Clapperboards serve two main purposes.
- The slate section provides valuable information about the specific scene.
- The clapper stick creates a visual and audible cue which makes syncing up the video and audio easier for the editor.
Who uses a clapper?
Usually the 2nd AC (assistant camera) who is also known as the “clapper/loader.”
On smaller shoots a camera assistant or runner may be in charge of it.
Tips for using a clapper on set
- Once you have clapped, move quickly out of the shot. Ensure it’s far enough that your shadow is not visible on screen.
- End board-If you are shooting in a tight spot and can not get the clapper in at the beginning, do an ‘End board’. Once the director has called ‘cut’ simply turn the clapperboard upside down and have the camera operator capture the information.
- Ensure you speak loud and clear.
- Keep the slate a consistent size in the frame. As a rule, hold the board ‘X’ft from the lens for every 10mm of focal length. This ‘X’ value will change with sensor size. On a super35 use 1ft for every 10mm, so position the slate 5ft for a 50mm, 8.5ft for a 85mm etc. A Micro 4/3 would roughly be doubled, so it would be 2ft for every 10mm of focal length. If it is a small shoot and you can, ask the Camera Op if they can clearly see the numbers and that the board is in focus.
- Not recording audio? Place your hand between the clapper stick and do not clap. This indicates no sound will be recorded.
- Carry a spare dry-wipe marker pen.
What happens in post-production?
When recording separate audio the clapper is used by the editor to line up the spike in audio with the exact frame in the video to perfectly sync image and sound.
It also allows the editor to organise and maintain the footage. It shows where in the script the footage is located and they can easily refer back to set notes which improves editorial workflow.
Clapper Features
Production Specific, this includes:
- Name of the film
- Director
- Cinematographer
- Producer
- Date
Shot Specific, this includes:
- Roll
- Scene
- Take
- MOS, Day,Night,Int,Ext
Find classic clapperboards, clappers for iPad, and many more filmmaking accessories here.
Function
Timecoding and Smart Slates
Some Smart Slates have a digital screen that shows a timecode. The clapperboard is synced to the audio recorder via a cable or a timecode generator and then is powered by batteries. When the clapper is shut it holds the display for around 4 frames which the camera will capture.
You can now even get clapper/slates that connect to iPads and Tablets making them functioning app based timecoding devices.
Tips
- When on multi-cam shoots it helps to assign cameras as A,B,C and label the rolls according. So the third camera using its 4th memory card(roll) would be C4.
- If you are using multiple cameras the clap sound can be used to sync up each camera for that shot.
- If the director wants to keep the camera rolling to capture a one-liner multiple times you can write ‘series’ after the take number.
- Add a letter after each shot in a scene. So the slating would read, Scene 15,15A,15B,15C etc.
- Be vigilant. If the information on the slate is incorrect, it will cause confusion and problems in post-production.
So do I need to use a clapperboard?
It is best practice to use one on every shoot, but it is up to you.
If you’re shooting with on-camera mics you may feel less of a need for one.
When using an external editor or recording separate audio, it is highly advisable.
Clappers provide valuable information for editing, archiving and organising footage as well as the vital job of helping to sync video and audio up in post production.
If you are ever in charge of one, make sure you fill in the details correctly, spell people’s name right and be vigilant when updating the info.
Originally published at gripup.com on October 3, 2016.
