How To Properly Slate For Film
You might know that this beauty is called a slate or clapper board, but chances are, if you're a first time filmmaker, you're probably using it wrong. So let's go over some tips so you can be slating like a pro.
But before we do that, let's go over why a slate is a vital piece of equipment for any film shoot. A slate basically has two main purposes. First it provides both a visual and an audio reference that can be used to sync the footage with the sound in post. The slate's clapper comes together and when it does the slate produces a loud clap that shows up as an audio spike in the audio wave forms. Editors then use this moment to sync up the audio and video, since most of the time they are recorded separately.
Second, a slate helps provide the video editor with all the important information they might need about the shot. Let's break down all that info, so you know how to read it. First and most important, is the information that takes up the most space on the slate, the roll, scene, and take numbers. A roll number, traditionally referenced which roll of film the specific shot was located on. But nowadays it's used to reference which memory card you're on.
Next, the scene number references the specific scene and shot you're on. For example, you might be shooting scene 1 shot A, so you'd write 1A. You'd then continue with the alphabet chronologically for each new shot in the scene. Just remember though, that when numbering scenes always skip the letters I, O, and Z, because they can look like numbers.
And finally you have the take number. So if you're shooting the first take of the scene, you'd put a one here and continue on a numerical order. Below this section of the slate, you have even more information about the production, such as the title of the film, the name of the director, the director of photography, and sometimes the producer, what frame rate the camera is shooting at ,the date, the shot is being filmed, whether it's day or nights, interior or exterior, and if the audio is being recorded or not.
Okay. So now that you know how to read the info on a slate, let's dive into some slating tips. First, you want to make sure you fill up the frame with the slate. This way the editor can clearly read all of the information. Next, make sure the clap is also visible in frame because if it's not, it's going to be useless to your editor in post.
If you clap the slate and the clap either wasn't in frame or perhaps just not useful, you'll want to use second sticks. Second sticks is where you clap the slate again, to ensure a good clean clap in the audio. Now, when you're calling on the slate, you only need to say the scene and take numbers. However you want to use a word that starts with the first letter of the scene.
So for example, you might be shooting scene 1A, but you'd call it out as one alpha or one Apple. Then you'll want to follow that up with the word marker. Before you clap the slate. This helps the editor know that the audio spike they are hearing is indeed the clap of the slate. So it should look something like this. Scene one alpha, take two. Marker. If you're shooting with multiple cameras, you'll want to make sure you either slate where both cameras can easily see the slate.
And if you're slating very close to an actor's face, you'll want to make sure you use soft sticks. Soft sticks are when you clap the slate softly, instead of the usual loud clap. This helps protect the talent's hearing and is far less jarring for them.
If you have a particularly tight shot that the slate can't fit in, you can do what's called a tail slate. A tail slate is when you slate the shot at the end of the take. This way, the camera operator can reframe for the slate after they've gotten the shot. To do this, make sure you call out tail slate when slating and bring the slate in upside down. And if you happen to be shooting without sound, you'll want to make sure MOS is selected on the slate and hold your hand between the clapper as an extra visual reference to the editor.
So now, you know everything you need to know about slating, clap on my friends.
Gear Featured In This Video:
➜ Slate: https://amzn.to/39cG2Mh
My Filmmaking Resources:
➜ Rent gear like a pro on BorrowLenses: http://shrsl.com/29h7t
➜ All of my Filmmaking equipment: https://www.amazon.com/shop/laughstashtv
➜ Get Free Filmmaking Checklists through my newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/e071707aca31/fiy
➜ Get my Filmmaking Templates on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/FIY
➜ Learn how to be a successful YouTuber: https://linkedin-learning.pxf.io/BbBN4
➜ Get $10 off of Subtitles and Captions for your videos: https://www.rev.com/blog/coupon/?ref=...
*This post contains affiliate links which give me a small commission once clicked on.