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How to Make a Real Movie Clapper Board

The clapperboard is synonymous with movie production. It's the object held up in front of the camera before shooting a take. Details of the movie and the take number are written on the board to identify the piece of film or video when the rushes are viewed later. The "clapper" section at the top is used to synchronize sound and video during editing. The loud "clack" sound is positioned to coincide with the closing of the clapper as seen on the video.

Things You'll Need

  • Hardwood board, 12 inches by 10 1/2 inches, 1/8-inch thick
  • 2 hardwood strips 11 inches by 1.5 inches, 1/8-inch thick
  • Panel pins or short nails
  • Hardwood strip 12 inches by 1.5 inches, 1/8-inch thick
  • 2 triangular steel corner brackets 2 inches by 1 3/4 inches
  • Drill with 1/8-inch bit
  • 1/8-inch bolts with nut
  • Blackboard paint
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the board on a stable level work surface . Affix one of the two hardwood strips along the top edge using the panel pins. Allow the strip to overhang the top edge of the board, by approximately 1/8-inch and position it so that its end lines up with the right hand edge. This will leave the top, left corner of the board exposed.

    • 2

      Flip the board over and attach the other strip to the opposite side in just the same position as the first. This should create a channel along the top edge of the board, with the side walls formed by the overhanging edges of the strips.

    • 3

      Flip the board over again and nail the bottom edge of the triangular bracket to the top left corner of the board, in the space left by the strips. Flip the board over and repeat on the other side.

    • 4

      Slip the remaining strip between the two protruding prongs of the bracket and drill through the top hole, creating a fixing hole through the strip. Push the bolt through and secure it at the back of the clapper. This should now create your basic clapper shape, a board with a hinged strip along the top edge.

    • 5

      Paint the whole board with blackboard paint and allow it to dry. This will allow you to write the names of films, scenes and takes directly onto the board with chalk.

Film Production

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