Construct your own Video Slate

I haven't done it officially but a piece of Lucite at a sign store with this jpg cut out of sticker would work well too.
 
Step 1: go to Officemax and buy a 8x11" whiteboard and a single whiteboard marker.

Step 2: Separate into 3 columns (scene/shot/take), and label them if you want to.

BAM! Complete!

You don't need "production" "director" or other nonsense unless you're on a studio lot and you're sending your dailies to be processed along with other projects.
 
Bh has one for $9.

I'm just wondering if there are DIY versions out there...
 
JOplinger said:
Slate...$45
Dignity on set....priceless
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Sorry, I'm not in the habit of buying my dignity. In fact, on my last film, my AD brought a standard, professional slate (which he paid less than $10 for, by the way), but I chose to use a whiteboard instead.

No one even gasped! Why? Because we're professional, too.
 
My mom bought me this flimsy cardboard slate that was probably about $10. I took a dry erase board that I had no use for and cut and pasted it over the board and use it. The clapper works fine and the dry erase is solid.
 
Insert slates - which those are - fundamentally are the same whether it be DIY or Pro. I go with pro boards because they have the durability.

Film slates I would never DIY. I've seen strange boards before. For a dual system - you need a pro board. But holding out a little cardboard cutout would be awkward especially if you have a full crew shooting on a huge budget. People will question why they are there. Sure there are DIY ways to get things done. But people do judge you.

But for a video slate for the average indie film maker - do it. On a large set - buy one.
 
MattinSTL said:
Every single person on set will be looking directly at that thing each time you clap it...
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For one, I don't slate takes, I'm a director, and two, I guess I'm not as insecure as the rest of you.

I'm a professional, I pay my crew. I don't need an expensive piece of plastic that doesn't do any good. And my crew respects me because I respect them and because we do good work. If you need fancy props to earn respect, you're not long for this business.

I mean, DP's use blackened tinfoil attached with what is essentially duct tape in order to sculpt light. A film set tends to look like my mother's attic exploded in a warehouse, and you're saying that a small clean whiteboard will look out of place?

If you're syncing cameras or sound, or if your film is being processed by a studio lab, you'll want some of the features that a professional, electronic slate provides, but if we're just talking about a piece of plastic with a hinge that costs $45?

Sheesh... save the money and buy a big bowl of candy for your crew. That will get you more respect!


I go with pro boards because they have the durability.
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I totally get that a flimsy piece of cardboard just won't do, but a simple 8x11" whiteboard will last decades of abuse, and are certainly as durable in practice as a "pro board."
 
I don't use electronic slates. Mostly because we can't jam with the film cameras I use normally.

I have a 50 dollar slate. Trust me - I've been on SAG ultralows where we had a RED, SAG actors, and a semi-pro crew with a few working professionals on set. The slate was a piece of cardboard. Yeah - it did it's job. But when we walked on and saw it - we began to think - wow, this guy is really cutting corners here. Especially after we noticed there was no gaff tape for the production.

And good, you are a director. So what? I am as well. But I work as a first AD, DoP, script super, or as an AC from time to time. When I direct I most certainly make sure there is a slate in there. Because if there isn't your editor will have a hell of a time trying to make the film work.

To each his own, but when you have professionals on set that actually work on larger productions normally, they will equate underspending to them getting stuck on the backend as they get paid.
 
Mattykins said:
Because if there isn't your editor will have a hell of a time trying to make the film work.
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That's a fair point. Slates are for the benefit of the editor, and in the end, you have to make them happy, but I still fail to see why a nice, professional-looking whiteboard (where the take numbers can actually be written larger) is not exactly as good (or better in my experience).

Especially after we noticed there was no gaff tape for the production.
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Yeah, please don't throw me in with that idiot. You need frickin' gaff tape, multiple colors/widths, too, if you can. A roll of masking tape won't cut it.

they will equate underspending to them getting stuck on the backend as they get paid.
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For one, the example I cited earlier on my own film, I chose to use a whiteboard instead of a "pro slate" which my AD had, and for two, you're making multiple arguments here. One, that not having a slate is a sign of being cheap, cutting corners, and two, that a slate is all about image, regardless of it's function.

Hell, we can all afford a slate, so which is it? Do I need a "real" slate because it's worth the money (I'd like to see anyone make that argument stick), or... just because it's window dressing?

And you're still presuming that anyone on the set cares about the stupid slate; that even if the pay is nice, your set is amazing, and the food is good, that they'll look back and say "that slate was crap, I'll never work with that hack again." It's ludicrous on its face.

But... even if I conceded your point, for sake of argument, unless my production consisted of nothing but first impressions (and then I'd have bigger problems), I'd have plenty of opportunities to re-build my tattered reputation throughout the course of the production. Hell, I could even, at lunch, literally explain to anyone who was interested why I don't use a "real" slate. It would be an interesting discussion, actually, and it would take less than 2 minutes. This is simply a non-issue.
 
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Just for the record, I always use a pro slate. Always. It's good for set morale, and it makes a good client impression. I use the B&S model with the wood/white stripes and I love it. Bought it in 2000.

I was simply asking if anyone had made any DIY slates so I can have my students make some for themselves to save $$$ if they wish.

It seems like no one has made their own clapper DIY slates. At this point, I'm tempted to see what I can cook up myself that can pass as pro...
 
Like I said - to each his own.

I just would never use a piece of cardboard on my show. And those shows that did - people questioned. It was a running joke on the last show I was on that had a cardboard slate.

I walked on as script super along with two ACs that work steadily in the industry. Everyone else was students or people that enjoy making films and have some knowledge. Our grip was also a pro. And when we saw corners cut. We all laughed about it.

I would never show up to a clients shoot with a piece of cardboard to slate. It makes them question why they hired you in the first place. When it looks as if you pulled things together and charged a huge sum of money - the client thinks - maybe I could have hired my son to do this...

Use your piece of cardboard. I am saying in the pro world, that doesn't cut it. In indie films - go for it. (And yes, indies pay people sometimes too)
 
Use your piece of cardboard.
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Sheesh! No one is using a piece of cardboard! :huh::huh:

This is what I'm talking about:

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(I admit, this is also a chance to show off my footage! :):))

MattinSTL said:
Wow... some pretty defensive attitudes around here. Who is it that's insecure again?
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Well, we're all filmmakers and/or video professionals here, so I think we're all pretty insecure. :) :)

Screw the real boom pole... a broom stick will work...
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That is totally unfair. My argument has never been anything like that, and I have made that clear. I am defensive here, but that's because each reply has argued against clearly idiotic points that I'm not making. It's a straw man, I tells ya! ;-)

In fact, my argument has never been about money. You even quoted me as saying that "we can all afford a slate." My point is that it's merely window dressing to make you look like the "real thing." A slate (unless it's has electronic sync features) is NOT a piece of professional gear. It adds no measurable benefit to the production like good lights or sound gear does.

Nobody said a slate makes the picture... the whole point was that it's about IMAGE... which is the business we're in...
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Well, It's been my experience that "image" is something that happens at premieres and festival parties, not on the set. On the set, we get to work (and I'm sure it's no different with any of you).

Also... sooner or later the production will be big enough (and this is nothing) that you have some degree of sound sync...
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Well, AS I SAID REPEATEDLY, that's when you need a real slate/clapper!! No one is arguing with you on that point.

so let me see if I can address your other challenge "yet to hear a good argument for spending $45"... see your previous quote in this line... lasts decades. I'd rather spend the cost of a cheap dinner for 2... once... and not look like a cheap skate for the next 2 or 3 decades. I'd say that's a pretty good argument.
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Normally, you'd be right. What's a few bucks across years? In fact, I'm not against using a slate, but my point is that a slate is OVERPRICED and, in most cases, unnecessary. It's exactly the same a whiteboard!

If the only reason you're using a "real" slate is because of "image," well... that looks bad...
 
Your grabs look very good... I wasn't trying to rub you the wrong way.

Just my .02
 
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Alright, there is no way to get you to see our way of thinking. No one here started bashing you. You were the one that attacked us.

And sorry - but image on set matters to clients and to other crew members. I've been working in the industry - many of my friends have been working in the industry. And image matters wether you like to think so or not. That is what Matt and I and others have been getting at.
 
Let's keep this thread's focus on the DIY aspect please.

Robot ? You can agree to disagree but it won't change the opinions of most of us here. You can use whatever you like (are you clapping your hands when slating for the audio ?)

And with filmmakers and all of us being insecure ?

Speak for yourself !

: /
 
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