PRO TIP: What To Call Out Before "Action!"

A lot of things have to come into place before "Action!" can be called on set. A lot of the time, it will vary from set to set, and sometimes scene to scene, depending on the needs of production. Here we show you the most common sequence of events used by the crew on RocketJump: The Show's last short, "The Tip Jar."
Questions or comments? Do you do it differently? Tell us in the forum! j.mp/BeforeAction
Also head to the forum to see the entire sequence written out.
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This is the eleventh installment of our series following the production of RocketJump: The Show! We'll address different technical aspects of each production each week as new episodes come out.
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International viewers, update for you here: www.rocketjump.com/blog/rjts-i...
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[@CZsWorld]

Most important thing to call out before action: "And..."

[@doubledeuce95]

Oh that dude at the end is legendary.

[@KaliTakumi]

Haha hes just standing there

[@Lastings]

+Don Luu I would be amazing at that job

[@SVAFnemesis]

+Don Luu I wonder if he even gets paid after

[@Ultimus31]

+SVAFnemesis Probably not. The mic probably wasn't even connected to anything. He might not have even been part of the film crew.

[@SVAFnemesis]

Ultimus31 yea he's a film crew wanna-be

[@virgil.alonso]

I have never been on a real set before so I didn't know you needed a PA alone in the back next to craft services. You guys are really next level with this stuff.

[@halaway196]

+Virgil Alonso The Guy's there to keep it clear from any interruptions, such as cars and other things getting in the way as the mic can pick it up in the background which will effectively ruin the take

[@r.acampbell4727]

+Chain Shot not if they moved on to another location thats within walkie use and they forgot about the pa. also true story

[@NachoSCavada]

Oh, the glamorous life of the PA...

[@LittleJur]

Seems in Belgium we have a very short but effective one. Seems we are one of the only ones who don't call the camera: 1. 1st AD says "Silence for shooting" 2. 1st AD says "Sound" 3. Sound engineer says "Rolling" or "Speed" or whatever they fancy 4. 2nd AC reads the slate 5. 1st AC presses Rec on the camera. If it doesn't make a sound (some camera's give a que when rec is pressed) he will say "Slate" or "Mark" or "Clap" 6. 2nd AC slams the sticks 7. 1st AC says set 8. Director says "Action"

[@AnimeZone247]

or you could ask if the camera is set is place, then ask if the camera is rolling

[@MrSuckyVids]

I bet this was confusing to film: "Cut! No, don't cut yet. No that's not the real one"

[@NightHawker258]

Interesting. Here in the UK (or at least on productions i've been on), this is what happens: 1. The 1st AD yells "QUIET ON SET, WE'RE GOING FOR A TAKE" - instead of "Picture's up". He/she then checks if everyone is ready then continues to say: 2. "Roll Sound" -1st AD 3. Sound Recordist starts recording, and responds "Sound Speed" 4. "Call it" -1st AD 5. 2nd Camera Assistant (Clapper/loader) says "Slate/Scene x, Take x" etc... 6. "Roll Camera" -1st AD 7. Camera Operator or 1st Camera Assistant initiates the recording, and responds "Camera Speed" 8. "Slate/mark it" -1st AD (this line is sometimes skipped - for faster/efficient workflow - which is critical when using film) 9. 2nd CA claps/marks the clapper 10. Camera Operator and 1st CA set the camera (refocus from the clapper to the scene and frames it), after doing so camera operator replies "Set" 11. Director then can say "Action!" when he/she feels like the actors are primed and ready for action ^_^

[@sovietroll7880]

Exactly, this is also same in Malaysia and India, where I've worked before. I dunno why American is different

[@martyjackson4166]

NightHawker258 Some in America call that too. Really, what gets called changes a lot depending on director, like they say. My crew generally calls it closer to yours

[@blackbonsai]

Shortly where on my first Set and that Production Assistant is so on point

[@Rbnm22]

Hey guys, just discovered the channel, you are AWESOME! incredible job, awesome tips you're helping me a lot! Please keep up the good work.

[@ericrobertson6289]

Lol, I love the subtle comedy. Amazing!

[@AaronGRandall]

Perfect! Thank you!

[@kiopi94]

Oh how i dont miss being that PA that sits outside alone

[@hexabear8311]

I'm gonna become a production assistant right away!

[@PioneerCinema1]

God I love all this stuff!

[@TevinFosterDP]

thank you for your tips

[@hyperdrivepics]

Poor PA.

[@benhicks8686]

+HyperdrivePics PA's make some cash tho like 1500 an hour

[@djMusicKey]

THX!! 💛 💛 💛

[@Kaipyro67ALT]

I've PA'd before. It's a great learning experience but it sucks when you're literally the only person to leave the group to go do something.

[@sebastianodelleva]

You missed "Mark it" for Slate / Sound sync. Or maybe we just use in the UK.

[@Balthazar2242]

"Check the gate!"

[@folkwhore8322]

Hahaha I remember Narnia kids singing that

[@Instifly]

Im curious, I have always seen the title best boy in film credits, what does the best boy do?

[@KierstenMyerss]

The amount of times I’ve been the PA at the end.

[@34Lillo]

uhh a swiss flag in the background? D:

[@juntistik]

What does "speed" mean? does that mean its the equipment is hitting its normal operating RPM?

[@halaway196]

+juntistik No it's just to let everyone know they've started recording sound/video, the term "speed" comes from when it took a few seconds to get going and reach operating speed which isn't a problem these days.

[@juntistik]

+Chain Shot so pretty much what I asked?

[@halaway196]

juntistik No.. That's how it was before with old equipment, but these days it's just a term to let everyone on set know that you're recording.

[@martyjackson4166]

It means the motor is running at the proper full speed, whether that be for the sound or the film camera. Back in the day, both used motors. Now, it is depends on what equipment you use and what the director and crew prefer. I always direct my projects on real film, so they call out “Speed” for camera and generally just “rolling” for sound, which is recorded digitally.

[@TheBirdieView]

U can film on anything, it's more about the vision than the production value

[@graceybfrg]

”Final checks”, “final adjustments”, ”last looks” so props, hair and make-up get the chance to reset You can also say “turnover camera”

[@farrism.efarnomusstudios57]

+3GreyLeaves I looked at your KZbin Channel to see what you did.... Nice animated blocks

[@SamirArtist]

Hello I would like to use a part of your video

[@BowTieSam]

yeah i used to be that guy outside..

[@magicbrad77]

🎥📽️🎬

[@frankunodostres473]

what is the lone guy on the outside doing?

[@frankunodostres473]

cool, didn't know that!

[@farrism.efarnomusstudios57]

I have a Suggestion: I'm a beginner to film maker for KZbin and I don't have a lot of money for film making. could you show us some practical effects that don't cost much and could look good if you only had a Editing program like Windows movie maker

[@leonardverkade8310]

Pro tip: there is something that is called piracy!! wooow! I dare bet FreddieW and Matt also started out like that

[@3GreyLeaves]

+Leonard Verkade Freddie when to college for 4 years and had a job before starting his youtube carrier. So pirating for him wasn't necessary.

[@DeathBringer769]

+3GreyLeaves Career, not carrier. Two different words there bud. Going to college doesn't give you unlimited funds to get the software you need either. It's silly to assume as fact that going to college means someone never pirated something. Now I'm not saying Freddie necessarily pirated anything or that you need that fancy software to create a good movie/product... but I'm just saying what you said proves nothing.

[@tobylansberry9630]

+Farnomus Studios - Hit Film express is free. It's not as good as the payed stuff you can get, but it's hands-down the best free editing software for film that you can get get without pirating.

[@3GreyLeaves]

Deathbrewer The point that I was making was that he didn't start from nothing. He spent the time to learn and apply his skills. Whether he pirated or not is non of our concerns. I wouldn't be surprised if at some point he had pirated (as I know Niko did a lot of that) but that's not what made him good at what he does.

[@OCUBOX]

Who was the guy outside talking to?

[@leeardamer]

+OCUBOX ...bruh... walkie talkie. To everyone.

[@OCUBOX]

XD, 'bout Stragglers

[@Julietdjones]

Poor Production Assistant in the empty parking lot lol

[@alannatorres9450]

0:27

[@osenseijedi]

Me too, I have the same ritual when I go number 2: Pants down! Rolling! Sound Speed! Action! Wiping! Annndddd cut!!

[@JIMMY_NEMESIS]

ahahah ( on the last part )

[@ThatGuyProductions]

want bts on tip jar!

[@ClovisPictures]

She darts her head to the side a bit too quickly.

[@XavierPeypoch]

The sad and lonely life of the PA...

[@scoop737]

128th!!!

[@zizusami1498]

over acting are we

[@zischler]

why is there a switzerland flag at the wall? :D I'm from switzerland. ^^

[@0AndrewShepherd0]

+zischler The short they were shooting takes place in Switzerland.

[@zischler]

noice! :D

[@XD-dz4to]

Lots of this videos views come from Ms.Perezs class huh?

[@landonp629]

It's.... "Annnnnnddddd.... Action", not just 'action'.

[@SharpDesign]

#lonelyproductionassistant

[@scoop737]

second!

[@David-mg1yj]

Listen carefully, just before the Clapper/Loader says Slate 2, Take 2 she throws in the word "Awesome" for no apparent reason. - Eek... Americans!! - Anyone saying "Awesome", "Cool" or "Dude" on my set, would be forced to sit in a corner in a Dunce's hat. :)

[@David-mg1yj]

+RocketJump Film School I stand corrected. I guess we do things slightly differently this side of the pond.