8 Video Production Slate Tricks

[@EricBishard]

You can buy clappers without the slate for marking and syncing audio. So for very low budget stuff and mobile kits, having just those clappers are great for vlogging, and other times when you are recording audio separate from video or both but swapping out the video audio with lav or microphone transmitters/recordeders.

[@NatesFilmTutorials]

You can use End slating after the take but hold it upside down so your editor knows. Thanks to cinematography database.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Should have mentioned that! Good save Nate!

[@NatesFilmTutorials]

Thanks!

[@jeroen2050]

Great video. Here are some tricks i picked up on. - Using letter stencils you can very easy write down names which look good and you can leave them on for an entire production (use permanent marker, you can always get it of by using a whiteboard marker and then an eraser) - I would recommend using Cameratape with colors and using velcro instead of pulling the tape on and of the slate. - When slating, you can know where to put the slate by knowing the lens which is on the camera. 25 mm would give a slate distance of 2,5 feet. 50mm would give 5 feet. This is not a golden rule ofcourse but it's always good to get an idea where you should be. - On a larger production, it's important to give every possible information on the slate, Int. Ext. Just makes the job of being a 2nd AC more fun if you want to do it properly, also write down P.U. For Pick Up. - When you slate after a take, you put the slate upside down to make clear this is not a regular slate - When slating MOS put your hand between the slate or just leave it closed, so it's clear there is not going to be a clap. Thanks for you video

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Great info. Thank you Jeroen!

[@OrigEntertainmentOfficial]

Was just about to mention the last 2 points. Good comment and good video.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Thanks Orig!

[@ToastedSynapseGaming]

Another cool piece of info that can be transmitted by the slate is for MOS shots. Without writing MOS just have the slate in frame, like you usually do, but have your hand inside the clapper so the editor can see that "it can't clap" A.K.A it's MOS

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Good stuff Toasted!

[@RoyalPointEnt]

Using a sharpie to write roll numbers, dates and things that don't change often in the day saves time. You can trace over the sharpie with dry erase marker and you can wipe away the sharpie. Then you don't have to write things like the date 10 times cause you wiped if off from your jeans

[@GregsGarage]

I like the grey card! Used to shoot those on every roll of film. I hadn't considered it as part of the color correction workflow for video.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Thanks Greg! Love me a grey card. Don't always use it, but when I do I always thank myself!

[@GaryDmedia]

Thanks for the great tips for slate use. I've been thinking of using s slate recently. Appreciate it.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Happy to be of service! By the way, great Channel you have there! Just subscribed.

[@sanketss84]

great tips for using the Slate, thanks a lot for sharing this.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Thanks for watching!

[@SoundDiogo]

Great tips! If you own an iPad there are apps like digislate. I've been using it for long and its very versatile, being able to add or remove any information using zero ink. You can actually have timecode rolling on it.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Very true!

[@Democratese]

Nice work, been doing the tape trick for a while. Absolutely love it. Never thought of the grey card, genius.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Thanks Democratese!

[@ThiagoTostes]

hey, I was wondering, how do you put the circular logo as a subscribe button at the end of the video and the video that is clicable on mobile phones? thanks

[@ThiagoTostes]

could be it, of course! Thanks bro!!

[@MaxxMcGeeImpactStudios]

This is the new endcard function which is now available for every channel. Even I can use them! You can find them next to your annotation settings.

[@ThiagoTostes]

Thank you very much Maxx McGee - ImpactStudios . It really helped

[@dslrvideoshooter]

That is the new "End Screens" features KZbin is rolling out. You can find it as a tab on the edit page of a video.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Here is a great video breaking the new feature down: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h2XHipyveMxpp5o

[@iryssteel]

ok, right off the bat. Dry wipe markers and permanent markers both have the same solvent base. You can draw over permanent marker with dry wipe and erase it. If you leave Dry wipe on too long, it's just like permanent and the same rule applies. Want to clean a really dirty board all at once? Regular kitchen surface cleaner does the trick. Using tape gums up the board meaning when a 2nd AC does use a dry wipe marker, it will be very difficult to erase as you have to get a different solvent to remove the glue from the tape from the board. Also, using tape means you have to light the board up in more lighting situations. Having pen on perspex means the light from the scene can backlight the information on the board. If there's little to no light falling on the face of the board and you've used tape, you have to light it up with a torch. Granted, you have to do this when it's too dark either way, it just means you have to do it in more situations.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Great info Chris! Thank you for that. As for the tape, I have had those same tape tabs on my slate for a looooong time without any gum-ups.

[@iryssteel]

Fair enough, you probably use better quality tape :)

[@parththakkar5091]

Great idea 👍 thanks

[@Lixiproductions]

I like that kind of videos. They contain pretty good information.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Thanks Lixi!

[@ChrisFrancia]

If someone forgets to erase it and it bakes into the slate you can take a dry erase marker and draw over the baked in text and it will then erase. this also works with permanent marker. although i do like the tape better :) Also we hold the slate with our hand blocking the clapper from being able to close if there will be no sound in the shot (and no clap sync)

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Great idea!

[@TheWindowtree]

Concise and straight to the point, love it! Would love to know an example of Slate Orientation being used? Other than it being upside down for an End-Board / Tail-Slate

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Could be used in several different ways such as card charge, different camera, same take but script change could be anything you want it to be.

[@simongunther999]

I like to put different letters in front of my scene number when having multiple shots in that scene. e.g. Scene A1 is an e-shot Scene B1 is a close up So your editor can find shots easier!

[@PrismElectricalSer]

Thanks for the insight especially Tip 4 & 6, very useful.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Thank you Terry!

[@RiderInRed]

I've noticed that some slates have a lock on hinge that will keep the position, then you press on the top to close it when you want (You don't have to hold on it) unlike mine and yours too. By the way is that a Neewer one?

[@KathleenLeiLimayo]

Nice video. Actually I do the same using tapes. It is really stressful to write and erase on the slate itself. Since I do documentaries, I actually write the names of my interviewees on the tape then when I'm done I place them at the back. This was a good way of tracking all my interviewee names before and during editing.

[@EposVox]

Good stuff! I've always had a terrible time with getting writing off the slates.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Tape FTW!

[@hpierrefrancoisej]

you can use vinyl its easier, you can erase your writings using tissue

[@alaskanfrogman]

@@dslrvideoshooter If you want to preserve your slate's whiteboard, then try using tracing paper. Tape it to your slate board and write on the tracing paper. Your slate board markings will show through nicely, but you won't be writing directly onto the board. If your slate board is ruined from allowing the inks to dry, try to clean off the dry erase ink with rubbing alcohol. Use it sparingly by applying it to a soft cotton cloth. Wipe the dried ink in circular motions. Use a second cotton cloth with more alcohol to wipe away the residue. Polish it gently with a clean dry cotton fabric. You should NEVER write directly onto your slate board. I like using either parchment paper, or tracing paper, which is a less expensive kind of parchment. The great part about using tracing paper is that it is easily replaceable. You can also save the tracing paper and catalog your shoots and takes sequentially. It's a bit of work, but well worth it. However, most of the info will already be cataloged on film if the production is slated correctly. Just a thought.

[@pushREC]

Now just slap a color checker on there aswell and that´s like the most badass slate ever haha

[@dslrvideoshooter]

For sure! I could probably use velcro so I can easily turn my checker around to the color side.

[@jameslarsen9814]

Great video! Your videos are always spot on - so glad I found this channel the other week! Will help me grow as a young cinematographer.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Thank you for the kind words James. Glad to have you aboard!

[@LearnLightAndSoundSessions]

All great ideas Caleb.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Thanks Curtis!

[@MaxxMcGeeImpactStudios]

Amazing tricks and ideas! Do you have a video about good ways to synchronize the audio and video?

[@dslrvideoshooter]

I don't. Software and most NLEs make it so easy these days.

[@createdbytrix]

"Complexit-inggg..." ...I like it! 😋🤓

[@dslrvideoshooter]

I am a man of complex words ;-)

[@createdbytrix]

DSLR Video Shooter lol!

[@funnibird]

is that a neewer slate

[@LaceyFilm]

While this might work for videographer work most of this advice is amateurish and you'd be laughed off a professional film set if you applied it.

[@richardosborn159]

same thing with making your free throws using an underhanded technique... professional doesn't mean better.

[@hamradiocq]

No where does it say, professional movie technique. I got the jist of it, these are tips for small productions like us.

[@FCPWHAT]

LaceyFilm though Indie filmmakers try to keep to a professional way of working as much as possible, some rules can be broken and usually for good reason. I particularly agree with having the slate in shot before the camera is running… makes finding the marker so much easier as it’s visible in the clip thumbnail - something I always do. One thing he should have clarified is that the end slate should be held upside down.

[@gatorsuarez]

you should do a video on the grey card !

[@framefilmstudio]

my man you have all the colors for white balance right there on the slate

[@jadmaalouf1086]

Great stuff! And also, can you do a DIY slate tutorial.

[@922sina]

Thank!

[@sylvankalviac]

really great tips man thanks ;) made me think about pucking up a slate to help with post organization even for my personal youtube videos thanks again ;)

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Thank you for watching Sylvan!

[@sylvankalviac]

+DSLR Video Shooter no problem man ;)

[@MPA188]

I love the idea of attaching grey card, would you mind telling me where you get it?

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Here is the one I use: www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1070560-REG/datacolor_sck24_sypdercheckr_24.html/BI/6566/KBID/7173

[@paulusschmaulus101]

writing numbers on tape is a good idea, but also had bad experience with that. Sometimes you really need the numbers to be as big as possible on the slate. Just something that makes the life for the editor easier and faster sometimes.

[@dareckwook7191]

Can you slate with no dialogue from the actors? or should you?

[@osbornedigital4352]

Thanks!!

[@RegemarkFP]

Sorry for the stupid question Caleb but I was wondering what is the name of the final ssoundtrack you're using in your videos, thanks.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

That not a stupid question at all! The track is called "rebel call" you can search for it on premiumbeat.com.

[@RegemarkFP]

Thanks a million Caleb I found it

[@ReturnJJ]

Nice videos as always. Can you do a video comparing the RØDE VideoMicro vs the VideoMic Go? Thanks!

[@dslrvideoshooter]

I have just such a video being shot right not :-)

[@ReturnJJ]

DSLR Video Shooter nice! Thank you for that! I'm using a GM5 (and nothing else because it's too big and I use it for Vlog, videos like yours and photos) and it doesn't have a mic jack, so what is your best suggestion? H1 + VideoMicro?

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Yes, that would be a great budget sound setup!

[@Shreyfilms]

great informative video

[@eemerald4726]

(1:30 into the video) scene 9. take 11. i wonder what that movie is about 🤔

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Poor choice in numbers I guess!

[@eemerald4726]

Haha, great video either way!

[@davearmano5344]

Hey Caleb! How do you slate multi camera setups? I've been trying to figure out how to keep it in frame, in focus and readable from all cameras Thank you!

[@Sameir8055]

Thank was wonderful. Thank you.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Thanks Sameir!

[@Eastbirds_Lee]

Can it do 4K?

[@melefono4273]

What about slate distance from the camera so you can see the entire slate? How can you determine that quickly?

[@RiderInRed]

My preference and what Caleb says in the video, is to keep it at the same distance as the focus in the scene. Some people prefer to have the slate occupy the entire screen and then shift the focus to the subject, helps a lot at the editing stage but it doesn't work well with manual focus or cinelenses.

[@arntruneflekstad5164]

What about finding a metallic slate and then having small magnetic numbers on the rear ? :)

[@dslrvideoshooter]

That could work! I wouldn't be a fan of the weight though.

[@eddiefernandez8826]

where can we see your work?

[@craigdent8719]

uh, always go as loud as you can with the sticks, unless you are in a small or reverb-y room. Why would you ever go quiet? If i cant distinguish the sticks from normal voices then whats the point?

[@devPunks]

j#PROTIP: No.6 and No. 8 should be combined, Common convention is when the slate is at the tail of the shot then then you slate upside down. Think "Heads / Tails" analogy.

[@FabianMepic]

Nice

[@legosnazzy]

Love this video! I can tell that using slate boards really keeps footage very organized! I didn't know that the clap can pin point your audio clips!

[@lucapappalardo8415]

Hi guys, my name is Luca and I find your channel very intersting. As I'm new to filmmaking and I've got a lumix g7 with 14-140 (mirrorless 4K) I was wondering if you could tell me some tips, advices about focusing and having a not grainy image.....how could I have the best 4K image ? For Christmas I'm gonna buy a 14-42 mm because lots of filmmakers say that it's better for filmmaking than the 14-140 (should I get it ?). Please, I need your help !!!

[@dslrvideoshooter]

The best advice is to make sure you have lots of light so you don't have to raise your ISO levels.

[@EthanMerbaum]

you know you can wb off the grey stripe on the slate....

[@DrRoidberg]

If you use a marker constantly on it i would imagine it becomes grey overtime no?

[@hunnedproofproductions5529]

Christian Horner - haha. Are u trolling with this comment?

[@JuliusPfeiffer]

Really interesting vid bro!

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Thanks Julius!

[@retroholmes]

nice video, keep it up.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Thanks Retro!

[@sandros94]

intro with a Tutorial logo, then right after it "this video is not a tutorial" lmao xD

[@ryanantoniotti5473]

Scene 9 Take 11

[@jmadara]

How long until someone to grabs that Sharpie and write on the slate? I would hide all Sharpies near the slate ;-)

[@dslrvideoshooter]

Haha! Hopefully I never employ someone who would do that to me!

[@TheWindowtree]

Use a whiteboard pen (dry-earase) over the permanent marker, it will come right off. Magic!

[@ChrisFrancia]

Drawing over sharpie with a dry erase marker should remove the sharpie marks

[@ooblickfilms]

Honestly if I tried the majority of these tricks on set I would get yelled at by my Dp. I understand this is not a how to slate video and that they are just tips. Viewers should take this with a grain of salt.

[@dslrvideoshooter]

I'm sure on bigger sets you'd get in trouble for most/all of these, but these tips are mainly for micro crews and/or tiny projects. I probably should have prefaced that in the video. No need to go overboard on slating when you're shooting a small project in an afternoon.

[@ooblickfilms]

No worries, good ideas though.

[@J-Gx]

So many bad tips :/

[@EricBishard]

Dunno, if the tips work for their production it might work for others. As well, would have been great to hear if it were all the tips were bad or just some of them. It really does nobody any good to leave that info out. But at least we know you are somehow superior on your production and slate knowledge.

[@pedrouriartte8904]

Have you tried software slates?

[@logan2669]

Ditch this video and watch the guire rocketjump did, no offense to DSLR video shooter but as his name suggests he doesn't work on a film set.

[@laguerraz7229]

Hey o

[@laguerraz7229]

Hey guys

[@RobSpeaking]

I'm sorry but this is not all good information. Tape like this is terrible. The numbers are messy and TINY. You want to be filling the board with large, clear information with clean hand writing. These tape marks look terrible and would not fly on a proper production. Secondly, less info? Have you seen a slate from an actual tv drama for example. You need ALL info you can tidily and cleanly shown on the board for the editor and DIT.

[@ngbowenng]

first

[@TheHardskrin]

Dislike for 9-11!