Backlots

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Areas situated behind primary buildings that are used for various purposes such as filming and storage
2. Spaces located at the rear of structures designed for auxiliary activities, including production and storage functions
3. Zones positioned behind main establishments that serve multiple roles like filming sites and storage locations

Etymology: "Backlots" is the plural of "backlot", a compound of "back" and "lot". The "lot" in this sense is the American usage of a plot of ground set aside for a particular purpose, and in the film industry it came to mean a studio's outdoor property, the open land where sets are built and scenes shot. The "back" simply places that land behind the main buildings, so the compound describes exactly where it sits: the area at the rear of the studio or establishment. Because the term is a straightforward pairing of two plain English words, there is no hidden story behind it, only a clear description of a clear location. Its usefulness lies in how neatly the two parts fit together, a yard behind the main building that can serve as a film set, a storage area, or a service zone, depending on the need.

Synonyms: backstage, background, behind-the-scenes, outdoor, set