Hollywood English Dictionary

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