Hollywood Terminology: What’s A Table Read?

When you begin working in Hollywood, there will be lots of terms that you’ll hear that you may not be familiar with. Terms like blocking (the physical movements by the actors and the camera in a scene) or dailies (screening of unedited footage) are constantly thrown around and you’ll have to quickly become familiar with the terminology of Hollywood.

Once you book a role, you don’t always simply show up to the set, film your scene and then wrap. There can be lots of other steps in the process, depending on the magnitude of the project. One term - and process - that you’ll want to become familiar with is the “table read.”

As a performer, it’s easy to become fixated on your specific role in a production. But it’s important to take the big picture into consideration. A production requires cooperation, teamwork and creative contributions from everyone involved in order to produce a successful project. A table read is a great way for the writers, actors, producers and director to make sure that the script flows, and to determine if any edits are required. It’s important that this process is completed before shooting begins in order to save money and time.

Once the script is completed, everyone gathers in a room to act the script out – typically while sitting at a table. It’s an opportunity for the writers to hear the script out loud, and see what works and what doesn’t. The actors read the entire script and after they’re finished, the writers can take the notes they’ve made and apply them to the script. The script is then revised and redistributed to the cast and crew!

Don’t you just love the creative process! Want to learn more? Continue to read my blogs and visit our online forums ( http://Forums.EliteCastingNetwork.com ) for helpful “How To” information and other industry tips.