Term of the Moment: Adult Supervision

"Get adult supervision"--find a supervisor, a head or even a designer to detail the work that has to be done. When a small crew of extra men needs direction, sometimes a loudmouth in the group will start barking out orders. A saner crew member might say, "Let's get adult supervision," meaning get the person responsible for the project to sign off on it or to explain what has to be done.

Term of the Moment: Children Driving Box Trucks

Children Driving Box Trucks: At one of the TV stations, a certain producer tries to save money by throwing in interns to carry out stagehand duties, like loading box trucks and driving them to digital remotes. The 20-year-old interns often screw up and adults (i.e. union stagehands) have to step in, costing more money with additional labor to undo the screw up. My boss will sigh and say, "Ah, children driving box trucks." The producer will have her wrist slapped, but will do it again when she gets the chance.

For the Whiner on Your Crew: Weeping Willow

Weeping Willow--constant complainer, a name given to the old scenic at East Coast Theatrical Supply in the 1980s. Another good choice includes Debbie Downer.

Expression of the next moment: "Heard it on the Erie"

"heard it on the Erie"--to discuss gossip with someone, often the subject of that gossip. "I heard it on the Erie that you got the head's job at the Booth." The Erie reference is to the Erie Canal.

Expression of the Moment: Who's Who in the Zoo

Who's Who in the Zoo. I was working at NBC recently, when the foreman of the Outside Props crew said that he wanted to know my availability. "I need to know who's who in the zoo," he explained, meaning who was going to be on his crew for the next few weeks.