Walkie Talkie Lingo

Hey, got this information by a fellow member in the film industry, and thought it'd be useful to anyone who doesn't know it yet.

Walkie-Talkie Terms

By Austin Williams

On a film set when using a walkie-talkie the language one uses is different vs. person to person or telephone communication. Below are the terms you need to know NOW to be able to not stand out as a newbie.

Copy that – I understand. Received, message clear.  (If message was not clear, you simply say I DIDN’T copy that.

Go for (your name) – When someone calls for you by name over the walkie, you always say “Go for _____”

Flying In – As quickly as possible I am bringing you what asked for.

First team – Your main actors on set for that day.

Second Team – The actor’s stand in. These are people who physically resemble the actor. (Hair color and length, height, weight, skin color, etc.) They are mainly used for camera blocking and lighting.

Bogey – A person who is NOT a member of the crew. Normally used when a bystander walks onto set without permission.

Traveling – Typically used when first team is walking/being driven to set. (Ex. First team is traveling)

Eyes – Means you are looking at or you know where a certain thing is. (Ex. Who’s got eyes on First Team?)

20 – Your location, where you’re located at that moment.  (Ex.  AD: “what’s your 20?” YOU: “I’m at KD College”)

10-1 – The restroom. Simply put.

Keying – When someone is accidentally holding or sitting on the “talk” button on their walkie headset.

Honeywagon – A big semi-truck and trailer with separate restrooms for men and women plus 6 to 8 rooms for actors. Rooms have been designed via SAG rules to include a work counter, sink, toilet and small bed.  Used by actors to rest and prep.

Lock it up – When an AD tells Production Assistants to stand at their lockup positions and make sure NO ONE gets by them.

Lock up – Place/position where a PA or AD is standing, making sure no one passes them, makes noise or interferes with shooting.

I’m asking for grace – Used when the 1st AD is asking the crew for an additional 10-12 minutes of shooting after lunch time has passed. (Remember, lunch is always 6 hours after general crew call, and a second meal will be served if you go an additional 6 hours after lunch. So, always eat breakfast! It’s free to you anyways.)

Lunch count – When a PA is asked to count how many people go through the lunch line. (Keep a tally sheet!)

Picture is up / Stand by for Picture – Spoken by the First AD immediately before camera rolls.  Make-up and Costume will have the ability to get in final looks to make sure everything is ready.

Rolling – The cameras are filming, and the sound is recording.  This is where you see the Second Assistant Cameraman use the clapboard to sync the camera and sound together.

Cut – The cameras have stopped filming, and the sound has stopped recording.

M.O.S. – Indicates that the next shot will be filmed without recording any sound.

Martini – Indicates the last shot of the day is next.

Hot Set – A warning not to touch anything on the set because it is still being used for a shot.  

BEGIN USING THESE TERMS NOW! EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT USING A WALKIE YET. THERE’S NO REASON NOT TO!  THESE TERMS NEED TO BECOME SECOND NATURE TO YOU. LEARNING THE LANGUAGE OF FILM IS CRUCIAL TO BEING SUCCESSFUL IN THE FILM INDUSTRY.