Studio Sign Language

Radio 44
(later Communications 44 & RTF 44)

The following is a recreation using HTML of Bill Stock's copy from his Radio 44 class. STUDIO SIGN LANGUAGE as prepared by Mr. Seibel


Level -- Hand open, palm down, moved from Side to Side. Given by the director to member of cast or crew indicating that a particular portion of the program (generally the opening sequence) should be gone over to give the engineer an opportunity to set the right volume.

Stand -- Arm upraised, palm open, toward studio. At the beginning of the show it means "stand by to go on the air." During the show it is directed at a particular person or group and means "get ready to do what is called for." It is nearly always followed by a direct cue, a volume signal, or a cut signal.

Go ahead -- (Direct cue) Index finger pointed at and moved toward a particular person or group. Usually preceded by a stand-by signal, which allows cast or crew member a few seconds warning.

Move closer to microphone -- Hand, palm outward, moved away from mouth. May also be given by waving person away from mike.

Speak more directly into the beam of the microphone -- Hand, palm open, fingers up, held in front of and perpendicular to mouth and moved forward and back.

Go faster -- With index finger outstretched, the arm moves in a circular pattern. The imaginary circle is drawn perpendicularly to the plane between the director and the actor. The director may point to a particular person and tell him to go faster, or give the signal for the whole cast.

Go slower -- Using both hands, the director stretches out an imaginary piece of taffy. Like the above signal, the director may intend it for only one cast member (in which event he points to him before giving the stretch signal), or he may intend it for the whole group.

Timing is O.K. (ON THE NOSE) -- Director places the tip of his index on the tip of his nose. The signal, given at an interval after a speedup or slowdown signal indicates that the show is back on scheduled time and that the actors may then proceed at the previously rehearsed rate.

Use More Volume -- One or both hands raised, palms up. To the actor this would mean "speak more loudly."

Use Less Volume -- One or both hands lowered, palms down. To the actor, this means "speak more Softly."

Use more intensity of feeling -- With hands outstretched and finger curved palms up, the director uses a "pulling motion."

Use less intensity of feeling -- Hand outstretched, palm down, a kind of patting motion as if soothing a crying child.

Watch me for cue or watch me more closely -- Director points to his eye with index finger.

Everything is fine (OK) -- Thumb and index finger touching to make circle, other fingers outstretched.

Cut -- Index finger drawn over thorat. During the air show it is directed toward a specific person or group. A general cut signal meaning "Everyone stop," would be given only if the program went off the air.

How does it sound? -- Given from a person in the studio to onein control. Points to ear with index finger.

Play it all -- Clasped hands, as a child prays. Do not use the optional or emergency cuts in the script.

This is the WRTI Old Gang Web Site.