Arts >> Movies & TV >> Film Production

How to Slate a Shooting Script

Properly formatting a slate from a shooting script can take some of the burden off the editor during the editing process. Using a slate in video or film production allows editors to synchronize audio and visual images with ease. Slates, which are sometimes referred to as clapperboards, organize information from a script such as scene names and numbers, the take number, the location, and the day number. The slate operator often works directly with the script supervisor to ensure continuity errors don't occur. Within recent years, many film slates have adopted dry erase material allowing for the easy input and removal of data. A shooting script can be slated by becoming familiar with the proper format, script, and organization methods.

Things You'll Need

  • Dry Erase Film Slate
  • Dry Erase Marker
  • Index Cards
  • Shooting Script
  • Pen or Pencil
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Locate the script supervisor or person in charge of the production and ask for a list of scenes that will be shot on that particular day.

    • 2

      Refer to the shooting script. Read the scene headings of the scenes that will be shot. Copy each scene heading to its own individual index card.

    • 3

      Prepare each index card. On the top half of the index card write the date, the production title, the director, and the director of photography. Draw a line directly under this data. Under the line include scene numbers, camera angle, take number, and camera letter.

    • 4

      Using the dry erase marker, transfer the information located on the index card onto the film slate, into the appropriate fields. Most film slates have designated fields labeled for information input. If a particular field is missing cut a small piece of masking tape to cover the fields title. Then write over the masking tape with the new label.

    • 5

      Thoroughly erase information from the film slate at the end of each take and update it accordingly.

Film Production

Related Categories