Hollywood Dictionary

Plot Device

A woman said to write like a man.
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Hollywood Dictionary


http://www.videouniversity.com/holywood.htm

VERBS:

to schmooze = befriend scum
to pitch = grovel shamelessly
to brainstorm = feign preparedness
to research = procrastinate indefinitely
to network = spread disinformation
to collaborate = argue incessantly
to freelance = collect unemployment


NOUNS:

agent = frustrated lawyer
lawyer = frustrated producer
producer = frustrated writer
writer = frustrated director
director = frustrated actor
actor = frustrated human


COMPOUND WORDS:

high-concept = low brow
production value = gore
entry-level = pays nothing
highly qualified = knows the producer
network approved = had made them money


FINANCIAL TERMS:

net = something that apparently doesn't exist
gross = Michael Eisner's salary
back-end = you, if you think you'll ever see it
residuals = braces for the kids
deferral = don't hold your breath
points = see "net" or "back-end"


COMMON PHRASES:

You can trust me = You must be new
It needs some polishing = Change everything
It shows promise = It stinks rotten
It needs some fine tuning = Change everything
I'd like some input = I want total control
It needs some honing = Change everything
Call me back next week = Stay out of my life
It needs some tightening = Change everything
Try and punch it up = I have no idea what I want
It needs some streamlining = Change everything
You'll never work in this town again = I have no power whatsoever.
 

DanielD

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Plot, are you sure you havn't been researching some of the companies I have worked for?
Some of those translations( The nouns and Common phrases) are identical to those that were used, from time to time.
Whether I was at meetings, or down in production, I had to constantly de cipher the company speak.
You had to be savvy of certain peoples use of words(And the accomanying body language, and mannerisms).
By the time I left my previous job, I knew some people better than they knew themselves.
Daniel.