I recently worked with someone named Elizabeth. Not Liz. Not Beth. Elizabeth. That’s literally how she introduced herself to everyone on set. It was off-putting, to say the least.
It reminded of an old comment from a post about script supervisors, in which I twice referred to them as “scripties.”
I’ve been heckled for using Scripty. For the reason you stated that the position has a history of being demeaned. Using “crafty” as the defense is not strong because that refers to their table/area/the snacks. At least people call the crafty guys by name on set. People will actually say “where’s Scripty” on set and refer to her and not her chair. She has no name and it’s disrespectful. It’s a double standard. Same goes for “The vanities”.
With that being said, I imagine a post about the nuances of the department’s names would be interesting.
In third areas the whole costumes department is called costumes and I’ve met some wonderful crew members that get bent out of shape when you call them wardrobe. Conversely in NY, costumes refers to the designers and wardrobe refers to the on set people and be forewarned also not to screw that up (it’s two different unions). I wish I knew what it was in LA.
I’m not saying the terminology we use is unimportant. It is. But not every nickname is a coded insult, either.{{1}}
As the commentator alludes to, I said no one complains about calling craft services “crafty.” She says that just refers to the craft services area, but I’ve heard and used it for the person, as well.
The thing about script supervisors, and often craft services, is that they’re a department of one. So, the term for the department gets conflated with the term for the person. No grip would complain if the AD called out, “We need a grip to set up a courtesy flag!” instead of naming them specifically.
A Lot of Names to Learn
There are 100 people on set, and not everyone will remember everyone’s name, especially early in the shoot. Sure, the 1st AD and the script supervisor are often right next to each other at the monitor, and probably interact between setups, but people are fallible.
So they forget your name, and “script supervisor” is not only a long, ungainly phrase, it’s also kind of hard to say. Seriously, try saying it three times fast.
The example of “costumes” vs. “wardrobe” is illustrative. We’re talking about a matter of personal preference on the part of the subject, which the speaker has no way of knowing in advance. To be bothered by such a thing is ridiculous.
I only make exception for clarity. Don’t conflate grips with electrics, or hair with makeup.{{2}} And don’t ask a producer’s assistant to do a production assistant’s job, because all you’ll get is sneer, followed by a snarky tweet once you’ve turned around. What you won’t get is any help.
[[1]]Except for “extras.” That is unnecessarily insulting.[[1]]
[[2]]Although on smaller shoots, sometimes one person does do both jobs. Hopefully not electric hair, though.[[2]]
