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.
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 ?
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 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
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
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.
Hello StudioBinder team, I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible content you share on your TH-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🙋
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 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!
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?
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.
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.
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...
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!
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?
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
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
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 ❤
Just to correct : It's not the 2nd AC who says "mark" before slating, but the 1st AC, who indicates to the 2nd AC that the camera is rolling and that the slate can be "marked" :)
In my experience, the 2nd AC announces "marker" just before clapping to identify the following sound as the clapper. The 2nd AC is closest to the microphone, so their voice will be best recorded along with the clapper. True, the 1st AC will announce camera rolling and instruct the 2nd to slate the shot. This is necessary to insure that the camera is rolling and at speed, and that the slate is in focus before the slate is clapped. To preserve film, the sound recordist will pre-slate his tape for each take, using a private microphone to record his voice identifying the scene and take # before the shot. Thus valuable film is not wasted while the 2nd AC announces the scene and take #. These few seconds add up over time, amounting to an entire roll of film consumed just for slates. Every second counts on a low-budget production, so a tightly choreographed procedure is necessary.
A tip for anyone who will be slating anything soon, for an ideal positioning you want to take the focal length of the lens and divide it by 10 - and then hold the slate that far away! Ie 50mm lens = roughly 5 feet away, 75mm lens = slate 7 and a half feet away etc! Also some loaders tend to tilt the whole board down before clapping as general practice just to make sure that the ‘clap’ of the sticks is definitely in frame ! This is also done on tighter shots where you might not have a smaller board accessible.
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 🙏🙏🙏
I'm just a tourist on this channel: I've never been involved with movie production and I never will be. Nevertheless, I know that your videos have made me better at scriptwriting because 10 seconds after I said to myself, "They are about to tell us, 'You can use a clapperboard and our software to make a great movie,'" you told us just that. You've trained me well.
This was very informative. I purchased a clapper board for shooting my own videos because it was easier / faster syncing audio when scratch audio isn't possible but I didn't know all these related details regarding scenes and markers. Really appreciate this video. Very cool!
Our daughter is a film director. It is so informational to learn all that goes on at a set! Great job and super neat clips of actual movies being cut! Thanks
6:15 -- I have always favored the legend that "MOS" means "Mit out sound," as German directors mixed their native language and English (in German, the word "without" is "ohne"). A claimed alternate origin is that it meant "motor only shot," meaning only the camera. This explanation is clunky, and highly unlikely . . .an industry that made up so many fanciful terms for things (such as "Goofy Foot") would NOT have created such a technical term to replace "no sound" or "silent," but certainly would have adopted an injoke such as the favored explanation.
Thank you so much for making this! I've been on so many student/indie productions that don't mark shoots accordingly and it gets frustrating. Now I can reference this great video! ❤🎬👏
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!
For extra credit, check out our long form interviews with industry professionals in our new channel, StudioBinder Academy! www.youtube.com/@StudioBinderAcademy
on set actually no one says lights, they should already be on and in place. You can read about the whole process in our article! www.studiobinder.com/blog/how-to-use-a-film-slate-the-slate-explained/
I love how at 7:26 the narrator says "The sticks should ALWAYS begin open..." Then in the very next shot shows an example of someone not doing that very thing... 😂
There is one thing I don't understand. In several of your other videos you say that a scene is further subdivided in so called "shots". So shouldn't is be scene/shot/take? can't see this on the slates.
Incredible! This channel constantly reminds me why I fell in love with filmmaking in the first place. There are so many moving parts, and always something new and interesting to learn in this craft.
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...😂
If you are recording yourself, literal hand-clapping can be a godsend when figuring out where each of your takes are. If you can clap where the camera can see your hands come together even better. The big spikes on the audio timeline are super easy to find.
It can be, but at this point, time code generators aren't exactly expensive. A software time code generator that can be fed into the mic jack of a camera can be had for less than a $20 dollars and makes the hand clapping largely pointless. The main thing that the clapping does beyond that is make it easy to visually see the takes as you scan through the video.
Sort of. The stripes are for general visibility. When watching the clap frame by frame, you only need to find the first frame where the sticks are closed. This frame is pretty obvious without needing any kind of fine alignment of the stripes. Watch this vid at very slow speed and you'll see what the editor sees.
This channel always expand my knowledge and make me respect every person in film industry who help create our beloved movies. Thank you for your interesting and useful content as always!
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!
some movie productions try to maintain a low profile to not attract attention. Choosing an obscure working title protects the footage from potential pirates.
I wish a channel like Studio Binder would make an essay about what is Fanservice. I feel that it is a big component of many movies, for better or worse, which is often overlooked
Even if I never encounter a live clapperboard in my life, I learned a great deal about it! :D Who knows, I might actually be in a little short film or something and remember this video... Right now though, thanks so much for explaining! I thought the clapperboard was just to tell scene and take and give the actor(s) a second to prepare themselves. Ha ha!
My dad was a member of the DGA and was a voting member of the academy awards. I have his chalk board clapper board (pre-digital, no time code and not a white board). It has so much gaffer tape residue on the back from different scenes and productions he used it on.
It's interesting how a such an analog invention ended up still being so relevant, if not even more relevant and useful, because of the advent of digital editing. You'd think they'd make cameras where you're able to program all the scene information into it, so it'll be graphics on the screen. But I guess that'd be to much of a pain in the butt and it's just easier and faster to have someone physically hold up a sign in front of it.
It's not really necessary these days. Timecode generators aren't that expensive and are integrated into the video itself. The clapperboard is still nice in that it can be used to include the shooting details on the scene you're filming along what whatever take number you're on. Plus, it is a nice double check to see that everything is in sync. But, it's not as important as it used to be when people had to hand sync the video to the audio and were doing so based on the runtime of the audio versus the number of frames of video. Even in the '80s, I don't remember anybody using such a thing anytime I was being filmed professionally. Granted, two of the times it was for the news and I don't think news videographers do that as they've got fewer takes and anything they're shooting is going to be on a given segment until the move to the next one.
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...
Amazing! I had no idea! Something I felt was so inconsequential to a film is actually a major vertebrae in backbone to the process of filming. I am definitely going to subscribe! If this detailed description of a common (to me) everyday object, to which, actually has profound meaning then I'm a fan of this channel. Thank you!
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
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
Yes, even a smaller production like the one I was in as a kid is still a pretty complicated thing to get right. I don't remember there being a clapperboard involved, but that was the '80s and by that point, timecode was already a thing and the tape that I got later on was for production use and had the timecode displayed so that when they did the editing, they could use that. Presumably the audio gear they were using to record also had the same timecode as well. With that stuff, there's little point to the clapper part of the board, you just need something to keep track of which takes are where.
![ได้เวลา! พาน้องแฝดฉีดวัคซีนครบ 1 เดือน🫣 [cc] แดนแพทตี้ SS2 | EP.52 |](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IzeLtaXBLNE/mqdefault.jpg)
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...
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 ?
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
I always wondered about Clapperboards! Thank you for making this video! Always so useful as always!
Thanks for watching!
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
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!
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
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!
Hello StudioBinder team,
I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for the incredible content you share on your TH-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 ❤
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 :)
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!
As just somebody who just watches films, I found this "behind the scenes" info absolutely fascinating. Thank you.
10:00 Now I know why the clapperboard was held upside down in Johnny Cage's story section in MK1.
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?
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.
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!
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...
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!
🥂
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?
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
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
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!
Well this was awesome. I didn't realize there was so much detail and protocol. Thank you for this!
Hope it helps!
Just to correct :
It's not the 2nd AC who says "mark" before slating, but the 1st AC, who indicates to the 2nd AC that the camera is rolling and that the slate can be "marked" :)
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In my experience, the 2nd AC announces "marker" just before clapping to identify the following sound as the clapper. The 2nd AC is closest to the microphone, so their voice will be best recorded along with the clapper. True, the 1st AC will announce camera rolling and instruct the 2nd to slate the shot. This is necessary to insure that the camera is rolling and at speed, and that the slate is in focus before the slate is clapped. To preserve film, the sound recordist will pre-slate his tape for each take, using a private microphone to record his voice identifying the scene and take # before the shot. Thus valuable film is not wasted while the 2nd AC announces the scene and take #. These few seconds add up over time, amounting to an entire roll of film consumed just for slates. Every second counts on a low-budget production, so a tightly choreographed procedure is necessary.
A tip for anyone who will be slating anything soon, for an ideal positioning you want to take the focal length of the lens and divide it by 10 - and then hold the slate that far away! Ie 50mm lens = roughly 5 feet away, 75mm lens = slate 7 and a half feet away etc! Also some loaders tend to tilt the whole board down before clapping as general practice just to make sure that the ‘clap’ of the sticks is definitely in frame ! This is also done on tighter shots where you might not have a smaller board accessible.
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.
Ive been on multiple film, music and YT video shoots multiple times and this little device each time has saved lots of time in editing,
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!
I'm just a tourist on this channel: I've never been involved with movie production and I never will be. Nevertheless, I know that your videos have made me better at scriptwriting because 10 seconds after I said to myself, "They are about to tell us, 'You can use a clapperboard and our software to make a great movie,'" you told us just that. You've trained me well.
Never say never
😂 Happy writing
The bit at the start with all the clapperboards in sync with the music might be one of the most satisfying things I’ve seen on the Internet
Glad you liked it!
This was very informative. I purchased a clapper board for shooting my own videos because it was easier / faster syncing audio when scratch audio isn't possible but I didn't know all these related details regarding scenes and markers. Really appreciate this video. Very cool!
Our daughter is a film director. It is so informational to learn all that goes on at a set! Great job and super neat clips of actual movies being cut! Thanks
6:15 -- I have always favored the legend that "MOS" means "Mit out sound," as German directors mixed their native language and English (in German, the word "without" is "ohne"). A claimed alternate origin is that it meant "motor only shot," meaning only the camera. This explanation is clunky, and highly unlikely . . .an industry that made up so many fanciful terms for things (such as "Goofy Foot") would NOT have created such a technical term to replace "no sound" or "silent," but certainly would have adopted an injoke such as the favored explanation.
Interesting trivia!
As he was explaining each thing I kept thinking, holy crap this is so useful
We hope so :)
Thank you so much for making this! I've been on so many student/indie productions that don't mark shoots accordingly and it gets frustrating. Now I can reference this great video! ❤🎬👏
Happy to help :)
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!
It's official. Who needs school when you have Studio Binder!?!?
For extra credit, check out our long form interviews with industry professionals in our new channel, StudioBinder Academy! www.youtube.com/@StudioBinderAcademy
What exactly happens when the director says light, camera, action.. Who does what? When does the director say? Please explain this in full details ❤🙏🏻
on set actually no one says lights, they should already be on and in place. You can read about the whole process in our article! www.studiobinder.com/blog/how-to-use-a-film-slate-the-slate-explained/
This is exactly what I needed. Thank you for such an informative video!
Glad you liked it!
I love how at 7:26 the narrator says "The sticks should ALWAYS begin open..." Then in the very next shot shows an example of someone not doing that very thing... 😂
😂😂
That’s so amazing! I never knew. Now I need to order one for my short films 😊
Good luck!
There is one thing I don't understand. In several of your other videos you say that a scene is further subdivided in so called "shots". So shouldn't is be scene/shot/take? can't see this on the slates.
Incredible! This channel constantly reminds me why I fell in love with filmmaking in the first place. There are so many moving parts, and always something new and interesting to learn in this craft.
Always something new to learn 🔥
Loose the stupid, distracting, repeating music. I don't watch videos with mindless, useless background music.
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...😂
8:13 of course, no Tarantino movie would be complete without toes and feet essentials...
She knew what was the priority
If you are recording yourself, literal hand-clapping can be a godsend when figuring out where each of your takes are. If you can clap where the camera can see your hands come together even better. The big spikes on the audio timeline are super easy to find.
It can be, but at this point, time code generators aren't exactly expensive. A software time code generator that can be fed into the mic jack of a camera can be had for less than a $20 dollars and makes the hand clapping largely pointless. The main thing that the clapping does beyond that is make it easy to visually see the takes as you scan through the video.
Who knew there was so much to learn about clapperboards! Thanks - that was awesome
Part of the fundamentals :)
The slate has stripes so you can syncronize the sound with the first frame where the strips match.
Sort of. The stripes are for general visibility. When watching the clap frame by frame, you only need to find the first frame where the sticks are closed. This frame is pretty obvious without needing any kind of fine alignment of the stripes. Watch this vid at very slow speed and you'll see what the editor sees.
This is the most concise video on film slating I've seen 😊 slates have saved my butt many times 😅
Glad it helped!
This is the kind of detailed info I love.
Us too :)
This channel always expand my knowledge and make me respect every person in film industry who help create our beloved movies. Thank you for your interesting and useful content as always!
Thanks for watching!
Tail States are the worst....9/10 sound or camera cuts.
not the most ideal but sometimes necessary
Great video ! Please make a video on the director's viewfinder.
Thanks for the suggestion!
wow! so much info I never knew I wanted and probably wouldn't have gotten anywhere else. thanks so much, guys
Hope it helps!
*Finished the video* Brain goes "MARK ‼️" 😊
Quiet on set!
Still waiting for another director's seat featuring our melancholic boy wong kar wai
Where did you get that footage of a young John Travolta at 2:30?
It's all online
Would love to see a Video about Equipment which is used to record Audio on set
Thanks for the suggestion!
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!
👏MEME👏REVIEW
yeah no, we have a better replacement
So insightful, thank you so much!
Cheers!
at 5:23 why does that clapper said Stellar Vortex when the film is titled Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness?
It was the working title
some movie productions try to maintain a low profile to not attract attention. Choosing an obscure working title protects the footage from potential pirates.
The digital ones or smart slates are around $1400.
Yeah they're expensive
Highly Highly Informative Content 🙏🙏🙏❤️ thanks alot
Cheers!
I wish a channel like Studio Binder would make an essay about what is Fanservice. I feel that it is a big component of many movies, for better or worse, which is often overlooked
Thanks for the suggestion!
Even if I never encounter a live clapperboard in my life, I learned a great deal about it! :D Who knows, I might actually be in a little short film or something and remember this video... Right now though, thanks so much for explaining! I thought the clapperboard was just to tell scene and take and give the actor(s) a second to prepare themselves. Ha ha!
If you ever need a reference, this video will always be here ;)
@@StudioBinder That's what I like!! :D Thanks!
My dad was a member of the DGA and was a voting member of the academy awards. I have his chalk board clapper board (pre-digital, no time code and not a white board).
It has so much gaffer tape residue on the back from different scenes and productions he used it on.
It's interesting how a such an analog invention ended up still being so relevant, if not even more relevant and useful, because of the advent of digital editing. You'd think they'd make cameras where you're able to program all the scene information into it, so it'll be graphics on the screen. But I guess that'd be to much of a pain in the butt and it's just easier and faster to have someone physically hold up a sign in front of it.
It's not really necessary these days. Timecode generators aren't that expensive and are integrated into the video itself. The clapperboard is still nice in that it can be used to include the shooting details on the scene you're filming along what whatever take number you're on. Plus, it is a nice double check to see that everything is in sync. But, it's not as important as it used to be when people had to hand sync the video to the audio and were doing so based on the runtime of the audio versus the number of frames of video.
Even in the '80s, I don't remember anybody using such a thing anytime I was being filmed professionally. Granted, two of the times it was for the news and I don't think news videographers do that as they've got fewer takes and anything they're shooting is going to be on a given segment until the move to the next one.
I never knew all the details on how this was used. Very enlightening.
like the new voice, but also miss the old one
There will be both!
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.
I smiled troughout the whole video. I love clapperboards.
Thanks for the video! Great as always
Can't do without them!
We didn’t know it was called a clapper board
👇🏿
I’ve always been amazed how they keep track of the scenes in a movie, especially when they don’t film in chronological order
Seems pretty clear; it's like a receipt for each take...
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!
Amazing! I had no idea! Something I felt was so inconsequential to a film is actually a major vertebrae in backbone to the process of filming.
I am definitely going to subscribe! If this detailed description of a common (to me) everyday object, to which, actually has profound meaning then I'm a fan of this channel.
Thank you!
It’s a good day when studio binder uploads a new video ^^
Every Monday is a good day ;)
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
Where can I get my own clapperboard?
Thank you for including Slates for Sarah Jones clapperboards at 3:25 and 6:05
Of course :)
A lot more complex than I thought. Good breakdown.
this is by far the most informative description of what a slate/clapperboard is. I have always wondered what its use is. Thank you for this.
You are so great StudioBinder. Thanks again.
Thanks for watching!
@@StudioBinder You're welcome.
Wow! There's a lot more to a slate than I realized. Thanks for posting this.
I think it’s used to sync the sound as you can line up the audio track with the clap
Thats just a ridiculous conspiracy theory.
Agreed
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!
I wonder if that "MoonFall" crew knew how bad the movie they were working on was going to be?
😂😂
Dude the amount of work and effort and time that go into making a movie is just insane.
Yes, even a smaller production like the one I was in as a kid is still a pretty complicated thing to get right. I don't remember there being a clapperboard involved, but that was the '80s and by that point, timecode was already a thing and the tape that I got later on was for production use and had the timecode displayed so that when they did the editing, they could use that. Presumably the audio gear they were using to record also had the same timecode as well.
With that stuff, there's little point to the clapper part of the board, you just need something to keep track of which takes are where.
New knowledge.. good 👍
Glad you liked it!
Clackityclickety the clapper commenceity.
Bro is really named Leon Leon? lol
Amazing right?
Why does a tail slate need to be upside down? It's already at the end of a scene. Would this just make it hard to read in the edit?
Just to provide an extra visual cue, normally an AC will turn it back so it can be read
I kept hoping for a slate shot from a movie made seventy or eighty years ago.
--
Not as much BTS footage in those days
Fun fact most crews cut too early during a tail slate to where it just becomes a tail ID
Good point