Okay, so I'm very new at making movies on a "movie set" like environment. I couldn't find any info with the search feature on this, but I direct my own films but I've never done it with an actual crew of people. I was just wondering what some of the different processes were on the set. For instance, slating, what is the procedure exactly? I know it's something along the lines of the director saying roll camera. The slater then says the scene and take and then puts the slate in front of the camera and snaps it and says "mark"? Why does he say "mark". I was watching this short video on slating and the guy mentioned the different people saying "speed" or something to show they are ready. Like I said, I've never been around any of this stuff. I'd love if I can just get some tips on how to run my sets smoothly with people that have never done it before. Any and ALL information or links that you can provide me will be VERY helpful. Thanks!
Process of slating...(not sure where else to post this)
- Thread starter MechSpike
- Start date
Hunter Hampton
Carbonite Member
There is a preferred method to this stuff, but different crews sometimes say different things, the lingo isnt that important, but what is importnt is that the crew knows whats going on and that they can communicate.
Lets say your on scene 6 of your film, on the first take of the scene and your shooting from camera "A". (or camera "a" pov)
Your slate might look like this:
Scene 6 | Take 1A
The crew gets ready,
Someone might say "Sound?", sound might reply with "speed", to let you know they are recording.
The one holding the slate might call out, "Scene 6, Take 1 Aplha" - or something like that (he might say "alpha" instead of "A" so that it will be easier to understand the audio)
Someone might say, "Camera?"
The camera op says "camera's at speed" to let you know he is rolling and ready.
The slate enters camera frame, and he might say "marker"
The camera op or AC might say "mark it" to let the person know who is holding the slate that he got a good frame of the marker.
"slap!" goes the marker , This is for the syncing of sound. The editor can match the visual "slap" of when the top arm and the base meet with the sound of the "slap". (This step may not take place during the filming of a shot without sound or "MOS")
The camera dept would then get fully ready to shoot, once they are set, the camera op might say "camera set!"
Then the director knows that everything is going and ready, the director can then call action.
This is how we do it anyways...any one do it differently?
Lets say your on scene 6 of your film, on the first take of the scene and your shooting from camera "A". (or camera "a" pov)
Your slate might look like this:
Scene 6 | Take 1A
The crew gets ready,
Someone might say "Sound?", sound might reply with "speed", to let you know they are recording.
The one holding the slate might call out, "Scene 6, Take 1 Aplha" - or something like that (he might say "alpha" instead of "A" so that it will be easier to understand the audio)
Someone might say, "Camera?"
The camera op says "camera's at speed" to let you know he is rolling and ready.
The slate enters camera frame, and he might say "marker"
The camera op or AC might say "mark it" to let the person know who is holding the slate that he got a good frame of the marker.
"slap!" goes the marker , This is for the syncing of sound. The editor can match the visual "slap" of when the top arm and the base meet with the sound of the "slap". (This step may not take place during the filming of a shot without sound or "MOS")
The camera dept would then get fully ready to shoot, once they are set, the camera op might say "camera set!"
Then the director knows that everything is going and ready, the director can then call action.
This is how we do it anyways...any one do it differently?
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Excellent, ok so the statement "mark" is just basically the "hey am I in frame properly?". I'm trying to learn all the lingo as well. AC is...? I know DP dir. of photography and PA is production assistant. I thought the 1A means like scene one take 1 (or A, B, C...) So the letter is for the camera? What if you are only shooting with a single camera? I would love to see some tutorial videos on the etiquette on a movie set. I haven't been able to find much information on it.
mikkowilson
Steadi-Guru
Often the slate is already in the shot, simply inserted into the otherwise ready final frame, when sound is rolled.
If shooting film, you don't want to waste any time trying to get the slate in frame. Same goes for P2 or other valuable media. So you have it well in the frame & focused before you roll.
One process that I've used goes something like this:
(Slate in the frame, held open by 2nd AC)
Director: "Picture's up! Quiet Please! ... Roll Sound!"
As applicable: a single blast of the studio bell, A/C is shut off, red "shooting"/"on-air" lights are turned on.
Sound: "Rolling!"
Other crew as necessary to ensure all on set hear: "ROLLING!"
2nd AC or Sound: "Roll 5, Scene 32A, Take 1" (reads slate)
Sound: "Sound speed!"
Director: "Roll camera!"
Camera: "Speed!"
2nd AC: "Marker!"
*SNAP!* (2nd AC Snaps the slate)
2nd AC pulls the slate from frame right after the snap. (The editor only needs the first frame with the slate closed.)
1st AC corrects focus if necessary.
Camera: "Frame!"
Director: "Action!"
(the take)
Director: "Cut!" (Repeated as necessary by others)
Two short blasts of the studio bell, A/C powered on, red "shooting" lights switched off.
With multiple cameras, the middle bit goes something like this:
(Each camera's 2nd AC has their respective [marked] slates held in frame)
Director: "Roll camera!"
Camera A: "A speed!"
Camera B: "B speed!"
A 2nd AC: "A marker!"
*SNAP!* (2nd AC Snaps the slate)
A camera's 2nd AC pulls the slate from frame right after the snap.
A camera's 1nd AC corrects focus if necessary.
B 2nd AC: "B marker!"
*SNAP!* (2nd AC Snaps the slate)
B camera's 2nd AC pulls the slate from frame right after the snap.
B camera's 1nd AC corrects focus if necessary.
Camera A: "A frame!"
Camera B: "B frame!"
Director: "Action!"
...or something like that.
The call of "Marker" is to ID the *snap* sound on the sound track. There could be other similar sounds, a person clapping, kicking a light stand, etc.. And with multiple cameras, the "A Marker" "B Marker" etc, clearly identify which *snap* is for which camera. Once both cameras are synced to the common audio track, they are also synced to each other.
They key is that all commands and responses are loud and clear enough for all to hear & understand. Especially the initial "Rolling!" is normally pretty much yelled. You want to make sure anyone that can make noise that could get to set, also hears the noise from set that it's go time.
- Mikko
If shooting film, you don't want to waste any time trying to get the slate in frame. Same goes for P2 or other valuable media. So you have it well in the frame & focused before you roll.
One process that I've used goes something like this:
(Slate in the frame, held open by 2nd AC)
Director: "Picture's up! Quiet Please! ... Roll Sound!"
As applicable: a single blast of the studio bell, A/C is shut off, red "shooting"/"on-air" lights are turned on.
Sound: "Rolling!"
Other crew as necessary to ensure all on set hear: "ROLLING!"
2nd AC or Sound: "Roll 5, Scene 32A, Take 1" (reads slate)
Sound: "Sound speed!"
Director: "Roll camera!"
Camera: "Speed!"
2nd AC: "Marker!"
*SNAP!* (2nd AC Snaps the slate)
2nd AC pulls the slate from frame right after the snap. (The editor only needs the first frame with the slate closed.)
1st AC corrects focus if necessary.
Camera: "Frame!"
Director: "Action!"
(the take)
Director: "Cut!" (Repeated as necessary by others)
Two short blasts of the studio bell, A/C powered on, red "shooting" lights switched off.
With multiple cameras, the middle bit goes something like this:
(Each camera's 2nd AC has their respective [marked] slates held in frame)
Director: "Roll camera!"
Camera A: "A speed!"
Camera B: "B speed!"
A 2nd AC: "A marker!"
*SNAP!* (2nd AC Snaps the slate)
A camera's 2nd AC pulls the slate from frame right after the snap.
A camera's 1nd AC corrects focus if necessary.
B 2nd AC: "B marker!"
*SNAP!* (2nd AC Snaps the slate)
B camera's 2nd AC pulls the slate from frame right after the snap.
B camera's 1nd AC corrects focus if necessary.
Camera A: "A frame!"
Camera B: "B frame!"
Director: "Action!"
...or something like that.
The call of "Marker" is to ID the *snap* sound on the sound track. There could be other similar sounds, a person clapping, kicking a light stand, etc.. And with multiple cameras, the "A Marker" "B Marker" etc, clearly identify which *snap* is for which camera. Once both cameras are synced to the common audio track, they are also synced to each other.
They key is that all commands and responses are loud and clear enough for all to hear & understand. Especially the initial "Rolling!" is normally pretty much yelled. You want to make sure anyone that can make noise that could get to set, also hears the noise from set that it's go time.
- Mikko
As Hunter said, the sound will usually roll first and call "sound speed" or "speed". [EDIT] After reading Mikko's post, I realized that I left something out for the sound department. The production mixer will often have an open mic at his mixing position. He will often, in a quiet voice, announce his tape number, scene and take. Again, this isn't usually at high volume - just audible notes onto his recording for editors. [EDIT].
As the camera starts rolling, the camera operator will call "camera rolling", "rolling!" and "speed". PAs will often be heard around the set repeating the "rolling" or "rolling-rolling" warning to keep extras and other people standing by off-set quiet during the roll.
Calling "speed" is applicable on tape-based shooting as you want a bit of pre-roll prior to slating. With solid-state recording, like P2 or RED or EX1, it is a good idea to pre-roll for a few seconds to give your editor better handles on each end of the take.
The operator will often ask the 2nd AC to "mark it".
As he said, it is the 2nd AC who will call "scene 16, take 2... marker!"
For the slating itself, it can be "mark" or "marker", then the slate is clapped.
With two or more cameras, "A" and "B" can be marked with "A-B common sticks, scene 16, take 2... marker!"
Separately, you would mark camera A first, then B - taking extra care to use the A slate to obscure view of the B slate from camera A to eliminate any confusion for the editors.
The camera operator then finalizes his opening frame and calls "set!" or "camera, set!". Then the director calls "action".
The director is always the one who calls "cut".
[EDIT] Just read Mikko's note on including roll number as the 2nd AC announces the scene and take. This is not typical in American production, but is standard in European production. [EDIT]
e
As the camera starts rolling, the camera operator will call "camera rolling", "rolling!" and "speed". PAs will often be heard around the set repeating the "rolling" or "rolling-rolling" warning to keep extras and other people standing by off-set quiet during the roll.
Calling "speed" is applicable on tape-based shooting as you want a bit of pre-roll prior to slating. With solid-state recording, like P2 or RED or EX1, it is a good idea to pre-roll for a few seconds to give your editor better handles on each end of the take.
The operator will often ask the 2nd AC to "mark it".
As he said, it is the 2nd AC who will call "scene 16, take 2... marker!"
For the slating itself, it can be "mark" or "marker", then the slate is clapped.
With two or more cameras, "A" and "B" can be marked with "A-B common sticks, scene 16, take 2... marker!"
Separately, you would mark camera A first, then B - taking extra care to use the A slate to obscure view of the B slate from camera A to eliminate any confusion for the editors.
The camera operator then finalizes his opening frame and calls "set!" or "camera, set!". Then the director calls "action".
The director is always the one who calls "cut".
[EDIT] Just read Mikko's note on including roll number as the 2nd AC announces the scene and take. This is not typical in American production, but is standard in European production. [EDIT]
e
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Okay, great, but a couple questions still...once again what is AC? Assistant camera? Also, why are there so many calls by the pple? For instance, why does sound say ROLLING! then again he said SPEED! If he is already rolling then wouldnt all the shouting get on the sound? And when the 2nd AC says "Marker" what does that mean? Why is he saying "Marker" I'm assuming it's just a notification that he is in position, and then the camera operator says "Mark it" meaning he is in frame and set? Also, you're saying that everyone repeats "ROLLING!" after the sound man says it???
mikkowilson
Steadi-Guru
I've heard the roll number called in the US with slate too - normally when sound is reading the whole slate during speed-up before "speed". I don't think I've heard the AC/2nd AC call out the roll number before though.
Often the roll number is only called on the first take of a roll.
Of course good book-keeping is necesarry to keep multiple rolls of film & audio all lined up so they can be paired correctly on a per-take basis when they get to post.
And if unsure, reading/writing a little more information onto the slate is generally a better idea than not.
- Mikko
Often the roll number is only called on the first take of a roll.
Of course good book-keeping is necesarry to keep multiple rolls of film & audio all lined up so they can be paired correctly on a per-take basis when they get to post.
And if unsure, reading/writing a little more information onto the slate is generally a better idea than not.
- Mikko
Wow ok, I'm really sorry I'm becoming more and more confused. What is the "roll number" Roll of film? And I just don't get why pple say those specific things. For instance, after the sound guy says "rolling!" does he start recording? If so, why does he have to say "sound speed!" a few moments later??
mikkowilson
Steadi-Guru
"Roll Sound!" and "Roll Camera" are commands. They tell crew to do something, but they are no indication that anything has been done.
"Rolling!" is a general information call that something is now rolling and it's time to record.
"Sound Speed" "Camera Speed" "Speed" are a confirmations from each respective department that they are in fact rolling, and that their gear is up to a stable speed. Anything that records to Film or Tape, always takes a moment to "spin up" to a stable speed for reliable recording. Hence the call of "Speed!" to confirm that everything is running properly.
Without these confirmations, you are operating purley on assumption - and that's a bad way to operate. You want, need, those confirmations.
Yes, with sound rolling early, you will capture all sorts of background sound before the take. And therefore: "Marker" is an audible cue for the editor that means "Ok, the next sound you'll hear is the slate you want"
- Mikko
"Rolling!" is a general information call that something is now rolling and it's time to record.
"Sound Speed" "Camera Speed" "Speed" are a confirmations from each respective department that they are in fact rolling, and that their gear is up to a stable speed. Anything that records to Film or Tape, always takes a moment to "spin up" to a stable speed for reliable recording. Hence the call of "Speed!" to confirm that everything is running properly.
Without these confirmations, you are operating purley on assumption - and that's a bad way to operate. You want, need, those confirmations.
Yes, with sound rolling early, you will capture all sorts of background sound before the take. And therefore: "Marker" is an audible cue for the editor that means "Ok, the next sound you'll hear is the slate you want"
- Mikko
AC is Assistant Camera - First AC is the focus puller (and much more), the 2nd AC is the clapper-loader (and much more).
Calling "rolling" and "speed" tells everyone on the set that the sound and camera departments are ready to go. The director takes his timing cue from these two departments.
Until the director calls "action", there will be extraneous sound and visual clutter in the scene. By the time action has been called, everyone should be settled and ready to execute the shot.
"Marker" is called right before the slate is closed. The 2nd AC is literally marking the take on both sound and film.
The additional, usually loud, calls of "rolling" are for those not in the immediate shooting area.
e
Oooooooohhhhh Ok thank you! That is much easier to understand. Alright, still a couple things.
1. AC means assistant camera right?
2. When they say "rolling" that just means they are "ready to record"? What if you are shooting on DV do you still say the same stuff. Wouldn't everything change if you are shooting DV since nothing would be getting up to "speed" and you wouldn't have to "roll" anything?
3. What does "mark it!" mean after "marker!" is said?
EDIT: Okay thanks that is much better. Alright then where does the "Mark it!
come into play? Does it go before or after the slate is closed? Also once again shooting on DV what is the procedure if there is nothing to "roll" or is it all the same terminology?
1. AC means assistant camera right?
2. When they say "rolling" that just means they are "ready to record"? What if you are shooting on DV do you still say the same stuff. Wouldn't everything change if you are shooting DV since nothing would be getting up to "speed" and you wouldn't have to "roll" anything?
3. What does "mark it!" mean after "marker!" is said?
EDIT: Okay thanks that is much better. Alright then where does the "Mark it!
come into play? Does it go before or after the slate is closed? Also once again shooting on DV what is the procedure if there is nothing to "roll" or is it all the same terminology?
- Yes.
- DV absolutely would need pre-roll. Solid-state (RED, HVX, HPX, EX1), not so much, but very good, industry-standard habits die hard.
- The "mark it" cue is an instruction from the camera operator to the 2nd AC. He is saying, "I'm ready for you to slate the shot". Then, the 2nd positions the slate (at a distance that is legible and doesn't force the operator to make a gross reframing of his shot), reads the "scene number, take and "marker". The sticks are then closed.
Awesome, I understand now. Alright some of the lingo you are throwing around is still a little confusing. Solid-state? Cameras? I know it would need a pre-roll sorry I just meant since there is not film physically rolling I figured maybe it's different. Also what is the best way to record sound when using DV? External recorders? What kind? Or straight on to the camera?
Larry Rutledge
Fest Master
Erik Olson said:
I recently DP'd a shoot on the HVX. Even though you don't have to wait for tape heads to "get to speed", we still utilized the terms to let the director know when I was ready (especially if not on a tripod). He'd call roll camera, I'd hit record, then get my hands positioned back on the camera where I preferred them, then wait a second or two for my body and breathing to stabilize, then yelled back "speed". Then he knew that when he called Action I was capturing everything.
mikkowilson
Steadi-Guru
DV, or any tape based format, still takes time to spin up and "lock in". Not very long, but still a moment.
And though solid state (systems that record to memory cards like P2, without moving parts) media doesn't take time to "spin up" and "lock in" the various encoders built into the cameras on the other hand do often do take a moment to "lock in" to the signal. Long GOP system's (Like HDV & AVC-HD) encoders can take a while to get up to speed too.
So the pause between actually hitting "record" (on the director's "roll" command) to calling out "speed" is still necessary. Generally once [rec-run] time code is running on a DV system, then you are up to speed.
That on the other hand is a totally differnet question. I'd recomend reading around and then asking in the Audio area of the forum.
- Mikko
And though solid state (systems that record to memory cards like P2, without moving parts) media doesn't take time to "spin up" and "lock in" the various encoders built into the cameras on the other hand do often do take a moment to "lock in" to the signal. Long GOP system's (Like HDV & AVC-HD) encoders can take a while to get up to speed too.
So the pause between actually hitting "record" (on the director's "roll" command) to calling out "speed" is still necessary. Generally once [rec-run] time code is running on a DV system, then you are up to speed.
That on the other hand is a totally differnet question. I'd recomend reading around and then asking in the Audio area of the forum.
- Mikko
Hunter Hampton
Carbonite Member
You can build one if your handy with wood or go to:
filmtools.com
Go with a more sturdy one if you can afford to. They start at about $60 but they can get as high as $1500 or so. The pricey ones include kodak colors, a grey scale chart, and even time code inputs. Most people dont need all of that stuff though.
I just gaff taped a portabrace white card on the back of my slate so I always have a white balance at hand (and a person to hold it)
filmtools.com
Go with a more sturdy one if you can afford to. They start at about $60 but they can get as high as $1500 or so. The pricey ones include kodak colors, a grey scale chart, and even time code inputs. Most people dont need all of that stuff though.
I just gaff taped a portabrace white card on the back of my slate so I always have a white balance at hand (and a person to hold it)
This one is pretty standard: http://www.filmtools.com/donclasensla.html and we just started selling this one: http://www.expeditionfilmpartners.com/products/p429.html
e
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vertigoanton
Active member
In my experience, it is the 1st AD who calls it - "picture's up", "roll sound", "roll camera". Then after it was slated, the Director calls "action". I've even seen it where the AD calls "action" and "cut" (after checking with the Director, of course).
I'm sure people do it differently, but consistency is good especially when you crew with folks you have never worked with before.
Oh, and sometimes, the camera will need to be refocused or reframed after the shot is slated. The DP or operator will then say "frame" or "camera set" when he or she is ready.
I'm sure people do it differently, but consistency is good especially when you crew with folks you have never worked with before.
Oh, and sometimes, the camera will need to be refocused or reframed after the shot is slated. The DP or operator will then say "frame" or "camera set" when he or she is ready.