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M.O.S. / MOS (Mit Out Sound)
No sound recorded. Commonly attributed to early German-accented directors saying “Mit Out Sound.”
M.O.W. (Movie of the Week)
An often low budget movie made for television. Movies of the Week are sometimes based on true events or correspond with a particular time of the year, such as Christmas.
Magazine
This is a light-tight chamber designed to hold film and move the film stock through the film camera for exposure. In most film cameras the magazine is a removable piece of equipment. Opening the magazine and exposing or “flashing” it to light can potentially ruin your raw film. The technique of “flashing” can also be used to create a washed out effect in your film.
Magic Arm
An adjustable arm that can be used to mount small lights and/or cameras.
Magic Hour
That “magical” time characterized by warm and soft natural light that occurs for roughly 30 minutes around sunset and sunrise.
Magic Lantern
Early film projector. In modern digital workflows, also shorthand for DSLR hacking firmware used to expand camera features.
Magnetic Soundtrack (Mag Track)
A strip of magnetic tape used on film for recording synchronized sound, widely used before digital audio.
Main Unit
The primary filming unit, handling principal photography (as opposed to 2nd unit, insert unit, etc.).
Makeup Test
A camera test of makeup and hair under lighting conditions to check how it reads on film.
Managing Editor
In broadcast and television, the person overseeing editorial output, content decisions, and deadlines.
Mark
- Something placed on the ground (tape, chalk, stick etc.) used to let the talent know where they should stand for the shot.
- The name for clapping the slate to sync sound and picture.
Marking Out (Strike Marks)
When tape marks on the floor are removed after a scene is wrapped.
Marking the Script
The process by which the script supervisor tracks continuity, take selection, and coverage notes.
Martini Shot
Martini refers to the final shot of the day. It comes from the idea that at the end of the day the crew would go out for drinks or shots. Also known as the Window shot.
The final shot setup of the day.
Mask
Covering or blocking out a portion of the frame with black, white or another colour.
Masking
The process of covering parts of the projected or digital image with black bars, commonly used to change aspect ratios.
Match Action
A cut made to preserve the continuity of movement between two shots.
Match Cut
A transition where there is a cut between two shots that are matched by visual or metaphorical similarities.
An edit where a visual or audio element carries over between scenes to imply continuity or contrast.
Master Shot
A wide shot that covers the entire scene from start to finish, used as a base for editing coverage.
Matte Box
An attachment used on the end of a lens to block light sources from preventing glare and lens flare. Most matte boxes also have slots where various filters can be inserted in order to create in-camera effects.
Matte Painting
A hand or digitally painted landscape, set or location that allows the filmmakers to create the illusion of a location or environment that does not exist or would be too costly or impossible to build or visit.
Meal Penalty
On most North American sets crews must be given a first meal break within 6 hours from call time. If this is not met there is a meal penalty amount that is paid to the crew until this is met.
Meat Axe
A large and very long flag used for cutting and/or blocking light.
Meat Flag
See above.
Mechanical FX (Practical Effects)
On-set physical effects such as wind, rain, smoke, fire, or breakaway glass.
Medium Close Up (MCU)
A Medium Close Up is half way between a Medium and a Close Up. This is usually capturing some of the torso and up.
Method Acting
Based on the system evolved by Stanislavsky and brought into prominence in the US in the 1930s, method acting is a technique where the actor aspires to achieve emotional identification with a part. Method acting was extensively developed at the Actors’ Studio in New York City, by Elia Kazan and Lee Strasberg. Some famous “Method” actors include Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Daniel Day-Lewis & Dustin Hoffman.
Mickey Rooney
- A famous, short actor.
- In Dolly Grip terminology, this means “a short creep”, basically a short and slow movement of the camera.
Mid Shot (Medium Shot)
Between a medium and close-up; usually head and shoulders.
Mill (The Mill)
Industry term for a major VFX house; also slang for post-production visual effects work.
Mini DV
A small-format digital video tape standard widely used in the late 1990s and 2000s.
Miniature
Largely replaced by CGI, miniature models were a common way of creating various effects, such as explosions, floods or fires. Although almost completely replaced by CGI, there are still many modern filmmakers that still use this technique to great effect.
Mirror Shot
A cheated shot where the viewers see the actor from the perspective of a non-existent mirror. In these shots the actor is not actually looking into a mirror and seeing themselves, they are actually looking toward the camera, but reacting as if they are seeing themselves in an imaginary mirror.
Mise en scène
The arrangement of scenery and stage properties in a play.
Mockumentary
A fictional film presented in documentary style.
MoCo (Motion Control)
A rig or system used for repeatable, programmable camera moves, often for VFX or compositing.
Model Shot
A shot using scale models (aeroplanes, spaceships, buildings), often combined with live-action footage.
Montage
A series of shots, usually set to music that builds toward something.
Motion Blur
The blur seen in moving objects due to shutter speed; can be reduced or enhanced stylistically.
Motion Capture (MoCap)
Recording live actors’ movements for digital animation.
Motion Picture Association (MPA/MPAA)
The American trade association that administers film ratings and represents major studios.
Motivated Lighting
Lighting motivated by an on-screen source, such as a lamp or window, to make the light feel natural.
Moving Master
A master shot that includes camera movement, often replacing the need for additional coverage.
Movie Magic
Common software suite used for budgeting and scheduling in film production.
Moviola
A linear editing machine used before modern, computer-based, non-linear editing was created.
Motif
A recurring element (visual, audio, or thematic) in a film that reinforces its message or mood.
Multi-Camera
A production technique using multiple cameras shooting simultaneously, common in television, sitcoms, and live events.
Mono
Single-channel audio, as opposed to stereo or surround.
Mute
Removing sound from a track; also slang for a shot with no sound recording.
hat wraps up our Film & Television Dictionary – Letter M 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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