The Clapperboard - How to Use a Film Slate (And Why You Should)

[@StudioBinder]

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

[@ryzzamanongsong3905]

i wish i could download your vids😅

[@Alfa210A]

Please name the bgm used in this video

[@doctorpanigrahi9975]

This video gave me priapism

[@allwaizeright9705]

You missed describing MOS by having fingers between the Clapper and the Slate...

[@aFandøOfLandø]

@@allwaizeright9705no they didn’t, see timestamp 9:28

[@RPSTUDIOSNZ]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

Consider this your extra credit production class ;)

[@bfyre1]

Those schools are a waste of time

[@WestonChilders]

Haha, most likely because majority of them never used a slate. Sadly, most teachers are career teachers, not career professional who became teachers.

[@Novastar.SaberCombat]

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.

[@danejurus69]

Film school. Lol. 3 years! Sucker...

[@pxnk_n_disorderly]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

That's the goal!

[@Mssmilelovejoy]

Just remember studiobinder doesn't get everything right. Use it as a guideline not a rulebook.

[@OptimusPhillip]

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]

Wow, I never knew that. Thanks! 👍

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

@@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]

@@SmallSpoonBrigade Dude, that is so cool. I really enjoyed reading this. I’m always reading and learning about stuff. Thank you. 👍

[@SmallSpoonBrigade]

@@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.

[@lk2055]

I was always wondering why actors seems to keep chatting after the clapper has gone off. Thanks

[@sonny5068]

I always wondered about Clapperboards! Thank you for making this video! Always so useful as always!

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@sourceeee]

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

[@VitalisProd]

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,

[@DyenamicFilms]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

Good insight!

[@smann7236]

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?

[@DyenamicFilms]

@@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.

[@smann7236]

@@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..

[@itoibo4208]

@@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?

[@hornet718]

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!!!

[@StudioBinder]

Appreciate the feedback!

[@NJBmedia]

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!!

[@StudioBinder]

It's a necessity!

[@NabilTouchie]

Interesting, whats a 100 Slate?

[@enzoisthegreatest]

@@NabilTouchieevery time the slate count gets to the number 100 or a multiple of! Known as a ‘century’ board

[@user-xv4he4mt4x]

how can one as a slate loader for 8 years and still doing it?😢

[@NJBmedia]

@@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...

[@bobnm89360]

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!

[@Manish_3333]

As a bullshit detector, I can say that you are bluffing about your career.

[@prasanthiM427]

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 🙏🙏🙏

[@StudioBinder]

Good luck!

[@RyanUybengkee]

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.

[@CNC-Time-Lapse]

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!

[@madzebrapictures]

As he was explaining each thing I kept thinking, holy crap this is so useful

[@StudioBinder]

We hope so :)

[@leokimvideo]

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.

[@MindaDiaz]

That's why this deserve a lot of views. I don't even know what it's called until i came across this channel. Great explanation after hearing this in my 43 years of existence. Better late than never. Well done.

[@christinacooperfilm]

Well this was awesome. I didn't realize there was so much detail and protocol. Thank you for this!

[@StudioBinder]

Hope it helps!

[@ashleylodewyk7454]

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!

[@StudioBinder]

Class in session!

[@adriennecode]

Thank you for including Slates for Sarah Jones clapperboards at 3:25 and 6:05

[@StudioBinder]

Of course :)

[@christopherleubner6633]

I never knew all the details on how this was used. Very enlightening.

[@kyles5513]

I've always wanted to know this since I was a kid and finally 35 years old a you tube video shows me. Thanks.

[@GorilieVR]

This is the most concise video on film slating I've seen 😊 slates have saved my butt many times 😅

[@StudioBinder]

Glad it helped!

[@Schoolforthesoul]

Best explanation on slates I've ever heard!

[@morrisnduati6980]

A lot more complex than I thought. Good breakdown.

[@ww_4776]

I could have lived without this knowledge, but I'm glad that I know it now. TQ❤

[@mainbeach]

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!

[@proberts34]

Wow! There's a lot more to a slate than I realized. Thanks for posting this.

[@Black_Jesus3005]

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

[@jerrysolo5366]

Learning everyday something from this channel

[@StudioBinder]

👍👍

[@nealbrown4856]

wow! so much info I never knew I wanted and probably wouldn't have gotten anywhere else. thanks so much, guys

[@StudioBinder]

Hope it helps!

[@pn4960]

It’s a good day when studio binder uploads a new video ^^

[@StudioBinder]

Every Monday is a good day ;)

[@mr_mist7891]

Good job in showing a variety of bts's using clappers to drive the point of how important they are for any production home

[@thhrjdh5564]

Who knew something so simple could be so complicated

[@StudioBinder]

Just need to be thorough :)

[@AaronHahnStudios]

Our KZbin channel has "CLAPPA" as a channel Icon for this very reason. It's funny listening to people try to educate me on what I knew before they were born.

[@CaptainBearPants]

That’s so amazing! I never knew. Now I need to order one for my short films 😊

[@StudioBinder]

Good luck!

[@Hitchfred_Alcock]

I smiled troughout the whole video. I love clapperboards. Thanks for the video! Great as always

[@StudioBinder]

Can't do without them!

[@jp3813]

10:00 Now I know why the clapperboard was held upside down in Johnny Cage's story section in MK1.

[@ToddTravis-l5f]

This is one of the best channels. Thanks for the indepth insight

[@StudioBinder]

Happy to help :)

[@pingpongking3816]

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...

[@johnnhoj6749]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

Definitely should!

[@Bigbuddyandblue]

I’ve always been amazed how they keep track of the scenes in a movie, especially when they don’t film in chronological order

[@bob456fk6]

Very interesting! I've often wondered about these details. Thanks.

[@iradukundafabrice3334]

Thank you StudioBinder for the great work! Now I know how important the slate is.

[@jayb8934]

Behind the scenes info always fascinates me. It reminds me that even the very worst films and shows I've ever seen have a LOT of time, work, and talent put into them.

[@RicardoDelfin]

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

[@lemmingrad]

Just the kind of video I needed to watch, after playing the video game Immortality that definitely features clapperboards.

[@sealake7935]

Nice! This video is definitely going into the playlist!

[@steve_santiago]

This video answered so many of my questions about slates!

[@NirajYadav-ct9hk]

Highly Highly Informative Content 🙏🙏🙏❤️ thanks alot

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@aheikal1715]

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. 😂😍

[@bernardthomas6232]

Seems pretty clear; it's like a receipt for each take...

[@MrFetalposition]

Wow, that was great! So informative, sir! Subscribed!

[@thee_interest9641]

Always wondered what they were for. Thank you for this.

[@StudioBinder]

Enjoy :)

[@j.zuberi]

Learned so much here, thanks for sharing this knowledge.

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@Mssmilelovejoy]

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.

[@StudioBinder]

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!

[@cleitonfelipe2092]

This is fantastic, and much more deep than what I thought it was

[@Dustinmrr.mp4]

thats the kind of video i would like to see more of

[@SomeTomfoolery]

I've never wondered this before, but now I need to know

[@terumikami4]

i've learned something today, today is a good day. :3

[@synthwave7]

Wow- saw this often and never knew. Quite complex.

[@briannakadlecik4304]

This was very interesting and informative.

[@Blarnix]

I’m 1:30 in and you easily earned my subscription.

[@supercalifragilisticex]

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.

[@peggycarlyle6409]

That was so interesting! I had no idea! Thanks for sharing. ❤️

[@StudioBinder]

happy to help!

[@midnighttornado22]

Whoah. Had no idea there was such a detailed process and purposes to it. Crazy.

[@wikkifoo640]

Amazing video as always

[@ahmadomedvisuals8205]

Finally I really got it,thank you guys❤❤❤

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@taybeats997mw]

I miss that cool Deep voice from that Old Guy.😢 Great Video @Studiobinder

[@StudioBinder]

Thanks for watching!

[@sathyanarayan1929]

You're the real God for youth like me who are interested in film making industry ❤

[@mogerus]

I never knew how significant the clapper was to the point that all it's code and terminologies need to be studied beforehand.

[@HayK47]

4:35 greatest movie and director ever!!!

[@cgrychefilms]

Great stuff as always!

[@insaugram]

YOU ARE COMING BACK

[@StudioBinder]

Making a comeback every Monday!

[@djdigital3806]

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!

[@BlueBeardedDevil]

didnt know any of this, thanks!

[@RM_VFX]

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...😂

[@toptrends88]

Thank you so much for this. Awesome video.

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@MwayiComfort]

One way to make my week❤

[@StudioBinder]

Have a good week!

[@AllinOneMediA-xl5bi]

Very informative ❤️‍🔥

[@12DAMDO]

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..

[@MrUranium238]

And now I know more than I did yesterday.

[@thecreativesharmaji]

I think it’s used to sync the sound as you can line up the audio track with the clap

[@aliensoup2420]

Thats just a ridiculous conspiracy theory.

[@StudioBinder]

Agreed

[@dps6198]

Because audio and video are recorded separately. When editing the audio is matched to the video with the clapping sound and the video of the clapper.

[@Goldman623]

Always wondered thanks

[@istrumguitars]

Went through my entire undergrad in media production and never even saw a single student AD use this. Insane.

[@Searchingtheworld7183]

Clappboards are just insane.

[@hogg1media627]

I lOVE THIS CHANNEL!!!!!

[@xyz8888]

this is so fascinating

[@StudioBinder]

🧐

[@Voodoomaria]

Doesn't take a genius to figure it out once you know sound and visuals are recorded on two separate media simultaneously. The sound of the clap board closing on the audio tape, coupled with the visual of the board closing on the film give a precise, to the frame landmark for the film editors to synch the sound tape and the movie film. Learned that in my mid teens.

[@angelinacamacho8575]

While helping out on a B movie called "anniversary" we had to use the slate several times because our sound guy was having trouble picking up the slap sound. Btw for anyone planning to work in the film industry the sound booth is the best place to be near or in while filming is happening since nothing has a mic rigged on to it there.

[@EliasVisualProductions]

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... 😂

[@StudioBinder]

😂😂

[@Osmone_Everony]

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.

[@f2p-setto508]

I’m not even into film-making but I’m still clicked on it.

[@EDC98]

When I was in college, I went on a student set that needed another pair of arms and they forgot the clap board. They got everything else, but forgot that. Not the most essential item to bring but it's pretty damn important if you ask me. I stepped up and downloaded a clapboard app on my phone that did the job I guess (I ended up running slate that day) but for those first couple of takes it was pretty awkward 😐

[@Pallialbertti]

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...

[@StudioBinder]

haha in application it's not that complex!

[@KazzyJr]

Short answer: clip video-audio sync in post-production plus scene identification.

[@nithishactor9764]

Big fan of your work from india🇮🇳 brother💖....

[@StudioBinder]

Cheers!

[@TheFPSChannel]

Great breakdown! But I was a little bit surprised that you didn’t explain what MOS meant . It’s kind of a cool bit of trivia.

[@KatherinaBathory]

And what does it mean? 🥺

[@mrshadow2514]

@@KatherinaBathory In the old days, when a shot was planned that did not require sound, the sound mixer would ask the recordist to "roll the motor only". The recordist would start the camera motor without starting the matching "sound" motor and electronics. The procedure, allegedly, acquired the name "motor only shot", which became the basis of the acronym MOS

[@johnnhoj6749]

@@mrshadow2514 The common story is that originally a German director (of which there were quite a few in Hollywood) asked for a shot "Mit Out Sound". MOS went onto the slate and stayed there ever since. This may or may not be true, but after decades in the film business and with a keen interest in its history, today is the first time I have ever heard the "motor only shot" story.

[@StudioBinder]

To make up for it, here's our article fully breaking down the term www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-does-mos-mean-in-film/

[@TheFPSChannel]

@@johnnhoj6749 that’s what was taught to me in film school. German’s were the hot sound guys in the early days and for decades afterward. (Swiss NAGRA recorders were the sync recording devices of choice for decades) Without sound = Mit Out Sound or MOS. This is a hybridization of E/G which is not uncommon in mixed communities worldwide. Canadians frequently refer to their New Brunswick E/F community languages as Fr-eng-lais. For example: Je parkais le car. So it’s not too crazy to assume MOS would survive as official terminology.

[@bollywoodfightactionreacti9189]

Superb knowledge 🙂

[@StudioBinder]

Film knowledge!

[@freyafoxmusic]

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