Friend's Pics

steel wool, 4k sony slow mo, a lighter and youtube searching---Cinematographer/FS Instructor James Neihouse

Walkie Talkie Radio Etiquette on a Film Set

Tips for Proper Radio Use:
*Be professional
*Always use your name when identifying yourself. Common practice is to say "Go for ____(your name)" when someone calls for you.
* Keep your voice low when taking on the radio. Most crew will have ear pieces but keep your voice down. Especially when around actors. Just because they are not in front of camera does not mean they are not working.
*Know that anyone could be hearing your conversation.
* If you need to have an extended conversation (or private) take it to another channel. Do this  by telling the other person "Go to Channel___". For really private talks it's best to ask them to meet you in person.
*Production Assistants (P.A.s): If someone higher up than you has their radio battery go dead, give them yours and get yourself a new one. Same if their radio breaks. Be prepared by carrying a couple of extra radio batteries with you. You are being Johnny On the Spot by being so prepared!
* Always say "copy" meaning that you heard and understand. Without a response, people wonder if you heard them or not.

Common Radio Codes:
10-1: Going to the bathroom doing #1
10-2: Going to the bathroom doing #2 (It's not to be gross, just saying that it will take a little longer than #1)
10-4: I have heard and understand
10-20 or 20: Location of someone or something as in "What's your 20?"
"Copy": I Have heard and understand
"Do You Copy?": Did you hear me? Do you understand?
"Radio Check": Say this if you are not sure that your radio is transmitting or working. The proper response is "Good Check". If you hear someone ask for a radio check....respond!
"Stand by": Means that I am busy at the moment and will respond ASAP.
"Flying In": Always respond when asked to bring something or someone to the set. It lets them know that you are on it. Also lets us know that multiple people are not attempting to do the same task and wasting precious manpower and time.

Fancy Film Words

Mis En Scene (miz-en-scen)- Translated as "Placing on stage". It is the arrangement of all of the visual elements of a theatrical production within the scene or stage. There are generally 4 elements:
1. Physical setting and decor
2. Staging of the action
3. The way in which the elements are framed
4. The way in which the elements are photographed

Fancy Film Words

Mis En Scene (miz-en-scen)- Translated as "Placing on stage". It is the arrangement of all of the visual elements of a theatrical production within the scene or stage. There are generally 4 elements:
1. Physical setting and decor
2. Staging of the action
3. The way in which the elements are framed
4. The way in which the elements are photographed

Friend's Pics

Making ghosts for my short film #thehauntedhouse--Wes Alley

Friend's Pics

Fun times at Cape Canveral. Maven Launch of the Atlas V401 to Mars------Sound Recordist and FS Instructor Alex Ginzo

Friend's Pics

Shooting with the guys who make commercials for Quicksilver, Patagonia, Hurley. etc.. Needless to say, I'm Stoked to be their shooter, it's a good fit.-----Cinematographer Leo Jaramillo

Friend's Pics

The gods are favoring me tonight. The winds are real calm in Ave Maria, FL---FS grad Dan Abbott

Dialogue Greatness

The Big Steal (1949)

Jane Greer to Robert Mitchum: What I like about you is you’re rock bottom. I wouldn’t expect you to understand this, but it’s a great comfort for a girl to know she could not possibly sink any lower.

Film Crew Slang

"John Ford"- A technique where an actor walks toward the camera (downstage) in the course of a long take eventually walking into his own close-up. Director John Ford was know for utilizing this technique for dramatic effect and to eliminate the need for additional shots. John Ford is THE preeminent director of the classic cowboy film. You should immediately rent "The Searchers" (starring John Wayne) to see a truly great director in action.

Dialogue Greatnes

“Alright you Primitive Screwheads, listen up! You see this? This… is my boomstick! The twelve-gauge double-barreled Remington. S-Mart’s top of the line. You can find this in the sporting goods department. That’s right, this sweet baby was made in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Retails for about a hundred and nine, ninety five. It’s got a walnut stock, cobalt blue steel, and a hair trigger. That’s right. Shop smart. Shop S-Mart. You got that?”
-----Ash (Bruce Campbell) in Army of Darkness (1992)

Friend's Pics

Fun shoot yesterday!---Contributed by Kenny Pete

Film Crew Slang

"Birch"- A 4x8 ft piece of birch plywood. It is used as a "dance floor" for a camera dolly when you need a hard flat surface to roll over. Commonly used outdoors in grass, sand etc., it creates a stable and smooth surface. Birch is used because it is extremely hard and can take the weight of the dolly, camera and at least 1 camera person riding the dolly.

"Dance floor"- A floor manufactured by the grip department that helps a dolly, crane or other mobile camera platform glide smoothly across a surface.

Friend's Pics

My Daughter and I at the Enders Game premier---SPFX Specialist Ken Gorrell

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All work and no play makes Wess a dull gaffer!!!----FS Grad Wes Alley

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Night Ext---FBS Grad Jay Shropshire

No Respect

"On Halloween, parents sent their kids out looking like me!" 
Rodney Dangerfield (Comedian/movie star best known for "Caddyshack"1980)

Film Crew Sla

"On a Bell "- When shooting on a Sound Stage, a bell will ring telling us:

One Ring-Rolling

Two Rings-Cut
Usually the Sound Recordist has control of the bell.

Friend's Pics

Matt Pinfield and me worked together for 120 minutes today--Kenny Beaumont

Friend's Pics

Hey, shooting someone named Harrison. Who played an archeologist, a space smuggler, and a bladerunner in some movies. Humble Brag.---Cinematographer Leo Jaramillo

Friend's Pics

Working in the mock up of the Cupola which is on the International Space Station with astronauts Don Pettit and Marsha Ivins, while IMAX Space Team co-producer Judy Carroll and producer/director Toni Myers look on. It's been a great week here at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. Finally getting our next IMAX space film moving forward!---Cinematographer and FS InstructorJames Neihouse