Similar to "Striking", another term more common on TV/movie shoots. Used to warm people nearby that a light is about to be turned on.
(Bonus points to anyone who can explain why they would use the term "striking")
... I think that that phrase should be reserved for the most serious falling objects. Not someone throwing a cut of color off the pinrail.
"HEADS!"
--gel--
"oooh, that tickled"
---
I have found that while yelling 'HEADS' is the safest bet (single syllable, universal meaning), it is often too little too late. From the time a technician recognizes that something he or she was in possession of only seconds ago is now hurdling toward the stage floor at 9.8 meters per second [squared] and thinks to yell "heads!" (Sh!.. uh...bda... HEADS!), that thing is likely already pretty close to the ground. That, and as mentioned earlier, most people tend to look up when they hear "heads!". Those that do run usually do so blindly, thus risking running directly in to the projected path of the falling object. Proper training for all involved is key.
I've never dropped anything substantial in a theatrical setting, but when I do so at home, I usually stare at it in disbelief until it hits the ground. Obviously, I have some habits to break also.
I believe that he is talking about a bird.Sorry I don't get the reference.
I believe that he is talking about a bird.
Other common courtesy phrases (during set-up/strike/rehearsal) are:
Others?
If I have any tools on me that are loose (not attached to me) I let everyone know by saying "Loose tools overhead" and wait for someone to acknowledge that before I begin using said tool.
That's another that I forgot - if I can't tie a tool off when working at height*, I will call "Loose Tool Overhead". If I'm using a knife or something sharp, that becomes "Loose Knife Overhead," and the blade doesn't come out until EVERYONE is well clear of the area below and people are actively informing people not to walk near there. At school, where shackle pins and thimbles tend to be dropped from time to time, we also use "Loose Hardware Overhead" when making a point or similar.
*There are very few good reasons for not tying off hand tools to yourself when working at height. However, tying tools like routers and jigsaws to your body can impede the usage of said tool, and would likely be much more dangerous than simply letting the tool fall.
In every theatre I've worked in, if you say "Heads!" people know something is about to hit the floor, if it's something lightweight from 20' off of the ground (like a loose screw falling from a light fixture) or really heavy from 40' (like a brick falling from the weight floor). If you call "fore" or "timber" or "moby dick", I may glance over for no other reason than someone is yelling something, but not with the sense of urgency I would if I heard someone calling "heads".
"Fore" could be too easily confused if someone mishears someone yelling "Circuit 4" or something like that across the theatre.
"Look out below" takes too long to roll off of the tongue. Depending on what's falling, people may have only a split second to figure out which way they have to run (or if they have to run at all), so the faster they can recognize the urgency of what's going on based on what I've said and what might be going on and the faster they can figure out what it means to them, the better.
Other common courtesy phrases (during set-up/strike/rehearsal) are:
- "Going to black" before extinguishing all stage lights
- "Strobe" before firing strobe lights
- "Hot stab" before hot-plugging a stage light. Usually heard on TV/movie shoots where they often do not use dimmers, to warn someone that the fixture they're looking directly into may come on.
- "Fire in the hole" before a pyro discharge.
- "Behind you": A polite way of saying "Get the F- out of my way; I have to work where you're standing." Usually when carrying something heavy, or running or taping down cables.
Others?
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