Understanding and using a Radio: The Basics

Everyone on production is issued a radio at the beginning of the day so they can keep up with what is going on on set, as well as being able to communicate with everyone without having to track them down to talk to them. As with any new job there comes a lot of jargon you are expected to quickly learn and a responsibility to work a radio with the correct etiquette. I know for me this was a big source of anxiety so I made a note of all the new phrases I was picking up and was expected to use so I could translate them into a blog post for you.

How to Use a Radio:

If you ever used a walkie talkie as a child, these are exactly the same but house multiple channels for communication. Each department will operate on a different channel so if you need to contact a department directly you just switch to their channel and talk to them.

Channel 1 will always be the main unit channel where the ADs operate and communicate everything from cast travelling to calling action or stating scenes have been completed. Channel 2 will then usually be your 'Go To' or 'Spare' channel so you can keep your questions and chat off of Channel 1. This prevents interruption to the running of the production and your conversation isn't being broadcast to everyone.

If you need to talk to someone directly you should state your name and the person you need to contact. For example if I needed to contact someone, the conversation would go a little like this:

Me: "Shannon to Joe Bloggs on two"

JB: "Switching"

*both change to Channel 2*

JB: "Go ahead"

Me: I can then relay my message. After the conversation is over either myself or JB will say "Back to one"

*both change back to Channel 1*

If you don't need to switch to have the conversation when the person you have asked is available to talk they will just say "Go ahead" and you can chat. If your query is anything longer than a quick fix question, I would advise you go to two. For me, I found it much easier to answer the radio than to contact people directly but after a few weeks you quickly realise it is much quicker and more efficient to contact people via radio rather than running around trying to find them.

Radio Jargon:

There is a lot of on-set jargon to get your head around and this list is definitely not a comprehensive list of every phrase you will hear but they're the ones I thought were important to note down and quickly learn while I was starting out. I have tried to break them down into three vague sections below with quick explanations as to what each mean.

We'll start with Copy or Copy that which simply means you have understood what has been said to you or asked of you via the radio.

Cast-related

• You'll often hear that cast are Travelling, this simply means they are coming to or from set. AD Runners have to keep tabs on where cast are and what they are doing so by letting people know over the radio that they are travelling and how far away from base or set they are allows everyone else to prepare for their arrival.

• Stepping on/Stepping off are used to let main crew know when cast and crew are stepping into or out of frame.

• When cast are no longer needed they are Released.

Crew-related

• A lot of the crew-related terms are pretty simple but one I thought worth noting is when Checks are asked for. Checks are performed by hair, make up, prosthetics and costume e.t.c. These departments have screens to watch what is being filmed and checks will be called for just before a take so the cast look perfect for the shot. Runners may also have to announce that Checks are stepping on if they need to step in to fix something.

• 10-1 means someone has stepped out for a toilet break.

Filming-related

• Standby for a take means everyone is ready to go for a take and are just waiting on final adjustments like checks, or for a plane to fly over before turning over the cameras.

• Turning Over means the cameras are rolling, everyone needs to stop moving and talking and be as quite as possible while the take is filmed.

• Locking Off is often heard when locations or camera positions are at risk of having cars or people walking into shot. Locking off simply means having someone standing by to stop others walking into frame.

• Set - cameras are set, focused and ready for the action.

• Action - is the cue for actors to start their lines/action.

• Cut - called at the end of the take, the cue for the cameras to stop recording, and usually a release for all the movement and noise on set.

• Reset - everyone goes back to their positions for the start of another take, the cameras may still be rolling or have cut and need to turn again.

• Going again is often a message relayed to crew that we are going again straight away for another take. This is usually swiftly followed by Standby or Turning.

• Scene Complete - simply the end of filming that scene, the scene is complete!

• That's a wrap! It's the end of the day, we have finished filming for the day. Sometimes the 1st AD will go through and thank key members of cast and crew via the radio on wrapping, especially if it's their last day with the production and they have wrapped completely.

SD x