Saturday, December 30, 2023
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Friday, December 8, 2023
Friday, December 1, 2023
Wednesday, November 15, 2023
Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Friday, October 20, 2023
Film Crew Slang
Bump: A bump is a one-time pay bonus offered to a crew member for a specialty service performed such as a stunt, operating special equipment or being a Special Business Extra.
Special Business Extra: An extra who has been coached by the director to perform a specific action during a scene. They might be answering a telephone, dropping an item, guarding a door etc. In the credits you will see them listed as Policeman#1 or Man on Phone etc.
Extra: Actors who may walk around or appear in a scene but do not speak on screen. They are background and some may mime speaking.
Thursday, October 19, 2023
Friday, October 6, 2023
Favorite Flicks
"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.
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 tim
Tuesday, September 26, 2023
Monday, September 25, 2023
Film Set Radio Etiquette
Tips for Proper Radio Use:
*Always use your name when identifying yourself. Common practice is to say "Go for ____(your name)" when someone calls for you. If you are calling someone, identify yourself and call for them.
* 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.
*Production Assistants (P.A.s): If someone higher up than you has their radio battery go dead be prepared by carrying a couple of extra radio batteries with you. You are being Johnny On the Spot by being so prepared!
Common Radio Codes & Lingo
10-1: Going to the bathroom for #1. Sometimes people say 10-2, meaning it will take a little longer...
10-4: I have heard and understand. Same as "Copy".
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.
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Friday, September 15, 2023
Friday, September 8, 2023
Tuesday, August 29, 2023
Film Set Radio Etiquette
Tips for Proper Radio Use:
*Always use your name when identifying yourself. Common practice is to say "Go for ____(your name)" when someone calls for you. If you are calling someone, identify yourself and call for them.
* 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.
*Production Assistants (P.A.s): If someone higher up than you has their radio battery go dead be prepared by carrying a couple of extra radio batteries with you. You are being Johnny On the Spot by being so prepared!
Common Radio Codes & Lingo
10-1: Going to the bathroom for #1. Sometimes people say 10-2, meaning it will take a little longer...
10-4: I have heard and understand. Same as "Copy".
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.
Sunday, August 20, 2023
Film Crew Lingo/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.
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.