I not too long ago labored with somebody named Elizabeth. Not Liz. Not Beth. Elizabeth. That’s actually how she launched herself to everybody on set. It was off-putting, to say the least.
It reminded of an outdated remark from a put up about script supervisors, by which I twice referred to them as “scripties.”
I’ve been heckled for utilizing Scripty. For the rationale you said that the place has a historical past of being demeaned. Utilizing “artful” because the protection is just not sturdy as a result of that refers to their desk/space/the snacks. At the least individuals name the artful guys by identify on set. Individuals will really say “the place’s Scripty” on set and consult with her and never her chair. She has no identify and it’s disrespectful. It’s a double customary. Identical goes for “The vanities”.
With that being stated, I think about a put up concerning the nuances of the division’s names could be fascinating.
In third areas the entire costumes division known as costumes and I’ve met some great crew members that get bent out of form if you name them wardrobe. Conversely in NY, costumes refers back to the designers and wardrobe refers back to the on set individuals and be forewarned additionally to not screw that up (it’s two completely different unions). I want I knew what it was in LA.
I’m not saying the terminology we use is unimportant. It’s. However not each nickname is a coded insult, both.1
Because the commentator alludes to, I stated nobody complains about calling craft providers “artful.” She says that simply refers back to the craft providers space, however I’ve heard and used it for the particular person, as nicely.
The factor about script supervisors, and infrequently craft providers, is that they’re a division of 1. So, the time period for the division will get conflated with the time period for the particular person. No grip would complain if the AD referred to as out, “We want a grip to arrange a courtesy flag!” as a substitute of naming them particularly.
A Lot of Names to Study
There are 100 individuals on set, and never everybody will keep in mind everybody’s identify, particularly early within the shoot. Certain, the first AD and the script supervisor are sometimes proper subsequent to one another on the monitor, and doubtless work together between setups, however individuals are fallible.
So that they neglect your identify, and “script supervisor” is just not solely an extended, ungainly phrase, it’s additionally sort of exhausting to say. Severely, strive saying it 3 times quick.
The instance of “costumes” vs. “wardrobe” is illustrative. We’re speaking a couple of matter of private desire on the a part of the topic, which the speaker has no means of understanding prematurely. To be bothered by such a factor is ridiculous.
I solely make exception for readability. Don’t conflate grips with electrics, or hair with make-up.2 And don’t ask a producer’s assistant to do a manufacturing assistant’s job, as a result of all you’ll get is sneer, adopted by a snarky tweet when you’ve rotated. What you gained’t get is any assist.
