Movie Tools – The C47

Arguably, the most useful and inexpensive movie-making tool is the Clothes Pin. Called in the biz a “C47″ or a “Bullet,” these can be used to attach gels to lights, remove scrims from lights without burning your fingers, and all sorts of other great applications. I sometimes used them to tie my hair back or make impromptu cable ties with some folded over camera tape. You can use them to create a clipboard and keep gels organized. They’re even great for keeping your potato chip bag closed…

No one can decide on the exact origin of the term, “C47.” One rumor is that the name originated during World War 2 and the requisition number for a bag of clothes pins. I’ve also heard it said that the name comes from the number of pins that came in a standard bag. C47 also sounds manlier. It’s hard to imagine a burly electrician in the 1950’s asking for a clothes pin, but a C47, that’s a man’s tool!

I’ve heard that the name “bullet” comes from the fact that movie production people attach clothes pins to their tool belts so there is always one available – like a gunslinger with a lot of bullets.

A great game to play on set is to “tag” people with “bullets.” When bored, you surreptitiously clip a “C47″ to the back of someone’s shirt. The objective is to laden an unsuspicious grip or camera assistant with a lot of clothes pins in odd places. These kinds of games help to pass the time on an 18-hour day.

The best part about a clothes pin is that you can buy them at the grocery store. Did you know you can hang up your clothes with these things so they can dry? Who knew!