All terms
Glossary

Pencil

Also called pencilled, heavy pencil, light pencil

A pencil is a provisional hold on an actor's dates while a production decides whether to book them.

A heavy pencil means the booking is likely to go ahead, but until it is confirmed the actor is still free to take other work.

In use

My agent says I'm on a heavy pencil for the 14th.

Last updated 4 Oct 2026

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