Industry Terminology Guide
A helpful reference for our on-camera talent
Availability & Booking Terms
Checking Availability
When a client asks to “check availability,” they are confirming whether you are free for specific potential shoot dates.
This is not a booking.
It simply means you are under consideration and must confirm whether you are available if selected.
Hold
A hold means a client is seriously considering you for specific dates.
- First Position Hold: You are their primary choice pending final confirmation.
- Second Position Hold: Another performer is ahead of you, but you are being considered if needed.
A hold is not confirmed work until upgraded to a booking.
Right of First Refusal (ROFR)
A Right of First Refusal is a courtesy hold that gives a client the first opportunity to confirm your booking before you accept another job.
It is not a guarantee of work.
If another confirmed opportunity arises, the client holding ROFR must decide promptly whether to book you. If they decline or cannot confirm, you are free to accept the other offer.
Avail (Availability Confirmation)
When you are placed “on avail,” it means you have confirmed that you are available should the client choose to book you.
Booking
A booking is a confirmed job offer with agreed-upon dates, rate, and usage terms. Once booked, you are committed to the project unless formally released by production.
Audition Terminology
Self-Tape
A recorded audition submitted electronically. Self-tapes must follow instructions exactly, including framing, lighting, file labeling, and submission deadlines.
Slate
A brief on-camera introduction, typically including your name and agency. Additional information (height, location, profiles, hands, etc.) may be requested.
Always follow the casting instructions precisely.
Callback
A second round audition following an initial submission. A callback indicates you are in serious consideration.
Television & Film Role Types
Principal
A speaking role in film, television, commercial, or industrial projects.
Co-Star
A smaller speaking role in a television episode, typically appearing in one episode.
Guest Star
A larger episodic role with significant dialogue or screen time.
Series Regular
A contracted recurring or lead role in a television series.
Background (Extra)
Non-speaking performers who appear in scenes to create environment.
Featured Background
A background performer who is more prominently visible but does not have dialogue.
Episodic Television Scheduling Terms
Outside Dates
Outside dates are the earliest and latest dates production may require you to work within a specific episode.
Even if your character appears in one scene, production may schedule filming anywhere within those outside dates.
DOOD (Day Out of Days)
A DOOD sheet is a schedule used in film and television that outlines when each actor works throughout the production timeline.
You may see the following abbreviations:
- SW (Start Work): Your first day working on the production.
- W (Work): A scheduled work day.
- WF (Work Finish): Your final scheduled work day.
These markings help production track your involvement across the episode or filming schedule.
Compensation & Usage Terms
Session Fee
A session fee compensates talent for their time and performance during the shoot. It may be structured as an hourly, half-day, full-day, or contract-specific rate.
Usage Fee
A usage fee compensates talent for the client’s right to use their image, voice, or performance.
Usage terms may specify:
Where the content may appear, such as broadcast, streaming, websites, social media, print, digital advertising, or internal communications
The geographic market, such as local, regional, national, or worldwide
How long the content may be used
Whether the usage may be renewed or extended
Usage fees and payment schedules vary by project and contract. Some are guaranteed as part of the booking, while others may depend on whether or how the content is used.
Holding Fee
A holding fee may be paid to retain certain rights, options, or exclusivity involving a performer between usage periods. The meaning and requirements depend on the applicable contract.
Residuals
Residuals are additional payments that may become due when a performance is exhibited or reused under certain union agreements. The amount and payment schedule depend on the contract, media, market, and extent of use.
Buyout
A buyout is a negotiated payment covering specified usage rights for a defined period, media, and territory. Talent should review the complete usage terms, because “buyout” does not automatically mean unlimited use in every medium forever.
Print Usage
Defines how and where images will be used (social media, web, catalog, billboard, packaging, etc.). Usage affects compensation.
Buyout
A flat fee paid for extended or unlimited use of your performance in commercial or digital media.
Local Hire
Talent who can work in a specified city without travel or lodging provided by production.
Union vs. Non-Union
Union projects operate under SAG-AFTRA agreements and protections.
Non-union projects are not governed by union contracts.
Taft-Hartley
A provision allowing a union production to hire a non-union performer under specific circumstances.
Call Time
The exact time you are required to arrive on set.
Wrap
The completion of your portion of filming.