ATL: Common abbreviation for ‘above the line’ and generally refers to persons attached to the creative of the Production (e.g. Actor, Prod Co, Producer, Writer, Director).
AC/NC: Commonly used abbreviation for Amazon Cut. Referred to as Network Cut.
AD: Commonly used abbreviation for Assistant Director or Audio Description.
Addendum: Standards and/or procedures with a more limited scope (e.g. standards and/or procedures for implementing the policy on a specific content format or territory).
Airtable: Online platform that is a spreadsheet / database hybrid.
Amazon Chime: Preferred application for Instant messaging and video conferencing. Request Chime when signing up for Originals Access.
Originals Access - email domain occasionally shared by Amazon on a need to know basis.
AMR: Commonly used abbreviation for Amazon Maturity Rating (Kids, Older Kids, Teens, Young Adults, Adults).
Censor Certificate - Ratings that certify the suitability of feature films, short films, trailers, documentaries, and theatre-based advertising for public viewing
AMXT: Commonly used abbreviation for All media excluding theatrical.
Ancillary Costs: Costs after content has been produced with no direct link to the production or creation (e.g., marketing)
Highlighted Script: Script that includes explanatory notes or comments. Such notes or comments including, for example, references supporting factual statements, and/or references to characters or events based on true events or people. This might also include research/reference links.
AOM: Commonly used abbreviation for Amazon Original Movie, usually referencing a US/India original movie.
APAC: Commonly used abbreviation for Asia Pacific.
Appendix / Appendices: Additional details and/or examples directly related to the document (e.g. chart or grid). Appendix pages are usually included as attachments at the end of the main document. Appendices is the plural of Appendix.
Apps: Software applications most commonly used on phones and laptops.
Archival phase: Physical assets in long term storage for future retrieval.
AS: Commonly used abbreviation for Amazon Studios.
Aspect Ratio: The aspect ratio of an image is the ratio of its width to its height, and is expressed with two numbers separated by a colon, such as 16:9, sixteen-to-nine. It determines the shape and size of the image being recorded or generated.
Asset: Any item that was purchased or created on behalf of the Production (e.g. costume, set, office computer).
Asset categorization: Physical Production assets created or purchased for Production should be tagged and logged as per Amazon Asset Policy
Assumptions: Document outlining Creative and Production expectations used in creating the production budget.
ASVP: Commonly used abbreviation for Amazon Studios Virtual Production.
Audio Description: Verbally describe the visual elements happening on screen by conveying plot-pertinent and character information.
Audit: Inspection of bank accounts and financial spending.
3P - Third Party - commonly used for an external vendor hired for a specific role on a project
3P Auditor: Third party auditor engaged by Prod Co, vetted by PV
AV: Commonly used abbreviation for Audio Visual.
BA: Commonly used abbreviation for Business Affairs.
Background Plates: A piece of footage filmed to be composited into a visual effects shot.
BTL: Common abbreviation for ‘below the line’ and generally refers to persons responsible for the day-to-day work associated with the production of a show (e.g. Production Coordinator, accountant).
Bi-Weekly: Every 2 weeks, also known as Fortnightly in UK.
Box: Preferred application to digitally organize, manage, and distribute production documents.
BTS: Commonly used abbreviation for Behind the Scenes.Most commonly audio/video materials that show how elements of a production are produced.
Call Time: The time the cast and crew of a production needs to be on the set, ready to work.
Camera/lens metadata: Information logged by the camera during shooting that includes details on file types and camera settings.
Cash Flow: Document showing how money is coming in/out of an account.
AWBI: Commonly used abbreviation for Animal Welfare Board of India.
Cast: The group of actors who make up a film or series.
CC: Commonly used abbreviation for Closed Caption - Subtitles for the Deaf or Hard of Hearing (SDH).
CCSL or CDSL: Commonly used abbreviation for combined Dialogue (or Continuity) and Spotting List.
Clearance: Process of acquiring the required legal permission for all aspects of a production. The necessary clearances can include sets, actors/extras, music, stock film, art, posters, products/brands, books, broadcasts, computer programs, dramatic works, photographs, etc.
COA: Commonly used abbreviation for Chart of Accounts or Certificate of Authorship. Chart of Accounts are the list of financial accounts used for budgeting and cost reporting. Certificate of Authorship refers to title clearance.
Code of Conduct: Agreement on rules of behavior for the members of that group or organization.
COI: Commonly used abbreviation for Certificate of Insurance.
Color Files: Files often in the form of .ccc, .cdl, or .cube files that provide VFX artists with color space transformations to ensure their work will match the show's overall color.
Compliance: Adherence to a rule, such as a policy, standard, specification, or law.
Concept Art: Visual designs done in the early stages of visual effects development.
Copyright: Exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, sell, or distribute the matter and form of something (such as a literary, musical, or artistic work).
Cost Report: Financial documents that provide a comprehensive breakdown of all expenses associated with the production. They are generated on an ongoing basis and provide current snapshots of the production’s finances as well as how the overall series budget is trending. A Cost Report should list the estimate final cost in each chart of account line item, broken out by Actuals, POs, and Estimate Cost to complete.
Creative production assets: Assets that are acquired through creation or procurement and directly support the creative production team. Examples include artwork, sketches, 3D models / prototypes, physical plans, physical scripts, blueprints, props, puppetry, vehicles, key set pieces, physical costumes, prosthetic molds, wigs, sculptures, weapons, decorations, paperwork from the show.
CTM: Commonly used abbreviation for color timed master.
Cyberscans: The use of photogrammetry to build a 3D textured model from a non-static object.
Dalies: Unedited footage that is collected at the end of each day for viewing by a select group. Traditionally film was developed overnight and viewed the following day. Also known as rushes in the UK.
Data Wrangler Databases: A set of files created by the VFX team during filming that logs set data for VFX shots.
DCDM: Commonly used abbreviation for Digital Cinema Distribution Master (Uncompressed DCP) as image-based .tif sequence. Delivered without audio.
DCP: Commonly used abbreviation for Digital Cinema Package.
Deal Memos: A short-form, binding document that memorializes the terms of engagement for cast or a crew member on a production. Often included in crew Start Paperwork.
DEI: Commonly used abbreviation for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
Deliverables: Any document, asset, or file that must be provided at the various phases of a production as well as at wrap (e.g. cost reports, releases).
Development Phase: The writing and project development period prior to set up of a production entity and funding of soft or hard prep. Development is commonly the period where the creative of the project is explored and evolved to a point where the Creative Executives feel confident about its ability to engage and sustain an audience.
Digital Preservation Master: DPF - 4K un-color-corrected image-based sequence.
Digital Source Master: DSM - files commonly known as Color Timed Master.
Disposition phase: At end of useful life, physical assets are sold, destroyed, recycled, or donated.
DKDM: Commonly used abbreviation for Distribution KDM – Targets Server (as opposed to DCP) which allows to manipulate and create KDM’s. Effectively a master key.
DocuSign: Preferred application to securely manage getting electronic signatures on all important documents.
DPSA: Commonly used abbreviation for Development and Production Services agreement.
Dubbing: In reference to post, is also known as Language Replacement. It substitutes a target language with each person appearing on screen. Dubbing services are recorded by professional voice actors who mimic the expression, tone and lip sync of the actor on screen but in a different language. In Japan this is known as audio mixing.
DTS: Commonly used abbreviation for Direct To Streaming (Streaming Movie).
E&O: Commonly used abbreviation for Errors & Omissions Insurance. Also known as a Media Liability policy.
EFC: Commonly used abbreviation for Estimate Final Cost
Entity: Type of Company (e.g. Amazon Studios, Amazon Alternative).
EOD: Commonly used abbreviation for End Of the Day. Also known as COB (Close of Business)
EPK: Commonly used abbreviation for Electronic Press Kit.
Equipment Rentals: Items rented from third party vendors (including crew) which are used by the general crew.
Essential Delivery: ED - Items prioritized within a project’s schedule (the bare essentials, different departments have their own versions). Marked with asterisk on delivery schedule.
ETC: Commonly used abbreviation for Estimate to complete.
Exhibit: Examples directly related to the document (e.g. templates)
Extras: Background actors who do not have any speaking roles.
Fare: The cost of an air ticket paid to the airline or common carrier, not including taxes, surcharges, or government fees.
FN: Commonly used abbreviation for Forced Narrative. Translated language with on-screen text in non-OV language, often delivered as timed-text or burned into picture.
Fully Executed: Refers to documents on which all necessary parties have physically or virtually placed their signatures.
SFX: Refers to special (visual) effects work that incorporates dynamic partical simulations (examples: water, fire, electricity).
Guest/Special Role: A role featured in only one episode of a series. Occasionally Guest/Special apprearance roles can be extended across additional episodes at which point, the character might be designated as a recurring guest star.
Guidelines: General statements, recommendations, or administrative instructions designed to achieve a policy's objectives. Guidelines are not mandatory, rather suggestions of best practice.
H&S: Commonly used abbreviation for Health & Safety.
Hard Prep: Pre-Production stage. Commencement of fabrication begins at this stage.
HD: Commonly used abbreviation for High Definition.
HDR: Commonly used abbreviation for High Dynamic Range.
HMW: Commonly used abbreviation for Hair, Makeup, Wardrobe. Another common abbreviation is H&M (Hair and Makeup).
HOD: Commonly used abbreviation for Head of Department.
Iconic assets: Amazon Studios (or Assets team) interprets iconic as being:Widely identifiable from or representative of the show/program, Used prominently on screen or by a main character, Recognized by the industry (i.e. costume design awards, major artists).
Rebate Location: A city, state, or country that offers a financial rebate in the form of tax rebates or refunds for using local resources as part of the production.
Intimacy Coordinator: An advocate, a liaison between actors and production, and a movement coach and/or choreographer in regards to nudity and simulated sex and other intimate and hyper-exposed scenes.
JPEG or JPG: Commonly used abbreviation for Joint Photographic Experts Group, an Image file format.
KDM: Commonly used abbreviation for Key Digital management: Unlocks screening encryption so that movie can be shown in theaters. Targets DCP for finite amount of time for exhibition purposes.
Kit Rentals: Items owned and used exclusively by the employee during the production for an agreed amount stipend.
L&D: Commonly used abbreviation for Loss & Damage.
LATAM: Commonly used abbreviation for Latin America.
Lead: Usually the Protagonist, in the series or movie. Typically the cast member(s) with the largest role(s) in the project.
LIDAR: Commonly used abbreviation for Light Detection and Ranging. Refers to the remote sensing method of targeting objects with lasers and measuring the time for the reflected light to return to the receiver.
Locked Budget: Refers to the final version of the production budget with all comments and revisions fully incorporated. This sets the expected final cost for the project and will be the number Amazon Studios will use to track all project spend against. Once Amazon Studios and the Production Company approves all notes from the budget, the budget can no longer be changed.
LOM: Commonly used abbreviation for Local Original Movie.
LOS: Commonly used abbreviation for Local Original Series.
LP: Commonly used abbreviation for Line Producer
EP: Commonly used abbreviation for Executive producer
Manuals: Documents containing multiple policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines relating to a particular activity (e.g., Production Manual).
Media assets: Physical assets that hold media content (photoshoots, video, key digital documents, etc.). Examples include DVDs (and other optical media), thumb drives, hard drives, LTOs, camera cards, and film negatives.
Minors: Persons under the age of majority in the applicable jurisdiction.
Miscellaneous assets: Examples include office supplies and awards.
Motion Capture: Motion capture, also called performance capture or mo-cap, is a technology that blends real life and animation, allowing to film someone live and transfer them into computerized form
Movie Magic Scheduling (MMS): Preferred application to Set schedules, break down scripts, and create comprehensive digital production schedules.
Flow Capture (Originals Access): Use Amazon’s unique version of Flow Capture to review dailies in HDR (with metadata) from any location on any devices
PSA: Commonly used abbreviation for Production Service Agreement.
Music Cue Sheet: A cue sheet is a document that lists all of the musical elements of an audiovisual program. Amazon Studios usesRapidCue®to create cue sheets
Nearfield Audio: Mixed for Home Entertainment.
Non-Subtitled: No subtitles for secondary non-OV language within film, includes foreign languages in addition to American Sign Language (ASL).
OOO: Commonly used abbreviation for out of office.
OT: Commonly used abbreviation for Overtime.
OV: Commonly used abbreviation for Original Version or language of a feature/project.
Overtime: Labor performed outside of the normal working hours, owed premium pay.
Outside Counsel: A lawyer or a law firm hired to render legal services on a production.
PA: Commonly used abbreviation for Production Assistant.
Clean up: Refers to a type of VFX work that involves removing/adding elements to a shot. Common examples include painting out production gear left on set or adding in elements for continuity in the edit.
PEAR: Commonly used abbreviation for Production Environmental Accounting Report. It is a tool to measure the environmental impact of production based on the energy used in offices and on stages, the fuel used in vehicles and generators, and the emissions from air travel and accommodations.
Per Diem: Stipend given to employees to cover living expenses when traveling or on location.
PFE: Commonly used abbreviation for Production Finance Executive.
Physical asset: Items purchased, rented or fabricated by production, which will not be expended or destroyed during the course of their use.
Picture Vehicles: Any vehicle used on camera in a production.
Pilot: The first episode of a Series; it can be ordered as a stand alone episode prior to a full series being ordered.
PM3: Commonly used abbreviation for Post Mastering, Media Management.
PMC: Commonly used abbreviation for Post Milestone Calendar.
PO: Commonly used abbreviation for Purchase Order.
POA: Commonly used abbreviation for Plan of Action.
POC: Commonly used abbreviation for Point of Contact
Policy: A formal, brief, mandatory high-level statement or plan that embraces Amazon's leadership principles, goals, objectives, and acceptable procedures for a specified subject area.
Post production - Technology assets: Physical technology assets, which may or may not contain, digital assets laptops, smart phones, tablets, monitors, printers, accessories, server storage devices, and network devices. (The management of the digital assets is covered under separate policy: tbd.)
Post-Production: The stage of a Production, after filming has wrapped and editorial officially begins. Includes all aspects of picture and sound editorial and finishing. Post Production ends and Delivery begins when there is a final file available.
PR: Commonly used abbreviation for Public Relations.
Pre-Production: The stage of a Production, usually includes casting, location scouting, camera tests, and setting up offices. Also known as ‘hard prep’.
Premium Economy: Available on international routes and some domestic aircraft, Premium Economy offers extra legroom and shoulder room, plus additional comforts in the seat. May include upgraded meals and baggage.
Previz: Early stage visual effects development used for planning out visual effects prior to production beginning.
Principal Photography: Stage of Production where the majority of filming occurs.
Procedure: A series of steps taken to accomplish an end goal. Procedures define "how", are the mechanisms to enforce policy. Also interchangeable with Process.
Prod Co: Commonly used abbreviation for Production Company.
Product Placement (aka Product Integration): Accepting or agreeing to receive payment or other valuable consideration in exchange for including or referring to a particular product, service or brand/trade mark within a film, series, or other audio-visual content.
Production Assets: Examples include furniture and local production set-up items (cubes, desks, etc.)
Production Master: Delivered by Production during delivery, includes Pro Res files with 8+ channels of audio, timed text, and audio description prior to final conform including split out narratives
PTO: Personal time off
Vendor Onboarding: The process of registering an entity onto Amazon systems before any financial transactions can occur
Stakeholder: All key people involved in a project.
Zero Balance: A dedicated bank account opened by the prod co for each project
Brand Integration: Placement of a particular product, service, or brand/trade mark within a film, series, or other audio-visual content.
Public Domain: Refers to creative materials that are not protected by intellectual property laws such as copyright, trademark, or patent laws. Public domain status can vary by country.
Publishing Platform: Refers to the website or host where information will live (e.g. Airtable, Inside Studios).
PV: Commonly used abbreviation for Prime Video.
QC: Commonly used abbreviation for Quality Control.
RapidCue: Web based tool used to create and file all music cue sheets for productions. It’s the preferred application to create and submit music cue sheets to performance rights organizations and collective management organizations.
RAW: A RAW file is an image file generated by digital cameras that contain uncompressed, raw image data.RAW files store higher-quality images than more common image files, like JPGand PNG.
Recurring Role: Typically, a character that appears in multiple episodes in a season but is not contractually obligated to the production.
Reference Photography: Images captured on set for VFX artists to review while working.
Respeed: Changing the timing of a clip by speeding it up or slowing down.
Retention phase: Useful life of physical assets beyond their original purpose for re-use (sustainability or creative), re-purpose (marketing), audit (regulatory) and archive.
Rigs: When in reference to VFX, Skeleton-type structure built by artists for computer generated characters or objects that require animation.
Room Rate: The cost of a hotel room or other sleeping accommodation per night, not including any taxes, surcharges (i.e. destination fee), or government fees.
Rooming List: A list of guests with arrival and departure dates at a hotel or accommodation provider. This list will also detail the room type, room rate, and room type for each guest.
ROW: Commonly used abbreviation for rest of world.
S&P: Commonly used abbreviation for Standards and practices.
Scenechronize: Preferred application to digitally organize, manage, and distribute production documents. Used to receive and review scripts, call sheets, production sheets, and wrap reports.
Scout: Assess a location ahead of filming, usually done in pre-production. In the UK it is known as a recce.
SDR: Commonly used abbreviation for Standard Dynamic Range.
Series: A project with content spanning across more than one episode. Defined in the US as a show with one or multiple seasons. UK – One season of a Production.
Series Regular: A leading role on a television show that is contracted to the show for multiple episodes and/or a certain number of seasons.
Showrunner: The lead producer of a series, often the creator.
Social Media: Websites and apps used for networking (e.g. Facebook, Instagram, SnapChat).
Soft Prep: Pre-production phase of a project - usually consists of an UPM or LP hired to draft a budget. Location scouts can also occasionally occur at this stage.
Split Tracks: 2TRK DME on Channels 9-14.
SRA: Commonly used abbreviation for Security and Risk Assessment.
Stakeholders: People who must implement the policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines.
Stock Footage: Archive and Library footage (photo and video) that can be used in Productions.
STC: Standard Terms and Conditions signed between Amazon & Prod Co
Storyboards: A type of concept art used to visually represent shots in a shot list.
Subtitles: Translated language with on-screen text in non-OV language often referenced as forced narrative.
Supporting Role: Any role that is not the lead role in the project.
Sustainability: Conducting business without negatively impacting the environment, community, or society as a whole.
Term: An amount of time (e.g. six months).
Territory: Region.
Texted: On-screen text (texted elements) remain Includes but not limited to (lower thirds, location markers, dates, etc).
Textless: No burned in subtitles or FN, no text graphics, including credits over picture.
Theatrical Audio: Mixed for theatrically with no loudness requirements, typically reel based.
TIFF or TIF: Commonly used abbreviation for Tag Image File Format, an Image file format.
Tracking: Process of automatically locating points from frame-to-frame in a sequence, allowing VFX artists to replicate camera movements captured on set.
Travel: Moving distant hires from their home to a filming location, transport of cast/crew from one production location to another for production related needs. Methods include ground transportation, air, rail, chartered transport, and accommodations at the destination.
UHD: Commonly used abbreviation for Ultra High Definition.
UPM: Commonly used abbreviation for Unit Production Manager.
VAM: When in reference to Post, it a commonly used abbreviation for Video Archival Master. Also known as Value Added Marketing (e.g. Trailer or special content in details page).
GST: Commonly used abbreviation for Goods & Services tax.
VFX: Commonly used abbreviation for visual effects. VFX refers to imagery that is created, manipulated, or enhanced with digital tools for any piece of media.
Virtual Workstations: Set up studio-class, high-powered virtual workstations for rendering and shot review directly in AWS.
VP: Commonly used abbreviation for Virtual Production. It can also be referred to as VProd. Discipline of visual effects work that utilizes LED Volume walls and virtual reality engines to capture fully rendered VFX in-camera live on set. VP is also a commonly used abbreviation for Vice President.
VTR: Commonly used abbreviation for videotape recording.
Watermark: A design on a page that identifies the owner of the document.
WFH: Commonly used abbreviation for work from home.
WIP: Commonly used abbreviation for work in progress.
Wrap: End of a Production.
X-Ray: A feature of Prime Video, gives users access to cast, music, and, on select titles, trivia details, character information, bonus videos and photos with just a click of a button.