Transwiki:Slating procedure

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Film is an expensive medium and filmmaking a time-consuming process, therefore conservation and efficiency are paramount. A slating procedure is an agreed shooting protocol adopted by a film production crew to ensure that recording begins just before the action starts, and ends immediately after action stops. A good slating procedure helps keep film costs down to a minimum by optimising communication between relevant departments during a take. The following example is a typical slating procedure based on current film-industry practise, however each production office determines its own style:

[edit] Typical Slating Procedure

• Step 1: The assistant director ("1AD") calls into the walkie-talkie: "This is picture!", which tells the crew that a take is about to begin.
• Step 2: The 1AD calls "Quiet please!" followed by "Stand by", after which everyone is expected to be absolutely silent.
• Step 3: The 1AD calls "Roll sound". This alerts the production sound mixer ("SM") to start recording the sound.
• Step 4: The SM starts the sound recorder, voice slates the scene and take number, and then calls "Speed". This indicates that recording has started and the SM is ready for the new take to begin.
• Step 5: The 1AD calls "Roll camera". This alerts the camera operator ("CO") to start recording the picture.
• Step 6: The CO starts the camera and then calls "Speed" to the 1AD and "Mark it" to the 2AC.
• Step 7: The second assistant camera ("2AC") holds up the clapperboard in clear view of the camera, with clapsticks open, and marks the shot by calling "Marker" just before clapping the clapsticks. On some productions, the 2AC might also give a second voice slate before clapping the sticks.
• Step 8: The film director ("D") starts the action by calling "Action". The take begins.
• Step 9: The D stops the action by calling "Cut". If the take is successful then the D calls "Print", otherwise "Retake".
• Step 10: Steps 1 to 9 are repeated until the 1AD calls "New deal" for a new camera angle, "Next set" for a new stage setting, or "That's a wrap" to end the day's shooting.

Key

• 1AD = First Assistant Director
• 2AC = Second Assistant Camera (or Clapper-Loader)
• SM = Sound Mixer
• CO = Camera Operator
• D = Director