What does "C-47" mean on a film set?

Ever heard someone on set ask for a "C-47"? If you’re new to filmmaking, you might think it’s some fancy piece of equipment. But it’s actually just a regular wooden clothespin. Simple as it is, the C-47 gets used all the time on set (you know, for holding gels & rigging small stuff). Its odd name only adds to its legendary status in film crew slang!!

Curious why a clothespin is such a big deal in the film world? In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the C-47 & how it became an essential tool on set.

📌 Always use wooden clothespins around hot lights.
Wooden C-47s don’t melt or get hot, so they’re the safest choice for handling materials near film lights.

🎬 The name “C-47” comes from its reputation for being handy.
Film crews borrowed the name from a famously useful WWII airplane, showing how helpful these clothespins are on set.

💡 C-47s are essential tools for everyone on set.
From lighting to wardrobe, every department uses C-47s for quick fixes and problem-solving during shoots.

At its core, a C-47 is just a regular wooden clothespin—the same kind you’d use for laundry. But on a film set, it becomes an essential tool that grips & lighting crews depend on every day.

A typical C-47 is made of two wooden sides joined by a small steel spring (usually about 3 inches long). Wood isn’t just tradition—it’s a safety choice. Film lights, especially older tungsten models, get very hot. Plastic clothespins would quickly melt, & metal ones can burn your fingers. Wood holds up to the heat, so you can safely use it to attach gels & diffusers.

You might hear C-47s called "bullets," "pins," "ammo," or "pegs" on set. Often, grips & gaffers carry a bunch clipped to their belts (like ammunition). The names may change, but the job is always the same.

C-47s are cheap and easy to get!! A pack of 50 usually costs $5–$10, making them one of the most affordable tools on set. Most film supply stores—like B&H Photo Video & Filmtools—carry them in bulk. If you need something tougher or more discreet, there are special “production clips” with stronger springs & black finishes.

Pro Tip: Always keep at least a dozen C-47s on your belt or in your bag. They’ll save you time, and being ready will earn you respect on set.

The real reason filmmakers call a basic clothespin a "C-47" remains one of Hollywood's small mysteries. No one can say for sure how the term started, but a few main theories pop up again & again.

The most popular guess points to WWII veterans working in Hollywood. They compared the handy clothespin to the tough Douglas C-47 Skytrain airplane -- a plane that could handle almost anything. For them, the clothespin was just as useful on set (maybe even more so, depending on who you ask!).

Another theory comes from studio life. Hollywood execs didn’t want to pay for "clothespins," so clever crews started calling them "C-47s" to make them sound more important & get them approved. That trick worked -- and the name stuck!!

Some say the name came from how they were stored: kept in bin C, slot 47 at a studio. Or it was simply a catalog number.

Pro Tip: If someone on set asks for C-47s, they're checking if you know your film basics. Hand over clothespins with confidence!

The C-47’s versatility is what makes it a must-have on every film set. Most crews first use them in the lighting department, clipping color gels & diffusion materials to hot barn doors. But the handy C-47 has plenty of other uses (you know, like cable management or wardrobe fixes).

In lighting, the wood construction is key. Gaffers can clip heat-sensitive gels & diffusion without worrying about melting or burning. Gels should be rolled over and clipped to the back of the barn doors. This keeps the surface smooth for even coverage, with no strange shadows.

But the C-47 isn’t just for lighting. It keeps cables neat by holding them along walls or stands. Wardrobe teams grab C-47s for quick costume fixes—fast hems or holding loose fabric. In the office, C-47s organize papers & call sheets, and the art department uses them to hang storyboards in a pinch. No other tool is this handy in every department!!

Gaffers & electricians are the main crew members using C-47s, often carrying 50 or more on their belts each day. They count on these simple clothespins for quick gel changes, clipping up practical lights, & making fast lighting tweaks.

Grips & key grips also use C-47s for rigging and securing gear. Need to block stray light or rig a quick fix? The clothespin is a go-to tool (seriously, every set has a stash). Camera operators & DPs keep a few handy for lens cloths, organizing camera cables, or marking focus points.

The sound department grabs C-47s for cable tidying & on-the-fly fixes. If a mic clip breaks during a shoot, a C-47 can hold things together and keep production running -- it's a lifesaver!!

While the classic wooden clothespin (the C-47) is a film set staple, a few specialized options have popped up for tougher jobs. Knowing what’s out there helps you grab the right clip every time.

Standard C-47s are about 3 inches long. They're cheap & sturdy, gripping about 1-2 pounds. Perfect for everyday needs like gels or paperwork.

When you need more muscle, production clips step it up with stronger springs, wider jaws (up to 1 inch), & matte black finishes so they stay hidden on camera. They're built for heavier or thicker materials (you know, the stuff that never wants to stay put).

Pro Tip: Stock both regular & heavy-duty clips. Use standard C-47s for simple jobs, and reach for production clips when you need something stronger or less noticeable. Having the right clip can save your shot!!

Every filmmaker should know how C-47s fit into the world of grip gear -- they’re perfect for lightweight, fast fixes & for holding gels on hot lights. But different clamps have different strengths.

A-clamps (pony or spring clamps) grip harder than C-47s & are great for holding up backdrops, muslin, or sound blankets. However, they can't handle high heat (don’t use them near hot lights).

Super clamps (Mafer clamps) offer serious holding power & clamp onto pipes, poles, or odd shapes. They’re ideal for mounting equipment in tricky spots. However, they’re bulky and too heavy for quick, everyday jobs -- use C-47s instead for those light tasks. Always match your clamp to the job at hand!!

The resourcefulness of film crews turns the simple C-47 into an essential multi-tool on set. This unassuming clothespin shows the creative, can-do attitude at the heart of filmmaking.

Take the "C-74": flip a C-47 upside down, remove the spring, and you’ve got quick tweezers for grabbing hot scrims or metal parts. Or try the "A-47," where changing the angle gives you a simple grip for odd or delicate spots.

When a wireless mic pack fails, a C-47 becomes an emergency mic clip (just wrap the cable around it & clip it to clothing). The shoot keeps rolling!! On busy sets, they even mark coffee cups -- each crew member adds a C-47 in a unique spot to avoid mix-ups.

Directors & artists use C-47s to hang up storyboard frames along a string. This easy trick lets them quickly arrange shots. It often works better than complicated digital tools when planning as a group. (Honestly, sometimes low-tech just wins.)

• It's become a cultural icon on set, not just a simple tool.
• The mysterious name is perfect for good-natured pranks, with seasoned crew sending newbies to find a "bag of C-47s."
• Someone once clipped 153 C-47s to their face (a wild, strange, and painful record set during downtime on a commercial shoot).
• Film students meet the C-47 early in their training. They're often puzzled until an instructor reveals the inside joke.
• The moment of discovery, & later helping others through it, forges a sense of community among filmmakers.

The C-47 has gone from a plain, practical tool to a well-known symbol on film sets. Its odd name makes it perfect for harmless pranks, with experienced crew sending new assistants to hunt for a “bag of C-47s” -- an inside joke that builds team spirit & tests set know-how.

There’s even a quirky record: someone managed to clip 153 C-47s to their face during a slow shoot (yes, really!). It shows the playful side of long days on set.

Most filmmakers first meet the C-47 in film school, confused until a teacher reveals what it really is. That “aha” moment -- and passing the joke along -- has become a simple tradition, connecting filmmakers across generations.

The C-47 proves that in filmmaking, the simplest tools are often the most important.

• Its unusual, military-sounding name hides a basic wooden clothespin.
• Every crew member uses it somewhere on set. Really, everyone!!
• This small tool shows how creative & adaptable filmmakers need to be.
• Learning the C-47 is more than just clipping gels (you know, like this). It’s about the hands-on problem-solving that turns everyday items into must-have gear.

Can I use plastic clothespins instead of wooden C-47s on set?
Don’t use plastic clothespins near hot lights--they melt fast, can catch fire, & might ruin gear. Wooden C-47s are the go-to because they handle heat well.

Why don't film sets just use more modern clamps instead of clothespins?
C-47s are cheap, light, heatproof & super fast to use. Modern clamps work for some tasks, but nothing beats a C-47 for quick, all-purpose fixes on set.

How many C-47s should I bring to my first day on set?
If you’re a grip or gaffer, pack 50. Other crew should keep 10–20. Always bring extra (running out can really slow things down).

Are C-47s called something different in other countries?
Yes--UK & Australia call them “pegs,” in India, “clips,” and elsewhere just “clothespins.” Still, C-47 is widely understood on film sets everywhere.

What's the difference between a C-47 and a C-74?
A C-74 is an upside-down C-47 with the spring removed. That turns it into a simple set of wooden tweezers--handy for grabbing hot stuff like scrims.

Do professional productions really spend money on clothespins?
Yes!! Large productions go through thousands of C-47s--they’re a set essential.

Can C-47s damage delicate fabrics or papers?
Yes, they can leave marks. For delicate materials, use ones with rubber tips or add a small fabric scrap between the clip & the item.

What's the strongest type of C-47 available?
Heavy-duty C-47s have stronger springs, open up to 1 inch, & grip tighter than regular ones. (Editor’s note: You’ll know when you need these--they’re lifesavers for tough jobs!)