Film terms

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What are these terms?

Supporting
Featured
Starring
Guest Star
Co-Star
Series Regular (self explanatory)
Principal
Lead
V.O. / Voice Over (self explanatory)
Featured VO
Stunt (self explanatory)
Extra (self explanatory)
S.S.E
SOC
Guest

Answer:

I found all these terms on resume's sent to me by actors. Problem? I can't seem to figure out what they really mean! I mean, some are obvious, like V.O means Voice Over. Self explanatory, right? What about featured? Still don't get that one. What's more, I've been told recently that some actors embellish their resume (guess that's a neutral way of putting it, how about plain lying? That may be more like it in some cases). Lots of people tell you to lie when you submit your resume, so it shouldn't be a surprise when actors do it. Problem is, when they send a resume with embellishments on the internet... Not good, because the fans will find out one way or the other!

OK, I'll get off my soap box. What I'd like is for someone to actually make me understand what these terms mean. I mean, I'm learning, but I'm not a professional in the movie biz. Nor are the fans! We need to see a different kind of resume than what you give the agents and casting directors.

I remember watching Call of the Wild, trying to spot Buffalo Child. Guess I didn't really know what he looked like at that time, but I'm still not sure I actually spotted him. In his resume he's listed as Principal. I thought that sounded very important, so I was surprised when I saw what could be him - a few seconds on screen at the end of the movie, when he's leading an attack on a white guy. OK, Gordon Tootoosis was really present in the film, but Buffalo? I'm really wondering what Principal means. To me it looked like a bit part!

Could someone explain these terms for me, and I'll put the explanations on this page!

While I'm on a roll, an actor who puts his/her resume online should take into account that many fans can't make heads or tails of a resume that is right for a casting director. The casting director wants a certain type of resume, while the fans want a different set of details. They want to know how they can spot you in the movie, and how they can get hold of the production to watch it. Also, they like stories and stuff that the papers won't tell them. They want to know as much about what happened on the set as they can get hold of. They want to know EVERYTHING! Principal? Doesn't mean much to them if they're anything like me!

Webmaster: My name is Annie. I'm not native, and therefore not an authority on native issues. I do make mistakes, so please correct me and help me make this a better site. NativeCelebs is about Native American Indians in the entertainment industry.
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