5 Essential Terms for a PA

After a handful of gigs, I've picked up some of the basic terminology that's being thrown around on set.  This is beginners info.

I think these are the five most essential phrases to understand:

1. "Ten-one"
2. "Eighty-six"
3. "C-47"
4. "Twenty?"
5. "Points!"

1.  "The DP is ten-one."

Ten-one (and ten-two) means someone is in the bathroom.  Perhaps you can guess when to use number one and when to use number two.


2. "Eighty-six that"

This means that something needs to be removed from set.  For example, "Eighty-six that light."  Are you allowed to move lights?  Make sure before you jump on the task; a lot of equipment is only to be handled by people in the appropriate department.  Imagine picking up a case and not realizing that the latches are unbuckled...and then watching as expensive equipment spills out.  It happens, so don't let it happen to you.

3.  "C-47s"

Clothespins.  Simple as that.  I have heard that the name is derived from a catalog ordering number.  Either way, "I need some C-47s" sounds way cooler and more professional than "I need some clothespins."

4.  "What's your twenty?"

Twenty refers to your location.  Someone wants to know where you are on set, perhaps because they want to talk with you privately.  Remember, there are a lot of listening ears on the walkie channels...


5.  "Points!"

If someone is yelling this, they're carrying something and people are in their desired path.  Get out of the way immediately or risk getting jabbed with a C-stand.  "Hot points" means they're carrying a light, which is probably scalding hot.  Never underestimate production lights.