Dialogue Greatness

Adams Family Values (1993) -Gothic comedy based on the comics by Charles Addams. Directed by Barry Sonnenfeld.

Gomez: Children, why do you hate the baby?
Pugsley: We don't hate him. We just wanna play with him.
Wednesday: Especially his head.

Film 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.

Film Production Radio Etiquette 101

Film Production Radio Etiquette 101

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.

This is only a small sample of the lingo used on sets. As you get more experienced in the professional world you will learn the language. Be aware that there are different variations on terms, so don’t look like a dummy. East Coast and West Coast terms sometimes differ. The British terms differ. Be willing to learn. When in doubt ask.

My kind of weapon.--Alvin Renz

PICK OF THE WEEK

Bellflower (2011)- Two drinking, smoking college pals build muscle cars & modified weapons hoping that Armageddon happens. Their goal? To rule the roads just like in their all-time favorite film "Mad Max". That's enough for me...I'm in.

Film Slang

Spritzer- No... it is not a carbonated wine cocktail on set. A spritzer is a pump/spray bottle of water used for misting an actor's skin to make it appear wet or sweaty. It is a way of controlling the "wet look" for continuity of shots.

At Noter Dame Staduim---Nicholas Moo

Playing in the mud.---Tim Yoder

Film Terms

Ambience or Room Tone- pertains to the pervading atmosphere of a place. (Often more of a psychological, rather than technical description)  Ambience is widely used as a synonym for ambient sound. Ambient sound consists of noises present in the environment.   In film and video sound production term Ambience usually means the background sound accompanying a scene.   Ambience is used for background sounds.  Sound recorded without dialogue on the location or set to be used to bridge gaps in the soundtrack. Each location has a distinctive ambient sound that can sometimes be difficult to match in the postproduction studio.

Shooting long exposure seascapes at Montaña de Oro State Park with Tiffen Pro 100 filter system - polarizer + ND 0.9 + ND Soft Grad 0.9, Canon 5DSr, 16-35 & 24-70mm. In live view mode, I treat it like a view camera, even use a Hoodman loupe to view and set critical focus - at 50 mega-pixels you cant be too careful. @tiffencompany @canonusa @montanadeoro @ Montaña de Oro State Park----James Neihouse, A.S.C

Time for some PIT Action with the Cobb County PD Police ACademy Mandate #46. Good Times---FBS Grad Rodney Louis Aquino

C-Camera today. 11-1 zoom and action shots all day long.---Louis Normandin

Prepping today @ Panavision New Orleans---Lou Normandin

Great to be working on a project with noel and collins. These are a few of the storyboards we are doing for a concept project. Great work my friend!!!---FS Grad Rodney Luis Aquino

A Fully Functional Lighting Board Created By #thomasedison in 1904... #lighting #philadelphia #history @ Hyatt at The Bellevue----FS Grad Noreal Layne

Qiamen District Beijing, where first Chinese Film was made in 1905.---Director, Jim Martin

Posting up on B Camera today. 📷 by Alex VanPutin at L.A. River Studios--Louis Normandin

Having a great time in Kuala Lumpur with the International ASC Master Class. We have a wonderful group of students from all around Southeast Asia. My fellow instructors, Dean Cundy, ASC and Theo Van De Sande, ASC are amazing to work with! Our friends at the Malaysian Society of Cinematographers (MySC) have been taking very good care of us and are outstanding hosts.---James Neihouse, A.S.C.

mornin'---Robert Tuscani

Nick Kramer is one of the best 1st AC's I've ever known, let alone worked with. He has perfection mixed with speed and foresight. Watching him and his apprentice, Leah work with Silent Precision, is rad. There are others who profess to work in this business and showcase gagets and an Instagram only proficiency, but Kramer never asks for attention, he's greatness is his invisibility, and it's such an honor to work with him.----Cinematographer Leo Jaramillo

Film Slang

Sometimes on a film set you need to work quietly but still communicate. The below is a chart of the basic hand signals used by electricians.

Electricians- Lighting crew. Also known as Electrics and Sparks. They create light.

The Electrician's brothers & sisters called Grips, create shadows, rig cameras, dollies and cranes. Grips are sometimes also know as Hammers.  The grips know these signals as well and have more of their own.