Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Clapperboards 00:44 - Clapperboard History 02:02 - Chapter 1: The Purpose of Clapperboards 07:03 - Chapter 2: How to Mark a Clapperboard 12:37 - Chapter 3: Slating on Set 15:57 - Takeaways
I've been through 3 years of film school, and not one single camera teacher has explained a clapper board this thoroughly like StudioBinder. This channel is a treasure for filmmakers.
I agree with Weston. Unless you have an instructor who is TRULY astute and actually worked for a living on productions, you're not going to get the information ABOUT legitimate productions.
The first movie I ever worked on was as a camera intern. The movie starred Jeff Goldblum, Rory Cochrane, Rosanna Arquette, Samuel Jackson (I remember asking who he was then) and Famke Janssen (her debut movie). I learned a lot on that movie (though a lot of what I learned applied to film). I was very lucky to have been a part of it. The camera crew even trusted me to slate a couple scenes. I remember slating a scene with Jeff Goldblum and Famke Jansen and a crew from Entertainment Tonight was there taping us filming the scene which made me even more nervous. I'm in the ET archives somewhere. I wish I could see it. One thing I remember the camera crew telling me is that when you slate the scene, you don't have to say the word SCENE in front of the scene number. Just say the number. You know the first number is a scene. You do say TAKE in front of that number. I see a lot of "low budget indie" production camera crews say "Scene" in front of the scene number when slating. Watch this video closely, you'll notice the "professional" crews are not saying the word scene before the scene number. Also, when shooting sound, the slate should be open when put into frame. Don't put the slate in frame closed, then open it to clack it. Closed sticks in frame means MOS. The video here says different, but I was dealing with "dummy" sticks in the film days. The video shows a "smart" slate, so maybe it's changed. On my first "indie" production (which was a complete disaster), the slate we used was used on The Godfather Part 3 which I thought was cool. It somehow "disappeared" after the production fell apart.
Wow thanks for sharing...quick question so basically clapper boards or slates are used to make post more easier to edit film...is that correct? So the editor knows what scenes are good to use or what scenes director wants or don't want...and if sound is used it's easier for editor to match two scenes together to match the sound ..have I understood it correctly?
@@smann7236 Yes. That is basically correct. Sync the picture to sound and identify the scene, take number, etc. so it's easier in post production. I did make a short film (on digital HD) with no clapperboard at all before, but I was the one shooting and editing so I knew what everything was. The sound was recorded from the camera (not a separate recorder), so I didn't need to sync the sound either. If you don't have a slate, you can always clap your hands in front of the camera which I've also done to act as a sort of slate to sync sound.
@@DyenamicFilms yes I'm glad you mentioned that...if you write direct and edit your own film you usually know how to edit through rushes without a slate...also handclapping is common for indie shoots...one thing I know now is that films we see on cinema and TV are structured like a corporate business everyone has their roles that's why they have slates and script supervisor and gaffer and dop department etc...but if you are on shoestring budget like Robert Rodriguez style then you have to DIY and use paper with notes for slates and hand clapping if needed for post. Making indie film is doable but having it released in cinema or shown in film festival is completely different ballgame..
@@DyenamicFilms how does clapping help you sync the sound, though? I read that the action starts after, when the director says to start, so how does the clapper fit in?
As a loader of 8 years you did a great job of explaining all that, people don't realise how much goes into it. Only part you missed out, is the 100 Slates. We like to do custom drawings and art on those boards to make them special, some ACs are too talented at this!!
@@user-xv4he4mt4x Ive focused for the last 3 years as well, but focus work isn't always available or step back down for a larger project. We don't all want to be DPs as well...
This is the first video I have seen of yours. As a teacher of complex technical topics for 5+ years to many global companies, I have to say this is an amazing video. It is succinct, edited very well, and visually appealing. I am impressed!
If i ever make a film in future.. I would like to thank this particular channel first of all . Because these guys are covering a valid yet various topics related to film making. I would wholeheartedly say that Studiobinder is my first and best guru to learn about film making 🙏🙏🙏
To go back to the very early sound films a hand clap from an actor was also used. End slates are also used in some special effects / armoury scenes where pyro devices are triggered by blank gunfire. The sound clapper can accidently trigger the pyro if a 'audio trigger switch' is used. I can't say much more because I don't want to give away all the film industry secrets which need to be kept secret squirrel.
Oh great. The other latter information pertaining a clapperboard/slate I didn't know. Now I'm all clued up about it thanx to StudioBinder! You're great guys. Free film school tuition. Lol!
I'm trying to increase the quality of my videos/become more efficient with the process. This was extremely useful for someone with no background in filmaking. Thanks!
This is cool! I knew about the sound syncing but not so much the rest. I am thoroughly impressed by how important this piece of equipment is for filmmaking. Thanks
MOS Initials printed on a clapboard and appearing at the start of a take to indicate that the scene was shot without sound. In the early days of sound films, technical personnel were often foreigner-born and these initials stand for "mit out sound," the way such an instruction might have been spoken by a German director or member of the camera crew. The Complete Film Dictionary (2nd Edition, ISBN 0-14-051393-0) Ira Konigsberg Penguin Reference
Hi, I'm a 1st AC (focus puller) and there are errors in what you've shared: The camera operator should not be telling the AC if the slate is in frame. A good 2nd AC is able to measure the distance the slate has to be depending on the lens and will be skilled enough to fill the frame almost perfectly. This is a skill that takes time but absolutely is the standard. The formula goes as such: 10mm=1ft in distance from camera. If you're shooting with a 35mm lens the slate should be 3.5ft from the camera's sensor, not the front element of the lens, the sensor. The harder part is telling the height which comes with practice, very often there will be filters on the camera's and you can see the reflection of the slate in the filter to check your height when your eyes are at the same level. Some of the most talented 2nd AC's don't even get a call from the 1st AC's to mark it. They can check the camera via lights on it to see if it's recording and will watch the focus motors move as the 1st AC grabs the focus on the slate, then they'll call it out without being instructed to. The frame rate should ALWAYS be noted, especially if you're using a different frame rate from 24 fps. The roll needs to be noted on the slate, as in the number of the current media or film: A003 means the third card etc. I wanted to add that modern timecode is highly unreliable, not in the sense that it's failing constantly, but usually there's an issue every once in a while just because of batteries, power for cameras, and in some cases some of the newest high end cameras have software issues that drop frames messing up the sync when it jumps to it's low light setting. This is why the mark (clap) is still used. It saves those scenes if AC's don't notice this until later. Also if you want to 2nd or are a 2nd AC for the love of God please hold the slate in the frame 1-2 seconds after you clap it. The motion blur that happens when the slate is pulled can make that clap unusable.
Thanks for these clarifications! We have some follow-up questions for you, if you're available. Can you message us on IG? YT doesn't do direct messages. Thanks!
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When I shot my student project 30 years ago, I stopped doing slates after the first couple takes because I had so little budget for film. I ended up losing the sound reel though, so it didn't matter in the end...😂
before watching the video i'm gonna share my personal knowledge, then watch what else i can learn: syncing audio with video basically.. it is very important for the clapperboard to make a clapping sound for this very reason.. without the sound, it becomes harder (but not impossible) to perfectly sync the spoken dialogue of the scene with the recorded footage.. there's also information on the board that lets the editor know where the scenes are located..
I know quite well which camera settings to choose and what they do etc. I'd have never thought that using a clapperboard would be much more confusing...
thanks to tom scott i knew the purpose before clicking, because he has a video about clapping to sync things, this is just an external method of the same effect..minus the other info obviously, which is likely only useful for large scale professional productions ,most youtubers etc can just clap loudly.
Sometimes though I have noticed on some films or movies that there is a credit for the 2nd Assistant Camera AND a separate one for the Loader - sometimes called a Central Loader. What is the procedure in that instance given the job of the 2nd AC is to load the camera and do the slate
Camera Loader is a separate position in the camera department, usually added when the job gets too big or complicated for either the 2nd AC or the DIT to handle loading duties in addition to their other duties. Generally, movies/tv shows/commercials will always have a full camera department just for efficiency. The 2nd AC’s main job is to support their 1st AC by helping to: build the camera rig, move the camera for each setup, help change lenses, grab accessories needed by the DP or Camera Operator, change and charge batteries, push the camera carts around, lay floor marks for the actors and camera positions during rehearsals, help the 1st AC grab focus marks, and so on. Slating is pretty far down the list of actual duties, since you only need to do it once everyone is set to shoot. 99% of the job is getting the camera ready to shoot as efficiently as possible. On a film job without a Loader, the 2nd AC will need to disappear from set from time to time and return to the darkroom on the camera truck to load/unload film mags. If there’s a lot of work to be done on set, then this is just not feasible and a dedicated Loader is hired. On a job with multiple cameras and high speed shooting (slow motion), there may be more than one Loader with one person in charge (hence, Central Loader). The Loader will also keep inventory of remaining film stock, and fill out time cards for the other department members. On a digital job, they will handle the loading/offloading of cards in conjunction with the DIT. This means that they are not stuck on the camera truck and can also help out on set with other duties that the 2nd AC needs done. On a smaller job, the DIT may handle the duties of the Loader. Or if there is no DIT, then the 2nd AC will handle it. But it’s a lot of work regardless.
@@satsmura On some low-budget films I was the AC - I pulled focus, loaded film, operated the slate, and managed the camera equipment. Once you have done all the jobs, its simply a matter of choreography and budgeting of time to coordinate all of your tasks smoothly. Of course, I was not know as the most sociable member of the crew since I was always busy.
@@aliensoup2420 Yes, I’ve done the same on very small projects where the producer, director and DP (and actors) are willing to wait for the work to be done. But once the job gets bigger and you are expected to be ready to shoot all the time, it is simply not possible to do the job by yourself without help, no matter how organized you are. The best 1st ACs are good business managers who can delegate most of their tasks, stay by their DP’s side, and anticipate their needs. They can’t do that if they are constantly disappearing from set to charge batteries, download media, or to grab something from the truck. As the saying goes, use your walkie (or wireless comm these days).
Here's my question: Why do they still make them completely flat and with just a plain hinge, so a person has to hold it awkwardly in two hands or even more awkwardly with one? I'd put a handle on the back or on both sides, and make the clapper spring-loaded and operated with a trigger, so it can be easily held out in one hand.
Namste 🙏From India Shyam Bansiwala Assistant Director (Indian Film Industry) please could you explain more slowly - sorry i can be wrong but i think if you are explain more slowly then it will be better for beginner Bcs i personally face the problem with it , personally i believe in watch and learn videos more times so that i can better learn but some time i have to watch videos repeat and repeat all bcs of fast flow , so i request to you if it is possible to you so please explain more slowly and more deeply thank you so much for your all videos i love this channel i LOVE making MOVIES.
Slating is all about the editing room. This goes for both audio AND visuals. 🙂 However, these days, with technology it's probably a lot easier to identify "shot #43, take 02" without having to scroll through footage like back in the "reel" days. Seriously. Has anyone ever worked with actual film? 😁 I did. Like 24+ years ago. Tedious. 🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨
Letters can be stacked. After you have run the length of the alphabet, you start over with a 2nd letter : AA, AB, AC... . The script supervisor is in charge of defining the shot labels.
Interesting the camera assist is wearing heels… when she takes the first scene board. Hmmmm…..’❤😂I’ve never been on a shoot before like that! Must be the jungle love ?
I'm pretty sure the slates for the people editing the film so they know which ones pieces belong where and how many of each scene was made so they can go through them and keep track😮
Smart slates do have running time code on them, but timecode is not all that reliable. It's great for getting the rough sync in place, but everything still has to be fine tuned with the clap.
F W Thring had actually invented a very good thring for film making (it is almost prophetic that he almost made to Mr. Film Working Thring. Mr. F W Thring)
10:00 is there any reason to flip the slate upside down for tail slating in the digital format? i find that unnecessary and yet no explanations found from anyone yet.
Partly force of habit and tradition, but is also useful in certain situations. For example, If they miss the tail slate and cut the canera, they'll usually shoot a clip of an upside-down board, to mark what the previous clip should have been marked as. They'll do something similar if they front-slate, but get the information wrong so make a correction at the end. It's generally useful to have the convention that an upside down board refers to the previous clip or take, not the next clip or take.
This video gives a probably unintended insight into the not very flashy parts of the movie business. Everybody wants to be an actor, but we like to forget, that the fun parts are only sprinkled in between many boring parts. Being responsible for the slate might be damn important, but also incredibly dull, at least in my eyes.
What happened to The Voice? The guy that had the voice that should be in movies this guy is good but the other guys accent and the way he talks was really elegant
All of this free information is borderline life-changing to individuals new to filmmaking with no resources. Your channel and content is the perfect launch pad and reference point for filmmaking knowledge. I’ve gained so much information from this channel. I can’t thank you enough.
Important thing to note, for those who may not know: the clap is _not_ a cue for the actors to start performing. Actors do not begin until the director calls action, which comes after slating.
@@blockmasterscott It's not obvious. The reason for that is to ensure that nothing gets missed waiting on the camera. So, the camera and audio gear will start, then the clapper board then after that the director will decide to start the actual scene The other way of thinking is that the clapperboard needs to come before whatever it is that you're trying to film, so the actors can't start acting until after it is out of frame. Likewise, it is part of the record of the take, so the camera and needs to be rolling and the sound itself used to be used to help sync the sound sources. Although these days, most folks use timecode generators if they're doing anything significant just because they don't need to take the time to sync the frame to the sound itself, the time code and video editing gear do that for you.
@@blockmasterscott It's one of those things that isn't really obvious unless you're on set seeing it work. I only did one educational program segment, which was enough to know that I'd be miserable trying it as a job, but it was quite interesting to see what goes on.
Yeah it’s kind of shocking that every video on this channel is technically an ad for the studio binder product. In a world where almost all of this kind of “content” is hastily put together to generate SEO towards the product’s checkout page (think every garbage blog post on every company’s website), it’s weird how every video on this channel is genuine educational content with just a sprinkling of product placement. Great job.
In one of the A Bug's Life "outtakes" there is a scene where they end the shot and as a gag, Woody steps in to back slate. I remember having to repeat myself over and over explaining that the fact Woody is holding the slate upside-down is not a joke, it's actual filmmaking etiquette.
I’m not a filmmaker and I didn’t know that there was this much complexity to it. I like learning/uncovering entirely new worlds I didn’t even think exist, I used to think it was just some dumb prop/trope that the film industry never grew out of
I think it depends on what the story and message one want the film to be about. Often the first scene establishes the theme of a film, maybe a antagonist struggles and reason of action will be reflected in similar way to the Main protagonist along the story. Starting with the protagonist will maybe therfore do the opposite. Introduce a theme that will affect the antagonist later, and it's their reaction to that theme that moves the plot
Hello StudioBinder team, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible content you share on your UA-cam channel. Your insights and guidance on movie-making have been invaluable to me. Your dedication to providing useful and informative content truly shines through, and I'm incredibly thankful for the knowledge and inspiration you've provided. Keep up the fantastic work! 🙏👏👏👏 Warm regards from Poland🙋
im an editor and i hate when people who shoots are too lazy to clap/slate, its an industry standard procedure and it really helps everyone in post and production stages, and yet... they called themselves professionals sheesh...
I've done plenty of editing myself but I've also been on the set a lot and understand why it sometimes happens. However, with my editor's hat on, as desperate it gets on the set or location please folks at least clap your hands together or tap the end of a mic in shot. If all else fails, a few frames of the shot and take number scribbled on a piece of paper after the grabbed shot won't hurt either.
This was just fascinating! Thanks studiobinder for this 👍 I was curious about this from long time but hadn't made effort to know how the slate is used There are just so many things to know about filmmaking, these kind of deep dives makes anyone appreciate each and every process!
LIKE WOW!!! I also knew that the slate was used for syncing sound, but the lessons after that blew my mind. Once again, thank you Studio Binder for this lesson. I have a more in-depth take on the this simple device. I would recommend another lesson on the slate combined with how to manage a movie set, on all levels. This would help novice filmmakers get a better feel of how to conduct their projects with so many moving elements. Again, thank you!!!
THis channel really just takes what we, the zero-budget and wannabe filmmakers, want to ask but have no idea how to ask it and explains it in perfect detail. Etiquette and informational, lovely video, thank you.
It's useful for huge productions, that have several hours of media to go over in post production. The DIT will log the dailies (coverage) into bins for easier access in post production. On big productions, the 2nd AC (assistant camera) will be in charge of actually "slating". 1st AC should be able to slate in case the 2nd AC is not on set (rarely, if ever happens). In fact, everyone in the camera department should know how to slate properly. The crazy thing is this: the sound department is responsible for providing, and setting up the smart slate(s). Dummy slates are usually in both the Camera Department and Sound Department, and are not very expensive. Smart slates usually cost $900+.
@@Mssmilelovejoy Deity smart slates start at $999, on the modest end and go from up there. I didn't know you wanted a price sheet on all smart slates. FFS. Which is why I put $900+ Where did you get yours?
It's incredible how these days you can easily get access to some invaluable information regarding almost any topic by people willing to share their knowledge and expertise. That's something you could only dream of a couple of decades ago. For me, this is the greatest gift of this era ❤
This thing has been one of those things that has just existed without question. Our minds have accepted and tuned out their existence for such a long time
Awesome video. In Europe the slate is treated a bit different. We start with slate 1, take 1. Slate 2, take 1 etc. And every 1111, 2222 ,3333 etc. slate there is champagne for everybody!
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to Clapperboards
00:44 - Clapperboard History
02:02 - Chapter 1: The Purpose of Clapperboards
07:03 - Chapter 2: How to Mark a Clapperboard
12:37 - Chapter 3: Slating on Set
15:57 - Takeaways
i wish i could download your vids😅
Please name the bgm used in this video
This video gave me priapism
You missed describing MOS by having fingers between the Clapper and the Slate...
@@allwaizeright9705no they didn’t, see timestamp 9:28
I've been through 3 years of film school, and not one single camera teacher has explained a clapper board this thoroughly like StudioBinder. This channel is a treasure for filmmakers.
Consider this your extra credit production class ;)
Those schools are a waste of time
Haha, most likely because majority of them never used a slate. Sadly, most teachers are career teachers, not career professional who became teachers.
I agree with Weston. Unless you have an instructor who is TRULY astute and actually worked for a living on productions, you're not going to get the information ABOUT legitimate productions.
Film school. Lol. 3 years! Sucker...
I always wondered about Clapperboards! Thank you for making this video! Always so useful as always!
Thanks for watching!
The first movie I ever worked on was as a camera intern. The movie starred Jeff Goldblum, Rory Cochrane, Rosanna Arquette, Samuel Jackson (I remember asking who he was then) and Famke Janssen (her debut movie). I learned a lot on that movie (though a lot of what I learned applied to film). I was very lucky to have been a part of it. The camera crew even trusted me to slate a couple scenes. I remember slating a scene with Jeff Goldblum and Famke Jansen and a crew from Entertainment Tonight was there taping us filming the scene which made me even more nervous. I'm in the ET archives somewhere. I wish I could see it.
One thing I remember the camera crew telling me is that when you slate the scene, you don't have to say the word SCENE in front of the scene number. Just say the number. You know the first number is a scene. You do say TAKE in front of that number. I see a lot of "low budget indie" production camera crews say "Scene" in front of the scene number when slating. Watch this video closely, you'll notice the "professional" crews are not saying the word scene before the scene number. Also, when shooting sound, the slate should be open when put into frame. Don't put the slate in frame closed, then open it to clack it. Closed sticks in frame means MOS. The video here says different, but I was dealing with "dummy" sticks in the film days. The video shows a "smart" slate, so maybe it's changed.
On my first "indie" production (which was a complete disaster), the slate we used was used on The Godfather Part 3 which I thought was cool. It somehow "disappeared" after the production fell apart.
Good insight!
Wow thanks for sharing...quick question so basically clapper boards or slates are used to make post more easier to edit film...is that correct? So the editor knows what scenes are good to use or what scenes director wants or don't want...and if sound is used it's easier for editor to match two scenes together to match the sound ..have I understood it correctly?
@@smann7236 Yes. That is basically correct. Sync the picture to sound and identify the scene, take number, etc. so it's easier in post production. I did make a short film (on digital HD) with no clapperboard at all before, but I was the one shooting and editing so I knew what everything was. The sound was recorded from the camera (not a separate recorder), so I didn't need to sync the sound either. If you don't have a slate, you can always clap your hands in front of the camera which I've also done to act as a sort of slate to sync sound.
@@DyenamicFilms yes I'm glad you mentioned that...if you write direct and edit your own film you usually know how to edit through rushes without a slate...also handclapping is common for indie shoots...one thing I know now is that films we see on cinema and TV are structured like a corporate business everyone has their roles that's why they have slates and script supervisor and gaffer and dop department etc...but if you are on shoestring budget like Robert Rodriguez style then you have to DIY and use paper with notes for slates and hand clapping if needed for post. Making indie film is doable but having it released in cinema or shown in film festival is completely different ballgame..
@@DyenamicFilms how does clapping help you sync the sound, though? I read that the action starts after, when the director says to start, so how does the clapper fit in?
As a loader of 8 years you did a great job of explaining all that, people don't realise how much goes into it.
Only part you missed out, is the 100 Slates. We like to do custom drawings and art on those boards to make them special, some ACs are too talented at this!!
It's a necessity!
Interesting, whats a 100 Slate?
@@NabilTouchieevery time the slate count gets to the number 100 or a multiple of! Known as a ‘century’ board
how can one as a slate loader for 8 years and still doing it?😢
@@user-xv4he4mt4x Ive focused for the last 3 years as well, but focus work isn't always available or step back down for a larger project. We don't all want to be DPs as well...
This is the first video I have seen of yours. As a teacher of complex technical topics for 5+ years to many global companies, I have to say this is an amazing video. It is succinct, edited very well, and visually appealing. I am impressed!
As a bullshit detector, I can say that you are bluffing about your career.
If i ever make a film in future.. I would like to thank this particular channel first of all . Because these guys are covering a valid yet various topics related to film making. I would wholeheartedly say that Studiobinder is my first and best guru to learn about film making 🙏🙏🙏
Good luck!
To go back to the very early sound films a hand clap from an actor was also used. End slates are also used in some special effects / armoury scenes where pyro devices are triggered by blank gunfire. The sound clapper can accidently trigger the pyro if a 'audio trigger switch' is used. I can't say much more because I don't want to give away all the film industry secrets which need to be kept secret squirrel.
Well this was awesome. I didn't realize there was so much detail and protocol. Thank you for this!
Hope it helps!
Oh great. The other latter information pertaining a clapperboard/slate I didn't know. Now I'm all clued up about it thanx to StudioBinder! You're great guys. Free film school tuition. Lol!
Class in session!
Thank you for including Slates for Sarah Jones clapperboards at 3:25 and 6:05
Of course :)
I never knew all the details on how this was used. Very enlightening.
I've always wanted to know this since I was a kid and finally 35 years old a you tube video shows me. Thanks.
This is the most concise video on film slating I've seen 😊 slates have saved my butt many times 😅
Glad it helped!
Best explanation on slates I've ever heard!
I could have lived without this knowledge, but I'm glad that I know it now. TQ❤
I'm trying to increase the quality of my videos/become more efficient with the process. This was extremely useful for someone with no background in filmaking. Thanks!
This is cool! I knew about the sound syncing but not so much the rest. I am thoroughly impressed by how important this piece of equipment is for filmmaking. Thanks
Learning everyday something from this channel
👍👍
Good job in showing a variety of bts's using clappers to drive the point of how important they are for any production home
That’s so amazing! I never knew. Now I need to order one for my short films 😊
Good luck!
I smiled troughout the whole video. I love clapperboards.
Thanks for the video! Great as always
Can't do without them!
10:00 Now I know why the clapperboard was held upside down in Johnny Cage's story section in MK1.
This is one of the best channels. Thanks for the indepth insight
Happy to help :)
I’ve always been amazed how they keep track of the scenes in a movie, especially when they don’t film in chronological order
MOS
Initials printed on a clapboard and appearing at the start of a take to indicate that the scene was shot without sound. In the early days of sound films, technical personnel were often foreigner-born and these initials stand for "mit out sound," the way such an instruction might have been spoken by a German director or member of the camera crew.
The Complete Film Dictionary
(2nd Edition, ISBN 0-14-051393-0)
Ira Konigsberg
Penguin Reference
Nice! This video is definitely going into the playlist!
Highly Highly Informative Content 🙏🙏🙏❤️ thanks alot
Cheers!
As a nobody who love to edit a video.. i know the stick function is to easier the editing process.. but this video just blew my mind. 😂😍
Seems pretty clear; it's like a receipt for each take...
Learned so much here, thanks for sharing this knowledge.
Cheers!
Hi, I'm a 1st AC (focus puller) and there are errors in what you've shared:
The camera operator should not be telling the AC if the slate is in frame. A good 2nd AC is able to measure the distance the slate has to be depending on the lens and will be skilled enough to fill the frame almost perfectly. This is a skill that takes time but absolutely is the standard. The formula goes as such: 10mm=1ft in distance from camera. If you're shooting with a 35mm lens the slate should be 3.5ft from the camera's sensor, not the front element of the lens, the sensor. The harder part is telling the height which comes with practice, very often there will be filters on the camera's and you can see the reflection of the slate in the filter to check your height when your eyes are at the same level. Some of the most talented 2nd AC's don't even get a call from the 1st AC's to mark it. They can check the camera via lights on it to see if it's recording and will watch the focus motors move as the 1st AC grabs the focus on the slate, then they'll call it out without being instructed to.
The frame rate should ALWAYS be noted, especially if you're using a different frame rate from 24 fps.
The roll needs to be noted on the slate, as in the number of the current media or film: A003 means the third card etc.
I wanted to add that modern timecode is highly unreliable, not in the sense that it's failing constantly, but usually there's an issue every once in a while just because of batteries, power for cameras, and in some cases some of the newest high end cameras have software issues that drop frames messing up the sync when it jumps to it's low light setting. This is why the mark (clap) is still used. It saves those scenes if AC's don't notice this until later.
Also if you want to 2nd or are a 2nd AC for the love of God please hold the slate in the frame 1-2 seconds after you clap it. The motion blur that happens when the slate is pulled can make that clap unusable.
Thanks for these clarifications! We have some follow-up questions for you, if you're available. Can you message us on IG? YT doesn't do direct messages. Thanks!
This is fantastic, and much more deep than what I thought it was
I've never wondered this before, but now I need to know
Wow- saw this often and never knew. Quite complex.
I’m 1:30 in and you easily earned my subscription.
I haven't watched the video yet but i know it's definitely a way to organize the hundreds of shots one movie can make.
I miss that cool Deep voice from that Old Guy.😢 Great Video @Studiobinder
Thanks for watching!
You're the real God for youth like me who are interested in film making industry ❤
Great stuff as always!
YOU ARE COMING BACK
Making a comeback every Monday!
I’m a 59 year old Las Vegas Dj and Slot Machine 🎰 Technician. I’m also an Electrical Engineering Technician.
I’m from New Jersey and been on the West Coast for about 20 years. Lived in LA for 4 years. I see them all the time.
Now l know what they are!
When I shot my student project 30 years ago, I stopped doing slates after the first couple takes because I had so little budget for film. I ended up losing the sound reel though, so it didn't matter in the end...😂
One way to make my week❤
Have a good week!
before watching the video i'm gonna share my personal knowledge, then watch what else i can learn:
syncing audio with video basically.. it is very important for the clapperboard to make a clapping sound for this very reason.. without the sound, it becomes harder (but not impossible) to perfectly sync the spoken dialogue of the scene with the recorded footage..
there's also information on the board that lets the editor know where the scenes are located..
And now I know more than I did yesterday.
Went through my entire undergrad in media production and never even saw a single student AD use this. Insane.
I know quite well which camera settings to choose and what they do etc.
I'd have never thought that using a clapperboard would be much more confusing...
haha in application it's not that complex!
Short answer: clip video-audio sync in post-production plus scene identification.
Big fan of your work from india🇮🇳 brother💖....
Cheers!
Superb knowledge 🙂
Film knowledge!
I went to film school and I had no idea about most of the stuff. I knew it was for sound and editing but that’s it
This seems like it would be a fun job.
Tail slate is also used indicate that the slate is being used at the end of a scene
Fascinating
Maybe it’s just me. But where did you guys found all this footage of Slates. Where is all this material stored. Btw great vid
at 4:00 why does the clapper say Outfit when the film said at the bottom left is titled Cruella?
It was the working title
Productions use an obscure title to discourage piracy.
So it is not just some movie-culture gimmick, I see now! 😅😆. Great video though, I love such kind of informations! 😃
thanks to tom scott i knew the purpose before clicking, because he has a video about clapping to sync things, this is just an external method of the same effect..minus the other info obviously, which is likely only useful for large scale professional productions ,most youtubers etc can just clap loudly.
ROLLING, CLAP, ACTION 📹📽️
Sometimes though I have noticed on some films or movies that there is a credit for the 2nd Assistant Camera AND a separate one for the Loader - sometimes called a Central Loader. What is the procedure in that instance given the job of the 2nd AC is to load the camera and do the slate
Camera Loader is a separate position in the camera department, usually added when the job gets too big or complicated for either the 2nd AC or the DIT to handle loading duties in addition to their other duties. Generally, movies/tv shows/commercials will always have a full camera department just for efficiency.
The 2nd AC’s main job is to support their 1st AC by helping to: build the camera rig, move the camera for each setup, help change lenses, grab accessories needed by the DP or Camera Operator, change and charge batteries, push the camera carts around, lay floor marks for the actors and camera positions during rehearsals, help the 1st AC grab focus marks, and so on. Slating is pretty far down the list of actual duties, since you only need to do it once everyone is set to shoot. 99% of the job is getting the camera ready to shoot as efficiently as possible.
On a film job without a Loader, the 2nd AC will need to disappear from set from time to time and return to the darkroom on the camera truck to load/unload film mags. If there’s a lot of work to be done on set, then this is just not feasible and a dedicated Loader is hired. On a job with multiple cameras and high speed shooting (slow motion), there may be more than one Loader with one person in charge (hence, Central Loader).
The Loader will also keep inventory of remaining film stock, and fill out time cards for the other department members.
On a digital job, they will handle the loading/offloading of cards in conjunction with the DIT. This means that they are not stuck on the camera truck and can also help out on set with other duties that the 2nd AC needs done.
On a smaller job, the DIT may handle the duties of the Loader. Or if there is no DIT, then the 2nd AC will handle it. But it’s a lot of work regardless.
We may cover this and more in a more comprehensive film production video!
@@satsmura On some low-budget films I was the AC - I pulled focus, loaded film, operated the slate, and managed the camera equipment. Once you have done all the jobs, its simply a matter of choreography and budgeting of time to coordinate all of your tasks smoothly. Of course, I was not know as the most sociable member of the crew since I was always busy.
@@aliensoup2420 Yes, I’ve done the same on very small projects where the producer, director and DP (and actors) are willing to wait for the work to be done. But once the job gets bigger and you are expected to be ready to shoot all the time, it is simply not possible to do the job by yourself without help, no matter how organized you are.
The best 1st ACs are good business managers who can delegate most of their tasks, stay by their DP’s side, and anticipate their needs. They can’t do that if they are constantly disappearing from set to charge batteries, download media, or to grab something from the truck. As the saying goes, use your walkie (or wireless comm these days).
@satsumura Thanks that helps out my confusion a lot
I love how we’re all watching this… as if we will ever need to know this.
Here's my question: Why do they still make them completely flat and with just a plain hinge, so a person has to hold it awkwardly in two hands or even more awkwardly with one? I'd put a handle on the back or on both sides, and make the clapper spring-loaded and operated with a trigger, so it can be easily held out in one hand.
Posting at 4 am? Does that help with the algo or sumthin'? Great vid as always tho :)
Here in Brazil it's 8am, maybe they're posting to another location's timezones :)
10am gmt is good time I reckon
It's all part of the plan
Namste 🙏From India
Shyam Bansiwala Assistant Director (Indian Film Industry)
please could you explain more slowly - sorry i can be wrong but i think if you are explain more slowly then it will be better for beginner Bcs i personally face the problem with it ,
personally i believe in watch and learn videos more times so that i can better learn but some time i have to watch videos repeat and repeat all bcs of fast flow ,
so i request to you if it is possible to you so please explain more slowly and more deeply
thank you so much for your all videos
i love this channel
i LOVE making MOVIES.
Slating is all about the editing room. This goes for both audio AND visuals. 🙂 However, these days, with technology it's probably a lot easier to identify "shot #43, take 02" without having to scroll through footage like back in the "reel" days. Seriously. Has anyone ever worked with actual film? 😁 I did. Like 24+ years ago. Tedious.
🐲✨🐲✨🐲✨
Europeans use that numbering system. Instead of Scene/setup, they use Slate number.
So how is the slate marked when you have run out of letters of the alphabet for the complex multi-shot scene you are filming?
Letters can be stacked. After you have run the length of the alphabet, you start over with a 2nd letter : AA, AB, AC... . The script supervisor is in charge of defining the shot labels.
@@aliensoup2420 Nice
Straight to the point is at 2:41 . That's all you need to know.
Interesting the camera assist is wearing heels… when she takes the first scene board. Hmmmm…..’❤😂I’ve never been on a shoot before like that! Must be the jungle love ?
I'm pretty sure the slates for the people editing the film so they know which ones pieces belong where and how many of each scene was made so they can go through them and keep track😮
Q. Why don't modern day / "Smart" Clapperboards use SMPTE timecode to sync sound? You could just have a button and no clack required
Smart slates do have running time code on them, but timecode is not all that reliable. It's great for getting the rough sync in place, but everything still has to be fine tuned with the clap.
As a professional editor, thank you.
Amazing Kill Bill reference
F W Thring had actually invented a very good thring for film making (it is almost prophetic that he almost made to Mr. Film Working Thring. Mr. F W Thring)
10:00 is there any reason to flip the slate upside down for tail slating in the digital format? i find that unnecessary and yet no explanations found from anyone yet.
Partly force of habit and tradition, but is also useful in certain situations. For example, If they miss the tail slate and cut the canera, they'll usually shoot a clip of an upside-down board, to mark what the previous clip should have been marked as. They'll do something similar if they front-slate, but get the information wrong so make a correction at the end.
It's generally useful to have the convention that an upside down board refers to the previous clip or take, not the next clip or take.
I just used them acording to script for example kitchen scen first meet scen clappped
Because.
Just saved you 10 minutes of your life.
I should be going to work at my retail cashier job
This video gives a probably unintended insight into the not very flashy parts of the movie business. Everybody wants to be an actor, but we like to forget, that the fun parts are only sprinkled in between many boring parts. Being responsible for the slate might be damn important, but also incredibly dull, at least in my eyes.
I did not realize
Still waiting for another director's seat featuring our melancholic boy wong kar wai
What happened to The Voice? The guy that had the voice that should be in movies this guy is good but the other guys accent and the way he talks was really elegant
He's working on vids with us!
for sound
All of this free information is borderline life-changing to individuals new to filmmaking with no resources. Your channel and content is the perfect launch pad and reference point for filmmaking knowledge. I’ve gained so much information from this channel. I can’t thank you enough.
That's the goal!
Just remember studiobinder doesn't get everything right. Use it as a guideline not a rulebook.
Important thing to note, for those who may not know: the clap is _not_ a cue for the actors to start performing. Actors do not begin until the director calls action, which comes after slating.
Wow, I never knew that. Thanks! 👍
@@blockmasterscott It's not obvious. The reason for that is to ensure that nothing gets missed waiting on the camera. So, the camera and audio gear will start, then the clapper board then after that the director will decide to start the actual scene The other way of thinking is that the clapperboard needs to come before whatever it is that you're trying to film, so the actors can't start acting until after it is out of frame. Likewise, it is part of the record of the take, so the camera and needs to be rolling and the sound itself used to be used to help sync the sound sources. Although these days, most folks use timecode generators if they're doing anything significant just because they don't need to take the time to sync the frame to the sound itself, the time code and video editing gear do that for you.
@@SmallSpoonBrigade Dude, that is so cool. I really enjoyed reading this. I’m always reading and learning about stuff. Thank you. 👍
@@blockmasterscott It's one of those things that isn't really obvious unless you're on set seeing it work. I only did one educational program segment, which was enough to know that I'd be miserable trying it as a job, but it was quite interesting to see what goes on.
I was always wondering why actors seems to keep chatting after the clapper has gone off. Thanks
The only channel that brings to the table something new every single time and does not end up with repetitive content . Way to go !
💖💖
Yeah it’s kind of shocking that every video on this channel is technically an ad for the studio binder product. In a world where almost all of this kind of “content” is hastily put together to generate SEO towards the product’s checkout page (think every garbage blog post on every company’s website), it’s weird how every video on this channel is genuine educational content with just a sprinkling of product placement. Great job.
What is SEO ?
I agree kus they actually know what they are talking about
@@PopCultureGianSearch Engine Optimization
In one of the A Bug's Life "outtakes" there is a scene where they end the shot and as a gag, Woody steps in to back slate. I remember having to repeat myself over and over explaining that the fact Woody is holding the slate upside-down is not a joke, it's actual filmmaking etiquette.
👍👍
Hahaha nice
Uhm... Woody in 'A Bug's Life'?
Yes, Woody in 'A Bug's Life.' He appears in one of the "outtakes" at the end of the film.@@Mekuzee_Khen
I’m not a filmmaker and I didn’t know that there was this much complexity to it. I like learning/uncovering entirely new worlds I didn’t even think exist, I used to think it was just some dumb prop/trope that the film industry never grew out of
Different movies introduce the villains first and others the protagonist, why and which one should be chosen in different stories? - video idea
I think it depends on what the story and message one want the film to be about.
Often the first scene establishes the theme of a film, maybe a antagonist struggles and reason of action will be reflected in similar way to the Main protagonist along the story.
Starting with the protagonist will maybe therfore do the opposite. Introduce a theme that will affect the antagonist later, and it's their reaction to that theme that moves the plot
Batman movies
Thanks for the suggestion!
Hello StudioBinder team,
I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible content you share on your UA-cam channel.
Your insights and guidance on movie-making have been invaluable to me.
Your dedication to providing useful and informative content truly shines through, and I'm incredibly thankful for the knowledge and inspiration you've provided.
Keep up the fantastic work! 🙏👏👏👏
Warm regards from Poland🙋
second this
Happy filming ❤
im an editor and i hate when people who shoots are too lazy to clap/slate, its an industry standard procedure and it really helps everyone in post and production stages, and yet... they called themselves professionals sheesh...
I've done plenty of editing myself but I've also been on the set a lot and understand why it sometimes happens.
However, with my editor's hat on, as desperate it gets on the set or location please folks at least clap your hands together or tap the end of a mic in shot.
If all else fails, a few frames of the shot and take number scribbled on a piece of paper after the grabbed shot won't hurt either.
Definitely should!
This was just fascinating!
Thanks studiobinder for this 👍
I was curious about this from long time but hadn't made effort to know how the slate is used
There are just so many things to know about filmmaking, these kind of deep dives makes anyone appreciate each and every process!
That's the goal!
LIKE WOW!!! I also knew that the slate was used for syncing sound, but the lessons after that blew my mind. Once again, thank you Studio Binder for this lesson. I have a more in-depth take on the this simple device. I would recommend another lesson on the slate combined with how to manage a movie set, on all levels. This would help novice filmmakers get a better feel of how to conduct their projects with so many moving elements. Again, thank you!!!
Appreciate the feedback!
Who knew something so simple could be so complicated
Just need to be thorough :)
As just somebody who just watches films, I found this "behind the scenes" info absolutely fascinating. Thank you.
THis channel really just takes what we, the zero-budget and wannabe filmmakers, want to ask but have no idea how to ask it and explains it in perfect detail. Etiquette and informational, lovely video, thank you.
Glad the vids have been helpful!
It's useful for huge productions, that have several hours of media to go over in post production. The DIT will log the dailies (coverage) into bins for easier access in post production. On big productions, the 2nd AC (assistant camera) will be in charge of actually "slating". 1st AC should be able to slate in case the 2nd AC is not on set (rarely, if ever happens). In fact, everyone in the camera department should know how to slate properly. The crazy thing is this: the sound department is responsible for providing, and setting up the smart slate(s). Dummy slates are usually in both the Camera Department and Sound Department, and are not very expensive. Smart slates usually cost $900+.
👌
Lol most smart slates I see are $2000+ now.
@@Mssmilelovejoy Deity smart slates start at $999, on the modest end and go from up there. I didn't know you wanted a price sheet on all smart slates. FFS. Which is why I put $900+ Where did you get yours?
It's incredible how these days you can easily get access to some invaluable information regarding almost any topic by people willing to share their knowledge and expertise.
That's something you could only dream of a couple of decades ago.
For me, this is the greatest gift of this era ❤
Knowledge!
This thing has been one of those things that has just existed without question. Our minds have accepted and tuned out their existence for such a long time
Awesome video. In Europe the slate is treated a bit different. We start with slate 1, take 1. Slate 2, take 1 etc.
And every 1111, 2222 ,3333 etc. slate there is champagne for everybody!
🥂