C-47
A C-47 is an essential tool on most film and television sets. Its uses are numerous. It is often regarded by film and television professionals as the most important piece of equipment on set. Also known as 47s, CP47s, bullets, ammo, pegs. [1]
Design
In the late 19th century, David M. Smith developed the design of the C-47 to be two interlocking wooden prongs in between a wedged spring. The lever action this created added to the C-47's gripping strength.
 |
| First C-47 used in early 1900s |
Years later, this design was improved by Solon E. Moore who created a coiled fulcrum which wrapped around the wooden prongs, holding them together and thus increasing the rate of strength.
Today, C-47s are manufactured with stainless steel coils that prevent rust and decay, a key attribute when used outdoors.
Origin
There are many disputed origin stories about the C-47, but the one that is confirmed by all to be untrue is of famous director George Méliés fashioning the first C-47 from a block of wood while filming "A Trip to the Moon" in 1902.
According to lore, Méliés whittled the entire time of production and created the C-47 at the exact time it was needed to fasten a drop cloth along the back of the set. The story has been refuted by many who knew Méliés personally.
Other rumors are below:
Douglas C-47 Skytrain
During World War II, the C-47 Skytrain was a versatile and essential aircraft used for troop transport. The C-47 was rumored to be named after the Skytrain to honor it's versatility during the war and make the comparison with the C-47's versatility on set. [2]
Patent Number
 |
| C-47 from set of "The Village" (2004) |
C-47 is often thought of as the patent number that was used when the first C-47 was created by David M. Smith. Smith applied for the patent in 1854 after creating the C-47. There has been no such patent found. [3]
Hollywood
In an effort to provide as many C-47s on a set, it was common practice for productions to find mundane, yet important sounding names for essential tools on a film set. This practice would fool studios into allowing the bulk purchase of these items. The C-47 was given this name for this very purpose. [4]
Uses
Set Design
C-47s are used to keep cloth backdrops from falling. They help fasten fabricated works of art on the walls during period dramas. They are used by set designers to clip notes on sets warning crews of a "hot set."
Grip and Electric
 |
| C-47s in action |
Members of the crew that are known as G&E often will have a stash of C-47s attached to their clothing ready at a moment's notice. Uses for G&E include: electrical cords that need to be kept out o sight, blackout paper on windows, filters and gels on lights.
Film Editing
Film editors, using a linear editing machine (or flatbed editor) for editing film, will use C-47s to hang strips of film from above to keep track of splices and cuts during the process of editing.
Other Uses
Laundry Drying
The C-47 has been adapted by people for home use as well. People will hang their wet clothes on a piece or rope. which is suspended between two fixed points, known as a clothesline.
Resources
1. ^ "It's a C-47" http://www.scoutingny.com/. Retrieved 2014-07-15.2. ^ "It's a C-47" http://www.scoutingny.com/. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
3. ^ "It's a C-47" http://www.scoutingny.com/. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
4. ^ "It's a C-47" http://www.scoutingny.com/. Retrieved 2014-07-15.
Alex, I enjoyed learning about this! I had no idea of the origin or its other uses as well. It is great that it can be used for stage design as well as other things. I also have to say that I like your layout of this post. Your work is always clear and easy to read/understand.
ReplyDelete-Lynnrose
Hello Alex Captain Fancy Pants here,
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy learning about new materials for film. I don't think people realize the amount of work and resources needed to make a movie. At first I looked at this and thought it was just a normal clothespin but the uses for it are much more than simply hanging clothes. It would have been nice for me to have the "Uses" section listed first instead of near the end of the article. It would help me better understand the tool before reading about its origin and design features. But that is just for me, every one is different. Overall I really enjoy reading these posts about film and filming production! It helps me a lot with my understanding of movies and production as a whole.
Hi Faison,
ReplyDeleteI use the instructions and wiki assignments to emphasize thoroughness and as a counter to the devil’s advocate. Whatever theses and counter-arguments you produce, they are only as good as their logic, research, and sooner or later, their practicality in the real world.
Writing instructions usually simplifies your technique. Just thinking of an assignment as instructions teaches you to be more direct and clear for your audience. You can think of all of your writing as instructions for how to think like you.
Your green screen how-to is a fine example. I think it could’ve been more in-depth, but I also realize it was a single post pulled from a previous series. You might have touched on lighting the green screen and using waveform monitors elsewhere.
Taking a precise task like using a green screen and teaching a novice how to do everything from start to finish and through only words is a great exercise. You can test your work by asking the novice to follow your instructions. Keeping your how-to complete and engaging develops skills that strengthen everything from writing fiction to designing a website.
The wiki holds you to the same standard, but with research. I loved your C-47 article, of course, but I found numerous sources on its history beyond the scoutingny.com article. The number and diversity of the sources you bring together are a good indication of how much work went into an article. You clearly put a lot of effort into this, which should’ve created more endnotes.
Your article is longer than the filmmaking entry in Wikipedia’s clothespin article. Though your humor wouldn’t last the editing process, you might have a few sentences to add to the real thing. It’s another worthwhile exercise to create a Wikipedia account and publish something.
As you work on your article for publishing, think about the three previous assignments. Argue to imagine, instruct logically, and add research for support. A good writer does all three at once.