One thing that I have realized working on set is that green PA’s don’t know how to use their walkies.  What I don’t get is that walkies really aren’t that hard to use, but then again I’ve also said that it isn’t that hard to be a PA and yet some people still manage to screw that up.

Here is your basic guide on how to use your walkie on set:

Turn it on

So it is your first time being a PA and you are so super excited so you arrive on set like 30 minutes before your call.  You meet up with your production coordinator and they hand you a walkie.  At first glance it looks simple enough.  Then the coordinator hands you some crazy looking headset.  Don’t panic it’s pretty simple, just plug everything in and turn the nob on top.  When you hear it make a nose that means that its on.  Grab your mic and say “walkie check”.  If someone else is on walkie they should say “good check”.  Trust me you don’t want to be that PA who does not have their walkie on.

Keep it on the right channel

This should be pretty self explanatory but everyone messes this up at some point or another.  Depending on how large or small your production is different departments will be placed on different walkie channels.  Double and triple check which channel you and the rest of the PA’s are supposed to be on.  Only switch to a different channel if someone asks you to.  Once you are finished on that channel switch back to your PA channel.

Walkie Sayings

There are several quick phrases that people use on walkies to get their points across quickly.  Here are some main ones that you should know:

Walkie Check- what you say when you are trying to see if your walkie is working

Good Check – what people say when someone asks walkie check

10-1- You are using the restroom

Switch to (insert number)- switch your walkie channel to another one

Copy- You understood what is being asked of you.

Remember each set is different.  Find out how your production runs and follow those rules.