EAD (Estimated Arrival Date)
Used in production scheduling and equipment rentals.
E.C.U. (Extreme Close-Up)
Extreme Close Up. Usually a close up that goes beyond top of head and chin.
Edge Number
The identifying numbers printed along the edge of film stock, used for editing and matching.
Edge of Frame
The edge of the frame where the picture ends.
Edit Decision List (EDL)
A list of in and out points used to recreate an edit in another system.
Editing
The process of sorting and assembling all of the shot footage and cutting together a final product whether it be a film, TV show or documentary.
Editor
The person responsible for selecting and assembling the shots into a cohesive sequence.
Effects Plate
A clean shot meant to be used later for visual effects (e.g., background for green screen).
Eighty Six (86)
To cancel.
Electronic News Gathering (ENG)
Electronic News Gathering.
Electronic Press Kit (EPK)
An EPK is footage shot during the production of a project including interviews with talent and crew, that can be edited together and assembled into promotional videos. A lot of footage shot for EPK’s will show up on the news, entertainment programs, and as bonus features on DVD.
Promotional materials (interviews, BTS footage, trailers) prepared for media and distributors.
Ellipsis
The omission of a portion of time or action within a scene, often indicated by a jump in the cut.
Emulsion
The light-sensitive coating on film stock.
End Credits
The final screen text listing cast, crew, and production details.
End Slate (Tail Slate)
A slate used at the end of a take instead of the beginning, often held upside down and flipped.
Episodic
Consisting of a series of loosely connected episodes.
Establishing Shot
A shot that establishes a location. Generally a large shot of the location which may or may not contain signage.
Executive Producer
The executive producer or EP is traditionally the person responsible for the overall production but doesn’t have any involvement in the technical aspects. Today the EP credit may be given to a number of people, most commonly financial backers or studio reps. In television the head(s) of the production company creating the show are generally credited as EP or the person or people responsible for the original idea will be given the EP credit. The way that Ricky Gervais is an EP on the American version of The Office as he created the original British series.
Exposition
The insertion of important background information within a story, such as details about the plot, setting, characters’ histories, or theme.
EXT. (Exterior)
Exterior. Meaning the scene takes place outside.
Extra
A person hired to perform in the background of a scene.
Extras Holding
An area where extras can wait until they are needed on set.
Eyeline
The direction an actor’s eyes are looking in relation to the other actors in the scene.
Eyeline Match
An editing technique that cuts from a character looking at something to what they see, maintaining continuity.
Eye Light
A light used to bring out the eyes of an actor in a scene.
A small light (often a low-wattage source or reflector) used to give a sparkle in the talent’s eyes.
That wraps up our Film & Television Dictionary – Letter E entries. This glossary is a living resource—new terms and updated definitions are added regularly as the industry evolves. If you have a suggestion or notice a term we’ve missed, feel free to reach out and share your input.
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