I’m not the most macho of men. I don’t know anything about cars or sports (although I do have an avowed fondness for boobs and explosions). Still, there is a kind of silent male communication I can participate in.
I was passing out callsheets, and I happened to be walking about ten paces behind one of our actresses, on her way to set. She is, as you would assume, rather attractive (thought not so much as my beautiful, loving, and supportive wife who reads this blog every day) (Hi, honey!).
Anyway, a grip came out of the stage, carrying a box full of platypuses, C-47s, lollipops, and other things that sound like I’m making them up but I’m really not. He passed by the actress with nary a glance; just another day at the office.
Once he passed out of her line of sight, though, his face transformed. He nodded his head, ever so slightly, a smirk curling his lips, and he arched his eyebrows in a way that said, “You know what I’m thinking, and I know you know what I’m thinking, and I know you’re thinking the same thing.”
It was a beautiful moment of male bonding, let me tell you.
7 Responses
A platypus is a vice grip with a spud wdleed on one end (to facilitate mounting in a C stand or high roller) and two flat plates at the other end where the jaws should be. Those plates are used to grip 4 X 4 or 4 X 8 sheets of foam core or bead board for bounce light to provide a nice soft fill.I’m sure you have them on the east coast, doubtless traveling under another name.Nice story. I’ve shared countless such moments on set, and they really do help brighten an otherwise dull slog through the day.
While delivering something to Disney studios once upon a time, as I was walking to my destination, a crew member on a bike was zooming toward a friend, while doing this, he kept saying, “stay on target, stay on target”. I grinned, he grinned, his friend grinned. So many little bits of folk lore in Hollywood.
A platypus is a vice grip with a spud welded on one end (to facilitate mounting in a C stand or high roller) and two flat plates at the other end where the jaws should be. Those plates are used to grip 4 X 4 or 4 X 8 sheets of foam core or bead board for bounce light to provide a nice soft fill.
I’m sure you have them on the east coast, doubtless traveling under another name.
Nice story. I’ve shared countless such moments on set, and they really do help brighten an otherwise dull slog through the day.
lollipops and C-47’s, I get. I’m really hoping a platypus is some west coast term and I haven’t let some grip terminology pass me by.
Please illuminate!
Oh yes, I know that smirk! BTW platypuses AND lollipops? I gotta watch that show.