Clapboard Slate Help

[John Rivers]

Hello,

I've been trying to figure out for a while now (with no luck) what the number and letter combination under "Scene" means (and occasionally under "Roll"). For example, I've seen a clapboard used in a shot which is lists:

ROLL - A7/B1
(and)
SCENE - 16_FA

Another example (taken from an editing tutorial I use) has named the captured clips like:

A19-29A_1
A19-29A_2
etc.

I'm trying to figure this out because I want to name my clips in such a way that I don't have to resort to overly long descriptions in the clip name (I'd rather save that for the appropriately named field "Descriptions"). What do these naming conventions mean?

 

[Cryogenic Filmworks]

The Roll Letters would be Camera A, Camera B etc on multi shoots. The Roll Number of course is which roll of film or tape it is, starting from 1 usually.

The Scene Numbers are taken from your shooting script. These are the scene numbers you are shooting. The Scene letter would be the variation shot of that scene, such as Scene 16 would be a master shot of scene 16, whereas 16a would perhaps be an over the shoulder or closeup of one of the characters in that same scene.

Your last example is probably including the take number also.

A19-29A_2
A(camera) 19(tape used) -29(scene) A(perhaps an OTS or CU) _2(take 2)

 

[John Rivers]

Hmm, ok, I see how that works.

I don't understand how that last "A" is easier and more understandable than just putting "OTS" or "CU", heheh.

Thanks a ton.

 

[Cryogenic Filmworks]

Hmm, ok, I see how that works.

I don't understand how that last "A" is easier and more understandable than just putting "OTS" or "CU", heheh.

Thanks a ton.

Those details would be in the script supervisors notes generally I believe, although you could enter that on the slate yourself. However, when you are editing it should be apparent what the shot was.

 

[novelt]

"a" - because say you're shooting two actors on a sofa talking. the first shot could be your master scene 16 take 1. then you shoot actor 1 over actor 2's shoulder - Scene 16a take 1. then you shoot actor 2 over actor 1's shoulder - scene 16b take 1. then any variation after that c,d,e,f and so on. the shot being taken i.e CU is in the script supervisor's notes and not needed for the slate or your file name. (well you can if you want to )