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Movie Terminology Glossary: O

Off book

When an actor has completely memorized their lines and cues, they are described as being off-book -- no longer in need of their script.

Off-line

The process of preliminary editing done in a lower-cost editing facility, to prepare a list of edits for on-line.

Off-line Editor

A person who performs the off-line work, completing preliminary editing done in a lower-cost editing facility, to prepare a list of edits for the final, or on-line editor.

On-line

The process of final editing and preparation for distribution of film, with edits often from a list of changes created during off-line.

On-line Editor

A person who performs the on-line work, who completes the final editing and preparation for distribution of film, with edits often from a list of changes created by the off-line editor.

Opaquer

An artist who colours in the individual cells of an animated film.

Open

AKA: Opens, Opened, Opening
The time at which a movie is first released in theatres. Movies will often open at different times in different countries/regions.

Opening Weekend

When a movie is first released in each country, its success is often measured in terms of its gross for the first weekend it opened. A disproportionate number of people usually see a movie on its opening weekend so box-office numbers are a good guide as to whether the movie will be a hit or not.

Optical Printer

AKA: Optical Printing
A laboratory machine for combining the images of one or more reels of film through photographic techniques. Contrast with digital compositing.

Optical Soundtrack

A composite print in which the soundtrack is recorded via the varying width of a transparent track which runs beside the sequence of frames on a print. See also advance.

Option

AKA: Optioning a Script
To buy the exclusive rights to a script, within a specified time at a set price, effectively guaranteeing that during the indicated time period, the writer will not share the idea with anyone else.

Orchestral Arrangements

AKA: Arrangements, Orchestrations, Orchestration
An adaptation of the score for all instruments in an orchestra.

Orchestrator

A person who writes orchestral arrangements.

Organisation Catholique Internationale du Cinéma et de l'Audiovisuel

AKA: OCIC, International Catholic Organization for Cinema and Audiovisual, La Oficina Católica Internacional del Cine
WWW: http://www.catholic.org/orgs/ocic/ Since 1935 OCIC has been officially recognised by the Holy See as the official organization of the Catholic Church in the field of cinema.

Oscar

AKA: Oscars, Academy Awards, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards
The term "Oscar" was coined by an anonymous person who remarked that the statue looked like their Uncle Oscar.

On the web: Complete List of Winners and Nominees, Official Home Page

Out-Take

AKA: Out take, Outtake, Outtakes
A take of a scene not used in a movie. In some movies, out-takes are shown under the closing credits.

Overcranking

The process of speeding the frame rate of a camera up, so that when the captured pictures are played at the normal frame rate the action appears to be in slow motion. Historically, cameras were operated by turning a crank at a constant, required speed; hence "overcranking" refers to turning the crank too quickly. See also undercranking, frames per second, judder.

Over the Shoulder shot

A camera shot over the first character's shoulder capturing the second character opposite them; commonly used to show a conversation from the first character's perspective.

Ozoner

Slang for a drive-in theatre. See also hardtop.