Repeating instructions back can help this. While it’s always best to say “10-4 over and out,” if you don’t understand, don’t be afraid to ask again. Don’t accidentally switch your dials on, or turn down the volume and miss important instructions.
Be aware of your walkie talkie’s buttons. Don’t hit the button right when you speak. Wait a beat before you begin to speak. Are you saying something offensive? Just think. Concise your point into walkie talkie codes. Learn your crew’s voices to avoid constantly asking who you're speaking with. Cut back on jokes and other non-sequiturs. Speak slowly, clearly, and at a moderate volume. Give up your walkie talkie if someone higher than you runs out of battery. This matters more than you think it does. If you find you need more time (maybe the craft services is all beans), just ask to “Upgrade your 10-1.” While literally meaning you need to pee, using as this as a catch-all saves your film crew from t.m.i. #Celtx script turns into block of text code
On a film set, 10-1 is the walkie talkie code for the bathroom.
Kill – When something needs to be turned off as in “Kill the fog machine.”. Strike (or 86) – When something needs to be removed as in “Strike that prop” or “86 those C-stands from staging”. Standing by – “I’ve completed the task and am awaiting further instruction.”. Standby – “I hear you, but I’m too busy to reply.”. This is usually assigned to a key set PA or 2nd 2nd AD before the shoot. Spin that, please – When something is said on channel 1 that needs to be passed along to other channels. Going off walkie – When you’re taking off your walkie talkie or can’t talk anymore. Someone will catch it and say “keying” or “someone’s keying.” Keying – When someone is accidentally holding down the “talk” button on their walkie. Someone will reply with “Good Check” so you know your walkie talkies working. Walkie Check – When you first turn on your walkie talkie. Ethan for Nicky – ‘Ethan’ being your name, ‘Nicky’ being the person you want to reach. On it – When you understand the request and are actively working on it. Flying in – When someone or something is en route as in, “I’m flying in masking tape.”. This is usually an instruction to a PA who was told of a door or area they must block. Lock it Up – “Don’t let anyone through”. Second Team - the stand-ins for the principal actors. First Team - The principal actors in in a scene, as in: “walking first team to set". Eyes on… – When someone or something is spotted as in, “I’ve got eyes on Spielberg” or “Does anyone have eyes on my lunch box?”. Go Again – “I did not understand the message, please repeat”. Copy – “I heard and understood the message”. 20 – Location as in, “What’s your 20?”. 10-2 – “I need to go the bathroom” (number 2). 10-1 – “I need to go the bathroom” (number 1). Think of this list as a walkie talkie dictionary: Before you can give yourself a walkie talkie code name, you gotta speak the radio lingo.