Slate sequence

S

sshafer

Member
I am teaching a high school digital video class an am wondering how people deal with the procedure of slating their clips. What I currently use is:
Quiet
Sound --------- Speed(Response)
Camera-------- Rolling(Response)
Slate
Action
Cut

I would like to find a resource that explains this process in more detail. I have read that it is different for tv, documentaries, film, etc. I also understand there are a lot of phrases for doing the scene again, moving to the next scene and so forth. Thanks for your help.
 
first, a resource with some set lingo (not completely accurate, but to give you an idea): http://artfulwriter.com/archives/2005/11/set_lingo_for_w.html

second, some practical advice. the process you use has more to do with your location and equipment than with your delivery specifications (tv, documentaries, film, etc).

for instance, if you are on location, you may need to lock down the location for traffic before you call quiet on the set. and by you, i mean your AD of course. also, if you are recording sound directly into your camera because you can't afford a sound department, you might not need to ask for speed on sound.

for a high school digital class, this is definitely sufficient. if you want to be more specific, crew up for some grad school productions in your area.
 
Thanks

The biggest reason I want to use the lingo is to get the kids to pay attention to what is going on. Often times the sound person and/or other crew are distracted. Asking for sound can let the director know that he/she is listening, if the sound person does not respond who knows what will happen.

Thanks for the link and advice.
 
Here's my $.02:

On my sets, we will rehearse at some point. The AD will call out "Rehearsal's up!" ...after we have lit and blocked, I announce we are "going for a take". My first AD will repeat that loudly so everyone knows. This will coincide with "quiet on set....quiet please..."

The AD will call out "Roll sound" Soundman will answer "Speed" or "Speeding" Rarely hear soundspeed anymore.

AD will call out "Roll Camera" and an important reply will come from the operator or DP: "Camera's ready" Which is important !!! Just because you yell out Roll camera doesn't mean they are rolling - some last minute glitch could've held them up. I will always wait until I hear Camera's ready.....So will the 2nd AC who wil then jump in and call out the scene...

"Scene 4 baker, Take 1...marker" or "soft sticks" if the slate is in front of someone's face, or "tail sticks" (and upside down) if it's after a take....

I will call out Action.....and then cut.

Occasionaly you will hear "Camera Cut" if there is a roll out or technical problem with the camera that stops filming / recording during a take.

I may say to the first AD "let's go again" He will call out loudly...."Going again!" Which basically causes people not to move from the last setup and quickly perform another take

Once in a while I will say "Doing a series" before a take. This is also broadcast loudly to tell the actors they must do three or four of the same movements in one take - i.e. Looking a certain direction, pointing, saying a one liner. There are too many instances where cutting between such short actions would be way to tedious, so we do them in a series.

When I'm ready I tell the AD we're moving on. He will either call out "Moving On" or perhaps "Going for the flip", or "Going for the Reverse", in which case we all move to the other side of the scene. Or we just move on to a totally different setup.


I think that's all the scenarios. Hope that helps!
 
taormina said:
Here's my $.02:
"Scene 4 baker, Take 1...marker" or "soft sticks" if the slate is in front of someone's face, or "tail sticks" (and upside down) if it's after a take....
Click to expand...

Also, one other thing is second sticks. If the slate wasn't clapped loud enough, or something crazy happened, I guess the 1st, or maybe the AD, will call for second sticks in which they just slate it again. Without calling it all out of course.

That link was pretty good though. Film jargon is just so fun. Can't get enough.
 
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