The glossary · Set · deal · festival
28:82 PRESENTS
THE SIDE DOOR
THE SIDE DOOR
THE SIDE DOOR
67 of them, and what they actually mean
67 of them, and what they actually mean
Written + hosted by Brooks Darnell
Written + hosted by Brooks Darnell
Fifteen years as a working actor, and most of what cost me money was something I didn’t know yet. Somebody would say pin, or outside dates, or company wrap, and everyone in the room would nod.
Fifteen years as a working actor, and most of what cost me money was something I didn’t know yet. Somebody would say pin, or outside dates, or company wrap, and everyone in the room would nod.
Almost nobody gets into this business through the front door. This is the list I wish someone had handed me on the way through the side one. Each one is a short answer: what it means, and where it matters to you. Keep it on your phone for your next set, your next call with your reps, or your next festival.
Almost nobody gets into this business through the front door. This is the list I wish someone had handed me on the way through the side one. Each one is a short answer: what it means, and where it matters to you. Keep it on your phone for your next set, your next call with your reps, or your next festival.
Most of them link to the post where I explain it on camera. Tap Watch to see it.
Most of them link to the post where I explain it on camera. Tap Watch to see it.
Brooks Darnell
CONTENTS
01 · Who does what on set
01 · Who does what on set
The people, and who to go to.
The people, and who to go to.
Director / First AD
Director / First AD
The director owns the film. The first assistant director owns the day: the floor, the order of shots, safety and the clock.
The director owns the film. The first assistant director owns the day: the floor, the order of shots, safety and the clock.
Second AD / Second second AD
Second AD / Second second AD
The second AD runs paperwork and people, including call times and signing you out. The second second runs background and holding.
The second AD runs paperwork and people, including call times and signing you out. The second second runs background and holding.
Gaffer
Gaffer
Head of the electric department. Where the light comes from.
Head of the electric department. Where the light comes from.
Key grip
Key grip
Head of the grip department. Everything that shapes or blocks the light. Each department has its own best boy, its second in command.
Head of the grip department. Everything that shapes or blocks the light. Each department has its own best boy, its second in command.
1st AC / 2nd AC / DIT
1st AC / 2nd AC / DIT
The 1st camera assistant pulls focus. The 2nd slates, puts down your marks and handles the cards. The DIT backs up and checks the footage.
The 1st camera assistant pulls focus. The 2nd slates, puts down your marks and handles the cards. The DIT backs up and checks the footage.
Script supervisor
Script supervisor
Tracks which hand, which line and which take, and whether a scene is fully covered. They’re why your performance survives the edit.
Tracks which hand, which line and which take, and whether a scene is fully covered. They’re why your performance survives the edit.
Production designer
Production designer
Owns the look: palette, period, texture.
Owns the look: palette, period, texture.
Art director / Set decorator / Prop master
Art director / Set decorator / Prop master
The art director runs the department and its budget and builds. The set decorator fills the room. The prop master owns anything an actor touches or carries.
The art director runs the department and its budget and builds. The set decorator fills the room. The prop master owns anything an actor touches or carries.
Costume designer / supervisor / set costumer
Costume designer / supervisor / set costumer
The designer decides what the character wears. The supervisor runs the department. The set costumer is with you all day and tracks continuity.
The designer decides what the character wears. The supervisor runs the department. The set costumer is with you all day and tracks continuity.
Producer / Executive producer / Line producer
Producer / Executive producer / Line producer
The producer does the daily work and solves what breaks. An EP usually brought what made the film possible and isn’t doing the daily work. The line producer owns the budget and knows what you can actually do this week.
The producer does the daily work and solves what breaks. An EP usually brought what made the film possible and isn’t doing the daily work. The line producer owns the budget and knows what you can actually do this week.
Boom operator / Dead cat
Boom operator / Dead cat
The boom op holds the microphone over the scene. The dead cat is the furry windscreen on it. Wind on a bare mic is a rumble you only hear in the edit.
The boom op holds the microphone over the scene. The dead cat is the furry windscreen on it. Wind on a bare mic is a rumble you only hear in the edit.
FIFTY-FIVE MORE
FIFTY-FIVE MORE
That’s twelve of them. The other fifty-five cover the language of the day, casting and your team, deals and rights and money, and festivals and release.
That’s twelve of them. The other fifty-five cover the language of the day, casting and your team, deals and rights and money, and festivals and release.
Put your email in and the rest opens.
Put your email in and the rest opens.
That’s it — no newsletter. I’ll email once when the longer version is done.
That’s it — no newsletter. I’ll email once when the longer version is done.
When a definition isn’t enough
Bring me the thing you’re stuck on
Bring me the thing you’re stuck on
Bring me the thing you’re stuck on
Every one of these started as a question somebody asked me. If yours is about a real project, a contract, a role, or a film you’re trying to get made, book a session. You bring the problem. I tell you what I’d do, and in what order.
30
MINUTES
The Call
One question, answered properly. A contract, a decision, a script with no obvious next move, or a plan you want tested before money goes into it.
BOOK THE CALL
60
MINUTES
The Working Session
A project, not a question. Something real in motion. Send the material ahead and I’ll read it first. You leave knowing what to do next, and in what order.
BOOK THE SESSION
28:82 Cinema Circus. Surprise screenings and good conversation, curated and hosted by me in Los Angeles. New posts every day at @sincerelybrooksdarnell.
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Ciao.
Ciao.