Essential Showbiz Acronym List™
Part of the essential Showbiz Dictionary™
Essential Showbiz Acronyms List: Master the Language of the Entertainment Industry
The Essential Showbiz Acronyms List™ is your indispensable companion to The Essential Showbiz Dictionary™. This list is designed to help you unlock the meaning behind the many abbreviations used across the entertainment industry. Whether you’re a parent supporting a young actor, a new filmmaker stepping onto your first set, or an aspiring producer looking to broaden your knowledge, this comprehensive guide will help you understand industry lingo. From casting calls to financial agreements, every aspect of show business comes with its own set of acronyms—and we’re here to make sure you’re never left in the dark.
This resource categorizes the most widely used acronyms across areas like Acting Jobs and Auditions, Administrative and Financial, Filming and Production, Contracts and Agreements, Editing and Post-Production, and more. Each acronym is clearly defined, allowing you to confidently engage with industry professionals, understand contracts, and streamline communication in every stage of a project.
By exploring this list, you’ll deepen your understanding of the abbreviations that keep Hollywood—and the broader entertainment world—running smoothly. Whether you’re just getting started or are a seasoned professional, this collection will enhance your familiarity with key industry terms, giving you the tools to operate more effectively in the fast-paced world of showbiz.
Take the first step toward mastering the shorthand that shapes the entertainment industry. Dive into each category below, where you’ll find the acronyms most relevant to your interests, each one linking to a full definition in our Essential Showbiz Dictionary™ for deeper insight. With this guide at your side, you’ll be prepared to handle every aspect of your entertainment journey with confidence.
Learn the Lingo: Showbiz Acronyms Defined
Below is a comprehensive list of common entertainment industry acronyms and their meanings. Click the links to dive deeper into individual terms or explore related categories in our Essential Showbiz Dictionary. Use the double arrows in the title bar to sort the list by any column.
| Acronym | Full Term | Short Definition | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAG-AFTRA | Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists | Union representing film, TV, and radio performers. | Acting Jobs and Auditions |
| CSA | Casting Society of America | A professional association for casting directors. | Acting Jobs and Auditions |
| BG | Background | Non-speaking, background actors in a scene. | Acting Jobs and Auditions |
| NDB | Non-Deductible Break | Break time that does not count against work hours. | Acting Jobs and Auditions |
| ATL | Above the Line | High-level budget items like actors, director, and producer. | Administrative and Financial |
| BTL | Below the Line | Budget items including crew, equipment, and post-production. | Administrative and Financial |
| E&O | Errors and Omissions | Insurance to protect against lawsuits during distribution. | Administrative and Financial |
| ROI | Return on Investment | A measure of profitability for an investment in a project. | Administrative and Financial |
| P&A | Prints and Advertising | Costs associated with marketing and distributing a film. | Administrative and Financial |
| NDA | Non-Disclosure Agreement | Legal contract to keep information confidential. | Contracts and Agreements |
| LOI | Letter of Intent | A document showing commitment before a formal contract. | Contracts and Agreements |
| FYC | For Your Consideration | Campaign material to promote awards consideration. | Contracts and Agreements |
| DGA | Directors Guild of America | Union representing film and TV directors and their teams. | Contracts and Agreements |
| VOD | Video on Demand | Distribution of films and shows through online platforms. | Distribution and Exhibition |
| OTT | Over-the-Top | Streaming content without needing cable or satellite. | Distribution and Exhibition |
| SVOD | Subscription Video on Demand | Streaming service with paid subscriptions (e.g., Netflix). | Distribution and Exhibition |
| PPD | Pay Per Download | Films and shows purchased on a per-view basis online. | Distribution and Exhibition |
| ADR | Automated Dialogue Replacement | Re-recording dialogue in post-production. | Editing and Post‑Production |
| VFX | Visual Effects | Computer-generated imagery integrated into live-action footage. | Editing and Post‑Production |
| SFX | Special Effects | Practical effects used on set (e.g., explosions, makeup). | Editing and Post‑Production |
| EDL | Edit Decision List | A list that guides the post-production editing process. | Editing and Post‑Production |
| CGI | Computer Generated Imaging | Visual effects created using computer software. | Editing and Post‑Production |
| IP | Intellectual Property | Legal protection for creations like scripts and characters. | Entertainment Law |
| DMCA | Digital Millennium Copyright Act | Law protecting digital copyrights. | Entertainment Law |
| RIAA | Recording Industry Association of America | Trade organization for music recording industries. | Entertainment Law |
| DP | Director of Photography | Cinematographer responsible for the visual look of a film. | Filming and Production |
| BBE | Best Boy Electric | Assistant to the gaffer, responsible for electric work. | Filming and Production |
| AC | Assistant Camera | Helps with camera setup and operation. | Filming and Production |
| IFTA | Independent Film & Television Alliance | Trade organization for independent production and distribution. | International Work |
| PAL | Phase Alternating Line | A color encoding system for TVs, mostly used outside North America. | International Work |
| EPK | Electronic Press Kit | Digital media kit used to promote a film or show. | Marketing and Promotion |
| SEO | Search Engine Optimization | Strategies to increase online visibility. | Marketing and Promotion |
| PR | Public Relations | Managing the public image and promotion of a project. | Marketing and Promotion |
| MCN | Multi-Channel Network | Companies managing YouTube channels for creators. | Online and Digital Media |
| CMS | Content Management System | Software used to create and manage digital content. | Online and Digital Media |
| PM | Production Manager | Oversees daily operations of a production. | Roles and Titles |
| AD | Assistant Director | Responsible for managing the shooting schedule and crew. | Filming and Production |
| EP | Executive Producer | Person financing or managing high-level aspects of a project. | Roles and Titles |
| UPM | Unit Production Manager | Oversees production logistics, budgeting, and scheduling. | Filming and Production |
| WGA | Writers Guild of America | Union representing writers in film, TV, and radio. | Scripts and Screenwriting |
| SAG | Screen Actors Guild | Union for actors, now part of SAG-AFTRA. | Talent Agents and Managers |
| TA | Talent Agent | A person representing actors, securing work for them. | Talent Agents and Managers |
| DIT | Digital Imaging Technician | Responsible for handling digital files during production. | Technology and Equipment |
| HMI | Hydrargyrum Medium-Arc Iodide | Powerful lighting used on set. | Technology and Equipment |
| FCC | Federal Communications Commission | Regulates broadcasting and commercials in the U.S. | TV and Commercials |
| ISDN | Integrated Services Digital Network | A communication standard used for high-quality audio recording remotely. | Voiceover Acting |
| IVR | Interactive Voice Response | Automated phone system technology using recorded voice prompts. | Voiceover Acting |
| PSA | Public Service Announcement | A non-commercial video broadcast to inform the public. | TV and Commercials |
| DI | Digital Intermediate | The process of color grading and mastering a film in post-production. | Editing and Post‑Production |
| NLE | Non-Linear Editing | Digital editing method allowing random access to any part of a clip. | Editing and Post‑Production |
| ATA | Association of Talent Agents | Professional trade organization for talent agencies. | Planning and Pre‑Production |
| TMA | Talent Managers Association | A trade association representing personal talent managers. | Planning and Pre‑Production |
| GSA | General Service Agreement | Contract between talent and agents defining the scope of representation. | Planning and Pre‑Production |
| MOA | Memorandum of Agreement | An informal agreement outlining terms before a formal contract. | Contracts and Agreements |
| CBA | Collective Bargaining Agreement | Contract between unions (e.g., SAG-AFTRA) and producers, outlining work conditions. | Contracts and Agreements |
| WFH | Work for Hire | Legal term indicating that the work created is owned by the employer or clien | Contracts and Agreements |
| AICP | Association of Independent Commercial Producers | Trade group representing commercial production companies. | Administrative and Financial |
| AFTRA | American Federation of Television and Radio Artists | Union for actors in television, radio, and other media. | Planning and Pre‑Production |
| VO | Voiceover | Narration or dialogue spoken off-screen or in animation. | Voiceover Acting |