Film Crew Slang

Grid- On a soundstage (a studio space where filming takes place) there can be a Grid hoisted overhead to support lights, scenery, and other items. It is made up of pipes and lumber. Grids are mostly used for sitcoms and weekly TV shows. Those productions tend to have lights that have been pre-placed on the grid. You might notice that Sitcoms and TV shows often look different from Hollywood Feature Films. The reason is that films tend to use lights on stands placed individually for each shot.

Fire in the Hole!: Cover your ears and duck when you hear this being yelled on set. It is what Special Effects and Props crews scream just prior blowing something up or firing guns.

Hero- A special item, prop or accessory. As in “Gimme the Hero Bomb, we are shooting the close-up.” This is a request for the best-looking bomb. We are about to cut the blue wire….or is it the red wire? Television commercials have Hero as the star. The big juicy burger that is 6 inches tall, steaming hot is the “Hero” or “Hero Product”. The Hero “Product Shot “is usually the last shot of the day.