Film Crew Slang

Setup- An individual placement of the camera (and lights etc) on the set. There are more or fewer setups based on what you are trying to accomplish. If you plan well, several different shots can be done from the same setup.

Pick of the Week

"They Live" (1988)- Famed horror director John Carpenter (Halloween, Escape From New York, The Thing) provides a different twist on alien invasion. Professional wrestler Rowdy Roddy Piper puts in an exceptionally great performance as a drifter who slowly discovers the alien plot to subjugate the human race. The manner in which the aliens overtly take over is disturbing and humorous. We all have experienced the feeling that we are being manipulated and deceived to further the plans of others. This film proves it. Besides, 2012 is an election year.

Best Scene: The five and a half minute long fist fight between Jon (Piper) and Frank (Keith David) over a pair of sunglasses. It is one of the most realistic of all time.

Film Crew Slang

"Walkaway"- A location where crew are able to leave the cameras, lights and other gear in place at the conclusion of the day (wrap) for the next shooting day. It is more productive and efficient than unloading and packing up each day. Not usually possible unless the location is secure and weather proof.

"Walkaway" 2- Another use of the term "walkaway" is when referring to a meal break without food being provided to the crew by the production. It is standard for production companies to feed the crew due to efficiency, tradition and union/guild contracts but walkaway does happen in certain situations.

Dialogue Greatness

“He was always a rather stupidly optimistic man. I mean, I’m afraid it came as a great shock to him when he died.”---Clue (1985)

Film Crew Slang

Process Shot- A shot that will be composited from 2 other shots. The background shot is referred to as the "plate".

Dialogue Greatness

"Monty Python's The Life of Brian" (1979)
Rebellion against the Roman Empire is being debated :

Reg: All right, but apart from the sanitation, medicine, education, wine, public order, irrigation, roads, the fresh water system and public health, what have the Romans ever done for us?
Attendee: Brought peace?
Reg: Oh, peace - shut up!
Reg: There is not one of us who would not gladly suffer death to rid this country of the Romans once and for all.
Dissenter: Uh, well, one.
Reg: Oh, yeah, yeah, there's one. But otherwise, we're solid.

Film Crew Slang

"This ain't Gone With the Wind": Hurry up! Let's get moving!

Pick of the Week

"All You Need is Cash" (1978) -Taking their cue from Beatles documentaries, co-directors Eric Idle and Gary Weis tell the tale of  Dirk, Barry, Stig & Nasty...The Rutles. Tracing the career of the "Pre-fab Four" from their beginnings in Liverpool to status as the greatest rock band ever "All You Need is Cash" combines the forces of some of the greatest counter-culture comedy minds of the 1970's. Monty Python's Eric Idle & Michael Palin teamed with Saturday Night Live's Gary Weis, Lorn Michaels, Dan Ackroyd, John Belushi, Gilda Radner , Bill Murray and Al Franken for a twisted journey through pop music. Look for appearances by Paul Simon, Bianca Jagger and Rolling Stone Ron Wood (as a Hell's Angel). Produced a full 6 years prior to the brilliant "This is Spinal Tap", you may consider this film to be the progenitor of feature length mockumentaries. Original songs like "Ouch", "Hold My Hand", "Cheese & Onions" & "Piggy in the Middle" are all send ups of popular Beatles tunes. Co-Director Gary Weis took over the film shorts on Saturday Night Live after Albert Brooks left the show in season 2. He has a distinguished career of real documentaries about comedians and music legends like Jimi Hendrix, George Harrison and Steve Martin to name a few. "All You Need is Cash" is a must see for Beatle's aficionados and fans of Spinal Tap. Below is a sample from the "I Am the Walrus" influenced Rutles song "Piggy in the Middle":

I know you know what you know
but you should know by now that you're not me
Talk about a month of Sundays
Toffee nosed wet weekend as far as I can see

Hey diddle diddle
The cat and the fiddle
Piggy in the middle
Doo-a-poo-poo

Bible punching heavyweight
evangelistic boxing kangaroo
Orangutang and anaconda
Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse
even Pluto too....

Film Crew Slang

Mickey Rooney- A slow, slight movement of a camera dolly during the shot. Literally "A little creep". This is for real!  Film crews create many slang terms based on humor and common experience. Sorry, Mr. Rooney.

Film Crew Slang

Locked Down Shot - A shot taken with the pan and tilt locks on the tripod tightened so that the camera does not move. Usually done for effects where camera movement would ruin the illusion. A simple effect is a cut that causes a character to magically disappear from a scene, but much more elaborate effects rely on a locked down as well.

Dialogue Greatness

"Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" Auntie Mame (1958) starring Rosalind Russell as Mame.

Film Crew Slang

Four-Banger- A large trailer with four doors leading to dressing rooms, production office and a crew bathroom.