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procedura di emersione

Glossary entry

Italian term or phrase:

generici

English translation:

extras / supporting artists

Added to glossary by Barbara L Pavlik
Jan 14, 2021 10:06
3 yrs ago
36 viewers *
Italian term

generici

COVID-19 Italian to English Art/Literary Cinema, Film, TV, Drama Personnel
"Generici sul set:Le scene che prevedono l’utilizzo dei generici, qualora anch’essi impossibilitati all’utilizzo dei dispositivi di protezione individuale, dovranno essere ridotte al minimo indispensabile."

This is from a set of instructions on precautionary measures related to COVID-19 on the set of a movie. I thought "generici" might mean "extras" on set, from the context here and in the subsequent sentences, it definitely related to people, but my research has shown that "comparse" is used for extras. Could these be used synonymously, or does it refer to some other function such as a specific type of crew member? Thanks in advance for any help.
Proposed translations (English)
4 +3 extras, background actors
5 +2 Supporting artistes

Discussion

Lara Barnett Jan 20, 2021:
@ Barbara No problem, thank you for informing us of your decision. I just wanted to clear up the issue because people outside of film or never use the official terminology correctly, and as you will see from discussions, never believe it either! While "extra" is not an official or legal word at all, only a spoken one in passing. SA actually officially covers all background role types such as walk-on, crowd extra, featured artist, stand-in, picture double, special action performer and various others, like an umbrella term. So obviously, this the term found in Covid-19 regulations:

"Advice for Supporting Artists on Covid testing"
https://www.equity.org.uk/news/2020/september/advice-for-sup...
Mary Carroll Richer LaFlèche Jan 20, 2021:
Thank you Barbara!
Barbara L Pavlik (asker) Jan 20, 2021:
It's always difficult to decide how to award points to the "most helpful" answer when two people have given very helpful answers, and somebody inevitably ends up feeling slighted. I really wish, in this case, that I could award points to two people who were both very helpful in different ways, but I can't so allow me to explain my rationale. Mary Carroll was the first to help me understand the meaning of the word in this context, and Lara added to that by giving me the term that is commonly used in the industry. I ended up using supporting artist in the document, but because of both the fact that Mary Carroll was quicker to respond and solved the mystery for me, I have decided to award the points to her. I will attempt to enter both terms in the glossary, because depending on the context, somebody may find it useful to know that "extras" can also be used. Many thanks to everyone for their support.
Lara Barnett Jan 14, 2021:
@ Barbara (Asker) Could you give some more context please, and describe the purpose of the document or information that you are translating....?
Lara Barnett Jan 14, 2021:
@ Wolf The term Supporting Artist is ubiquitous. (With or without the "E" is irrelevant to me as I have regularly seen usage of both).

Also, even if this is not a legal or regulatory document. if it is instructions then it would most probably be for something that is industry-related, so it sounds like it is official in some way.
Wolf Draeger Jan 14, 2021:
@Lara, a few points First, you haven't given much compelling evidence of the ubiquity or dominance of "SA" in all English-speaking countries. Your own experience isn't the beginning and end of the story.

Second, my beef isn't with nonspeaking actors, that would be odd. My problem is with the word "artiste" which is pretentious in any context and is not an English word. I don't see why translators should pander to bad style when ready alternatives are available.

As for "artist", aside from the creative arts, that word should be reserved for people who are exceptionally good at what they do, so I don't consider it apt here either.

Third, it isn't obvious that Asker's text is regulatory or official in nature. The instructions could be from the studio or producer or whoever.

And look, maybe I'm wrong about all this, I don't want to indulge my inner pedant any more than I already have, but I do think the distinction between actors with lines and those without is the crucial bit here, in which case our back and forth is beside the point.
Lara Barnett Jan 14, 2021:
@ Wolf - sigh, sigh - context is regulatory/legal! I am sure this is the case and that you have reason to express this, but the asker is looking for a term to use for "precautionary measures", which i would class as requiring quite an official register. I have received no end of official documentation on Covid-19 testing, from various union/film regulation/casting bodies, and they ALL use the term SA - even if, as you say, it is not "deserved".
My point is that, regardless of the validity of the other terms, such as extra or walk-on etc, (which are fine by me colloquially or for wikipedia), in official documentation such as this, "SA" is the one that is commonly used throughout the entire film/TV industry and has been for many years - even globally.

I was not making reference to any sense of "sophistication" or whatever that you seem to think the term carries. Although even if the job does not deserve much recognition, it is still governed across the industry by regulations, pay rates and legal clauses, and defined under this role.

I imagine that the asker's document on Covid-19 is also based on such legal terms & regulations.
Wolf Draeger Jan 14, 2021:
Sigh @Lara, I'm simply contesting your claim that SA is the established term or that a union gets to decide what is or isn't the proper term in any field or industry.

A quick web search gets hits from mostly casting agencies alongside "extras" and "walkons", so even in the industry there seems to be a number of interchangeable terms.

Moreover, I don't see any good reason to prefer "SA" over more natural terms. Far from being a logical and idiomatic term, I suspect it is pushed in order to lend the occupation an air of sophistication it frankly doesn't deserve, with all due respect to the many good and talented folk who belong to it one way or another.

In any case, I still think the important distinction is that of speaking vs nonspeaking parts. Asker's excerpt suggests the former, which is why I'm inclined to think extras/walkons/SA may be wrong anyhow.
Lara Barnett Jan 14, 2021:
@ Wolf I am describing way the language is used in the industry. I am not sure how your opinion can really alter that. Artiste & Artist are both used terms, and have been ever since I joined the industry 20 yrs ago, I cannot help that either. People slip into one or the other out of habit.

"Supporting artist" might "smack" of dressing up, but in the end busy SAs often build up high earnings, and "SA" is ALWAYS used in FAA contracts, on set & in production, NOT just by agencies! If you feel strongly about it just contact BECTU (the union for this kind of work, and the organisation that defines terms), & possibly Equity, which is union that used to deal with it

Also, note all covid-19 regulations drawn up in UK use term "supporting artist"; you only need to browse the web to see it. I suggest that if this still sounds offensive to you, I apologise, but I did not invent the terms myself. It is also incorrect to say that unions do not speak for the global industry, as this term is used by both UK and US productions, the term IS GLOBAL & the unions work together.

In the meantime, I think asker is looking for officially used term from the industry, so how are such opinions relevant here
Claudia Sorcini Jan 14, 2021:
You should not use a capital letter after semicolon in Italian.
Wolf Draeger Jan 14, 2021:
Speaking vs nonspeaking part Seems to me to be the important distinction, whetever solution you end up choosing.

Now I've never been on a set, so I can't speak from experience, but two points nonetheless: (i) "artiste" is at best an outdated and at worst a pretentious or even insulting term, and I would avoid it at all costs; (ii) I'm not sure one actors' union speaks for an entire global industry, and the other instances of "supporting artiste" I've found on the web are used by a handful of casting or talent agencies, so not very widespread.

"Supporting Artiste" smacks awfully of dressing up or playing up a minor role to make it sound PC or as if everyone is equal, like calling a maid a household executive or suchlike. I'm rather suspicious of it.
Lara Barnett Jan 14, 2021:
Featured artists/extras (not bit parts) I have had first-hand experience as a supporting artiste for 20 years, while Extras, is tecnically now an outdated word..
Supporting Artists (or SAs) often get short speaking or featured roles, (which is probably what bit parts means in this discussion post), which pay a bit more. Supporting Artistes are now a busy industry with many agencies & union represenation etc. The union site is called BECTU, so this wil give better descriptions.
SAs often take on reduced parts when the film production wants to save money. and not spend it on actors fees.
Anyhow, "extras" is NEVER used officially, as the contracted roles, defined by BECTU terms are for "Supporting Artistes", which can cover "featured role" or "special performance", depending on what they do within the frame, or on the day of filming, & as stated on payment slips/contracts for each job.
Basically, in all officiaL docmentation, or legal/regulatory terms, including the more recent Covid-19 testing information, the reference is always to "supporting artistes", not to extras, which is colloquial anyway.
see: https://bectu.org.uk/article/covid19-return-to-work/
Wolf Draeger Jan 14, 2021:
Bit part vs Extra There's a difference, and if the generici are on set, they may be bit parts rather than extras.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bit_part
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extra_(acting)
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/generico

And http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparsa: "È detta generico o figurante la comparsa che può avere qualche battuta."
Barbara L Pavlik (asker) Jan 14, 2021:
Thank You! Thanks you, Mary Carroll! Please post this as an answer, and I will give you credit.
Mary Carroll Richer LaFlèche Jan 14, 2021:
generici I spoke with a friend of mine who has been working on set for over 40 years, she said "generici" are "comparse"
Barbara L Pavlik (asker) Jan 14, 2021:
Although here, there is a distinction made between the "generici" and the crew... "Quando in scena, la distanza di sicurezza tra i generici, tra i generici e gli attori, tra i generici e la troupe dovrà sempre essere rispettata, ove possibile."

Proposed translations

+3
25 mins
Selected

extras, background actors

generici is the same as comparse, if you would like another term "background actors" could be useful
Note from asker:
Thanks. I think "extras" is a lot more common.
Peer comment(s):
agree Fiona Grace Peterson
48 mins
Thanks Fiona Grace!
agree Lisa Jane
1 hr
Thanks Lisa Jane!
disagree Lara Barnett : "Extra" is not the official word used in regulations or guidelines, & is only used colloquially or conversationally, as is "background actors" . Neither is used in industry regulations or official terminology. See BFI guidelines on covid19 on my answer,
2 hrs
agree philgoddard : Wikipedia: "usually referred to as "junior artist", "atmosphere", "background talent", "background performers", "background artists", "background cast members" or simply "background", while **the term "extra" is rarely used.**
7 hrs
Thanks philgoddard!
agree Grosu Iuliana
10 hrs
Thanks Iuliana!
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
+2
2 hrs

Supporting artistes

The current term used for "extras", which is actualy quite outdated, is "supporting artiste" - spoken from the horses mouth here because I have been working in the SA industry for many years.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2021-01-14 13:19:32 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

"Advice for SUPPORTING ARTISTS on Covid testing."
https://www.equity.org.uk/news/2020/september/advice-for-sup...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2021-01-14 13:23:02 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

"For SUPPORTING ARTISTS, agreement of provisions should be agreed in advance of calls, and a minimum of full payment for the first day of sickness or symptoms should it occur. This is key to ensuring sickness is not brought onto set to avoid a day’s wages lost.

If a worker is asked to go home following a medical questionnaire, or if...."
https://bectu.org.uk/article/covid19-return-to-work/

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2021-01-14 19:07:56 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Maybe I should have pointed out, "extra", "walk-on" etc are all terms used colloquially. My answer is based on official legal/regulatory language.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 hrs (2021-01-14 21:23:38 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

"* in the first instance asking performers to do their own hair and make-up where appropriate. Request cast and SUPPORTING ARTISTS remove their own make-up where possible."
https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guida...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 11 hrs (2021-01-14 21:25:56 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Typo. My answer should read "supporting artist", without the final E.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 21 hrs (2021-01-15 07:35:55 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In these British Film Institute guidelines, covering safety during Covid-19 pandemic, there are 47 references to "supporting artist", but none made to other more colloquial terms that could be used.
https://www2.bfi.org.uk/sites/bfi.org.uk/files/downloads/bfi...
Example sentence:

"Supporting artists (sometimes called “extras”) are vital parts of any production: they help to create a believable set and can actually be a well-paid gig for actors keen to get film-set experience while they graft at their craft elsewhere. ..."

"Firstly, forget the word "extra". They are known in the industry as "supporting artists" or "SAs" and their job is to perform the non-speaking roles that make scenes in films and TV programmes look authentic: drinkers in a bar, passers-by in a street..."

Reference:

https://www.backstage.com/uk/magazine/article/everything-you-need-to-know-about-working-as-a-supporting-artist-69311/

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2004/aug/07/workandcareers.jobsandmoney#:~:text=They%20are%20known%20in%20the,soldiers%20in%20a%20battle%2

Peer comment(s):
agree Shilpa Baliga : "Extras" would be fine in an informal context, but here, "supporting artists" fits the register (rules and regulations) much better. I prefer "artist" to "artiste" which to me sounds rather outdated too.
1 hr
Thank you.
agree Elizabeth Macmillan
19 hrs
Thank you.
Something went wrong...
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