![]() ![]() Not all slates feature timecode and, in many cases, it isn’t necessary (it can be useful, though).Īs a camera assistant, it will be your job to keep the timecode in sync, but it’s generally something you sync a few times a day and check periodically to make sure it hasn’t drifted.īecause you don’t have to change it as often as other things on the slate (and since you technically don’t “write” it on there), I don’t want to spend too much time getting into the details of syncing timecode - I just wanted to list it here for posterity. ![]() The slate is synced to a timecode generator or the audio recorder via a cable and then is maintained by the slate itself via battery power. On some slates - called “Smart Slates” - there may be a digital screen that displays a shot’s timecode. It’s ill-advised to change the name of the production on the slate after shooting has begun or you’ll lose the consistency of the name which can cause confusion later in post-production. If you aren’t sure what to write, it’s always a safe bet to ask the director of photography (DP) or a producer what their preference is.ĭon’t stress too much over this, but do take it seriously. The commercial was for the Virginia Lottery so I wrote “BTS VA Lottery” and that was that. In these instances, simply use a descriptive title.įor instance, I was working as part of a behind-the-scenes crew for a commercial shoot (odd, I know) and had to put something on the slate. Most of the time this is obvious, especially in narrative work.īut it doesn’t have to be a real title - it can be a working title, a nickname title, a shortened title, or a descriptive title - as long as there is some name for the production. There are times where you will work on projects that don’t have a name, such as commercials or industrial shoots. In this area you want to write the name or the title of the production you’re working on. If you are, please share their differences in the comments! Production There are several alternatives from other countries that I am not an expert on. Note: Because I work in the United States, the slating system I will be referencing is the American system. So you have a full comprehension of what each of these sections mean, let’s explore them further. But as you continue on a production, you’ll be making changes almost exclusively to shot-specific areas on the clapperboard. When you fill out a slate for the first time, you’ll have to fill out both production-specific and shot-specific information. Shot Specific: The roll, scene, and take are the most obvious shot-specific pieces of information, but this also encompasses further details like MOS, Day/Nite, and Int/Ext which we’ll talk about later. Production Specific: This includes the name of the movie, the name of the director, cinematographer, and producer, as well as the date or shooting day.Ģ. Date: The month, day, and year that you’re shootingĪll of these sections of the slate can be further categorized into two main types of info:ġ.Camera: Name of the director of photography/cinematographer of the production.Director: Name of the director of the production.Scene: The scene number/shot you’re shooting.Roll: The roll that you’re currently shooting on.Timecode: Digital timecode synced to the audio.Production: The name or title of the movie.The most common pieces of information conveyed on the slate are: ![]() There are areas for your name, for your insurance, and checklists for you to provide additional information. All of the information you supply serves to help people (usually an editor) have a better understanding of what the scene is about - just like you help the doctor understand your level of health. In a sense, the slate is like the form they hand you when you visit the doctor’s office. The Sections of the Slate and What They Mean So before you ever step in front of the camera to slate, you need know how to fill it out properly. If the information on the slate is incorrect, it could anger an editor (which you don’t want) or it could be mistaken as correct and cause confusion in post-production (which you definitely don’t want). But just as important as hitting the sticks is getting the correct information on the front of the slateboard - things like scene, take, roll, and the production’s name. When we think about slating, we tend to focus on the clapping aspect of it or the protocol that leads up to the slamming of the sticks. There’s a reason why a 2nd AC is also known as the “clapper/loader.” It’s also one of the most recognizable duties a 2nd Assistant Camera (AC) is expected to fulfill. Slating: it’s a staple of filmmaking, it’s an art, and it requires a certain amount of subtlety. ![]()
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