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2D (aka 'Two-Dimensional')
General
... referring to objects, images, or spaces that possess only width and height, lacking depth. In technology, AI, and graphics, 2D represents a flat plane, often visualised on screens with X- and Y-axes.
3D (aka 'Three-Dimensional')
General
... creates the illusion of depth, making images seem to pop out or recede into the screen, achieved by showing slightly different images to each eye, which the brain fuses into a three-dimensional view, usually requiring special polarised glasses to separate the images for each eye.
4D (aka 'Four-Dimensional')
General
... an immersive cinematic experience that adds physical effects to a 3D (or 2D) film, engaging more senses beyond sight and sound by incorporating synchronised seat movements, wind, water spray, scents, fog, and strobe lights, making you feel like you're physically part of the action on screen.
4X Game
Gaming
… a video game genre that stands for eXplore, eXpand, eXploit and eXterminate, where players build empires, take territory and dominate the rest of that online world.
A
Academy Award (aka 'Oscar')
Film / TV
… an award given annually by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for what it considers to be the most outstanding film, performance or other creative or technical contribution of the year.
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (aka 'AMPAS')
Film
... simply called "the Academy," founded in 1927, is a prestigious professional honorary organisation based in Beverly Hills, California, that hosts the annual Academy Awards (aka 'Oscars'), representing thousands of motion picture professionals dedicated to advancing the arts and sciences of film.
Acting/ Actor/ Actress
General
... the activity in which a story is told by means of its enactment by an actor/ actress who adopts a character of performing fictional roles in plays, films, theatre or television.
Action Gameplay
Gaming
... a genre focused on real-time physical challenges, requiring high reaction speed, hand-eye coordination, and precise timing.
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... it emphasises overcoming obstacles through fast-paced combat or movement, often with split-second decision-making. Common examples include shooters, fighting games, and platformers.
Adapted Screenplay
Film
... a script for a film or television show that is based on pre-existing material, rather than being an original story created directly for the screen.
Ambient Sounds
General
... the natural, surrounding noises of an environment.
Animated Feature
General
... a film with a running time of over 40 minutes where movement is created frame-by-frame, and at least 75% of the content is animated.
Animation
General
… moving images created from drawings, models, etc. that are photographed or created by computer software.
Anime
General
… a style of Japanese animated film, TV or mangas.
B
Biographical Film (aka 'Biopic')
Film
… a film genre that tells the story of a real person's life, either in its entirety or focusing on specific periods or events.
Blockbuster
General
... a highly successful production, usually known for its massive budget, big actors/ actresses and marketing, including significant box office returns, often becoming a cultural event designed to appeal to a broad, global audience and generate huge profits.
Box Office
Film
... the total revenue generated from ticket sales for a movie, used to assess the financial success of a film and the popularity of actors or productions.
Budget
Film
... the financial plan or spending for making a film, covering all costs from script to screen, including talent, crew, equipment, locations, post-production, and marketing.
C
Cameo
General
… a scene or minority part in an event, performed by a recognisable personality.
Caricatures
General
... a picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated.
Cartoon
General
... an animation technique to photograph a sequence of drawings rather than real people or objects.
Cast/ Casting
General
... the group of actors, actresses, and performers who portray characters in a film, television show, or theatrical production.
Character Conception
General
... the foundational process of defining a character's core identity, appearance, personality, motivations, and background.
Cinema
Film
... the art, technique, or business of making films or the motion-picture device, platform or location where a film is viewed.
Cinematic
General
... techniques that create a high-level, artistic, and immersive visual storytelling experience, often characterised by grand visuals, emotional intensity, and intentional composition.
Cinematography
General
... the art and craft of capturing moving images for film and television, blending technical skill with artistic vision to tell a story visually.
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... this involves designing the look of a film through lighting, visual language (including camera movement, lens, composition) alongside the setting of the story, typically managed by a Cinematographer or Director.
Collectible Card Game (aka 'CCG')
Gaming
… a game genre where players collect cards into a personal collection from which they create customized decks of cards and challenge other players in matches.
Comic
General
... a means of providing entertainment (i.e. a person or drawings within an animated story.
Comic-Con
General
… a comic book convention or comic con is a fan convention emphasizing comic books and comic book culture, in which comic book fans gather to meet creators, experts, and each other. Commonly, comic conventions are multi-day events hosted at convention centers, hotels, or college campuses.
Comic Book
General
... a magazine or book that contains a set of stories told in pictures with a minimal amount of writing.
Comic Strip
General
... a sequence of drawings in boxes that tell an amusing story, typically printed in a newspaper or magazine.
Costume Design
General
... the art of creating, selecting, and styling clothing and accessories to define characters' personalities, status, and emotional journeys, while establishing the film's time period, setting, and mood.
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... this is a vital storytelling tool that communicates a character's identity visually without relying on dialogue.
Culture
General
... the collective representations of creativity that impact everyday life, shown in art, passions and the record of human behaviour and expression.
D
Depth
General
... elements used in a production, including complex characters, relatable themes, emotional resonance, or layered meanings, often through symbolism or research, that go beyond surface-level entertainment.
Designer
Gaming
… creatives who focus on the function of a game, creating systems, rules, and gameplay, and help with world-building (story and IP) to ensure it's playable, fun, and engaging.
Dialogue
General
... a written or spoken exchange of words as verbal communication between one or more characters, identifiable by either quotations in literature or dedicated spaces in scripts.
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... usually used for advancing the plot and building character.
Diegetic
General
... sound within the context of the story and able to be heard by the characters.
Director
General
... the creative leader responsible for the overall artistic and dramatic vision of a production (film, television, theatre), performing roles such as translating a screenplay into a visual medium by leading actors and technicians throughout the production process.
Documentary Feature
General
... a non-fiction, feature-length motion picture (typically over 40 minutes) that explores real-life people, events, or issues.
E
Exposition
General
... a descriptive element that introduces the key background information of a narrative.
F
Fantasy
General
... a genre of fiction which typically deals with magical or supernatural elements, often set in imaginary worlds.
Film (aka Movie, Motion Picture)
Film
... the art and technique of selecting, arranging, and assembling raw footage into a cohesive, meaningful sequence.
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... a crucial post-production process, it involves organising shots to tell a story, managing pacing, and refining performances to shape the director’s vision.
Franchise
General
… a production (gaming, film/TV) that is part of a collection of related media, or a media franchise.
G
Gaming
Gaming
… covering the latest in casual and professional opinions in the expanding gaming-verse.
Gaming Studio
Gaming
... a company or a specific development team within a larger company that designs, develops, and publishes video games.
Genre
General
... a category of production or expression, usually featuring similar characteristics that make up that category.
H
I
Illustration
General
... a picture, drawing or graphic that helps make something clear or attractive.
IMAX
General
... a technique of widescreen cinematography which produces an image approximately ten times larger than that from standard 35 mm film.
International Feature (fka 'Foreign Language Film')
Film / TV
... a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the United States, predominantly featuring a non-English dialogue track.
J
K
L
Live-Action
Film / TV
… the involvement of real people/ animals/ objects, not models, or images that are drawn, or mainly produced by computer software (computer-generated imagery - CGI).
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... involving filming in real locations or sets, capturing tangible performances, and is distinguished from animation by being produced "live" and in person.
M
Massively Multiplayer Online Game (aka 'MMO')
Gaming
… a type of online video game with a large number of players to interact in the same online game world.
Massively Multiplayer Online Game (also known as 'MMORPG')
Gaming
.. a professional football club competing in the Premier League, based in Manchester, England, and playing its home matches at the Etihad Stadium. Founded in 1880, Manchester City have spent much of their history in English top-flight football and are one of the most successful clubs of the modern era, having won 10 league titles and 7 FA Cups.
Mechanics
Gaming
... the 'verbs' of a game, the specific rules, actions, and interactive systems that define how a game functions and how players engage with the game world.
Modern Era
General
... the period of human history following the Middle Ages, generally considered to have begun around the 15th century and continuing to the present.
Multiplayer
Gaming
... a mode where multiple people play together simultaneously in the same game environment, either cooperatively or competitively.
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... these games can be played locally (same room) or online (worldwide), offering a social experience that ranges from simple two-player split-screen to massive, persistent, virtual worlds.
Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (aka 'MOBA')
Gaming
… an online video game where teams/ players compete in real-time to destroy their opposition's base whilst protecting their own.
Musical
Theatre
... a dramatic, music-filled written work intended for live performance by actors on a stage, which can also be translated to a motion picture.
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... consisting of song/ dance, dialogue and action that tell a story, usually designed to be watched by an audience in a theatre.
Mythology
General
... a fictional story which is sometimes well-known, rich in history and traditions that explain natural events, or to justify religious beliefs or social customs.
N
Non-Diegetic
General
... sound inside the context of the story but is external and cannot be heard by the characters (i.e. through a score).
Nuance
General
... a subtle or slight difference in meaning, expression, sound, or appearance.
O
Olivier Award
Theatre
... the most prestigious honors in British theatre, recognising excellence in professional London productions, including West End plays, musicals, dance, and opera.
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... established in 1976 and renamed in 1984 for actor Laurence Olivier, they are considered the UK equivalent of Broadway's Tony Awards.
Open-World Game
Gaming
... a format of gaming that features a non-linear virtual environment where players have significant freedom to explore, choose objectives, and play at their own pace, rather than following a strict linear path.
Original Score
General
... the custom instrumental music composed and recorded specifically for that film to enhance its dramatic narrative and emotional impact.
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... unlike a soundtrack, which often contains pre-existing songs, the original score is crafted by a composer to fit the film's timecode and atmosphere.
Original Screenplay
Film / TV
... a script for a film or television show that is based on an original story created directly for the screen, rather than being based on pre-existing material.
Original Song
General
... a piece of music—comprising both words and music—written specifically for a motion picture.
Oscar (aka 'Academy Award')
Film
... represents official recognition by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences that a film, actor, or craftsperson is among the year's best, marking a pinnacle of achievement.
P
Performer/ Performance
General
... how someone fulfils their job responsibilities, achieves set-out goals and has the required level of job knowledge, attitude and behaviour in their role.
Personal Computer Player (aka 'PC Player')
Gaming
... someone who plays video games on a personal computer (desktop or laptop) rather than on a gaming console (like PlayStation or Xbox) or mobile device.
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... often used with a keyboard and mouse for better precision, this format of game also allows for higher performance and customisable graphics compared to console alternatives.
Picture
Film
... refers to a motion picture, movie, or cinema. It signifies the visual, photographic element of filmmaking—the sequence of images shown on screen.
Pilot
Film / TV
… a single episode of a newly written TV series, produced to see if there is any interest from a TV network in buying the concept and investing in a full series.
Play
Theatre
... a dramatic, written work intended for live performance by actors on a stage, which can also be translated to a motion picture.
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... consisting of dialogue and action that tell a story, usually designed to be watched by an audience in a theatre.
Player vs Environment (aka 'PvE')
Gaming
... a video game content mode where human players compete against computer-controlled systems or AI.
Player vs Player (aka 'PvP')
Gaming
... a competitive multiplayer video game content mode where human players compete directly against each other, rather than against computer-controlled systems (PvE).
Plot
General
... the sequence of connected events, actions, and conflicts that drive a film's story arc from beginning to end.
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... it outlines what happens, arranged specifically to create cause-and-effect relationships and events that engage the audience.
Print Publications
General
... any work that is made available to the public in a printed format, like books, magazines, newspapers, or other documents.
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... the act of making information or stories available in a physical, printed copy.
Production
General
… the process of combining physical and virtual resources to create a work to be viewed or considered by a specific or broad audience (Film, Television, Games, Theatre).
Production Design
General
... the art of creating the entire physical world of a movie, establishing its look, tone, and atmosphere through sets, locations, props, and colour palettes.
Protagonist
General
... the leading character or one of the major characters in a play, film, novel, etc.
Pulitzer (aka 'Pulitzer Prize')
General
… one of the annual prizes awarded for excellence in journalism, photojournalism, fiction and nonfiction books, drama, poetry, and music originating from famous newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer.
Q
R
Real-Time Strategy Game (aka 'RTS')
Gaming
… the annual games in which NFL teams play several games that go towards the official season win-loss record and determine the team’s placement on the league/ division standing and the playoffs bracket.
Re-imagination
General
... the process of re-envisioning, reinterpreting, or transforming an existing subject, style, or artwork to create something new, fresh, or contemporary.
Rockstar
Gaming
... a premier video game developer and publisher, owned by Take-Two Interactive.
Role-playing Games (aka 'RPG')
Gaming
... a genre where players adopt the roles of characters in a fictional setting, focusing on narrative, character progression, and decision-making.
S
Saga
General
... a long, involved story, account, or series of incidents.
Sandbox Game
Gaming
… a video game genre where players have much freedom to explore and interact with the game world to their preference.
Sci-Fi (aka 'Science Fiction')
General
… a genre of fiction which typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology.
Sequel
General
... a published, produced, or recorded work that continues the story or develops the theme of an earlier story.
Setting
General
... the specific time, place, and context (like culture, era, social conditions) where the story unfolds, acting as more than just a backdrop.
Score
General
... a written or auditory version of music usually composed using instruments or orchestral performance to emphasise the intensity of moments and heighten the emotions and actions happening on-screen or on-stage.
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... often non-diegetic, meaning that the characters or subjects within the media can’t hear it.
Simulation Game (aka 'SIM')
Gaming
… a video game genre that simulates real life experiences (e.g. racing, flying).
Skins
Gaming
... a cosmetic, downloadable, or unlockable item that changes the visual appearance of a character, weapon, or item without altering its functional gameplay stats.
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... ranging from simple colour swaps to entirely new designs, they allow for personalisation, status signalling, and aesthetic customisation, acting as a major monetisation tool in paid and free-to-play games.
Sound Design
General
... the creative and technical process of producing audio elements (like effects, ambience, and music) for media, using recording, synthesis, and editing to build immersive soundscapes that enhance storytelling, emotion, and realism for films, games, theatre, apps, and more, going beyond simple noise to craft auditory worlds.
Stage
Theatre
... a designated space designed for performances where actors/ performers present productions to an audience.
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... serving as the focal point for artistic expression, with various fixtures for entertainment and spectacle.
Star
General
... a famous, successful, or talented individual in the entertainment performance space.
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... they are the main attraction, earning exceptional celebrity, and are highlighted in the production.
Still Life
General
… a representation of natural or manmade objects.
Story Arc
General
… provides a clear beginning, middle, and end, and guides the flow of events.
Storyline
General
... the sequence of events in a story.
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... a detailing of the narrative of the story.
Stream
General
... the activity of accessing multi-media (video, audio, games) over the internet, allowing you to watch or listen instantly without downloading the content.
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... the real-time delivery of media through data sent in continuous small chunks that play as they arrive.
Supporting Act/ Actor/ Actress
General
... the enactment by an actor/ actress who adopts a character secondary to the lead, performing fictional roles in plays, films, theatre or television.
Synopsis
General
... a summary of a plot, outlining the main characters, setting, and key events from beginning to end.
T
Take-Two Interactive Software
Gaming
... a major American video game holding company that develops, publishes, and markets interactive entertainment through popular labels like Rockstar Games, 2K, and Zynga.
Tale
General
... a story, especially one based on fiction or is difficult to believe.
Theatre
Theatre
... a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers/ actors on a stage, to present experiences of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a location for such productions.
Thematic
General
... grouped by topic or related to a theme.
Thriller
General
… an entertainment genre commonly associated with Film, Gaming and TV that tells the story of excitement, suspense, and anticipation, keeping audiences on the edge using high stakes, danger, and uncertainty.
Trailer
General
… highlight scenes in a short clip from an upcoming production to generate interest.
Turn-Based Strategy Game (aka 'TBS')
Gaming
… a video game genre where players take turns, rather than acting simultaneously. Players control units and structures to capture areas of the map and destroy their opponents.
Typography
General
… the art and technique of designing, arranging, and printing with type.
U
V
Video Game
Gaming
... an interactive electronic game played by manipulating images on a display screen (TV, monitor, mobile device) using a controller, keyboard, or touchscreen.
Visual Art
General
… the planning, experimentation, and creation of art and design.
Visual Effects (aka 'VFX')
General
... the process of creating, altering, or enhancing imagery in post-production to blend computer-generated, digital, or, in some cases, enhanced practical elements with live-action footage.
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​... used to create scenes that are too dangerous, expensive, or impossible to film, such as fantastical creatures, massive explosions, or futuristic environments.
Visual Language
General
... a system of communication using visual elements like colors, shapes, lines, and composition to convey meaning, ideas, and emotions.
W
World Building
General
... the process of creating a detailed, coherent, and believable imaginary world through a story (virtual or physical), complete with its own history, geography, cultures, species, rules, and systems, usually used in fictional stories, games, films, or other media.
X
XP (aka 'Experience Points')
Gaming
… a unit of measurement in role-playing games (RPGs) that tracks a player's progress.

... players earn XP by completing tasks, overcoming obstacles, and role-playing and level up when they gain enough XP, which gives them access to better assets in the game.