Slate
Operator
By
Leigh-Ann Hammond
Hi
folks, Leigh-Ann here introducing myself to you! I have been a part of Butterfleye Films since
almost the beginning. I joined the team
just as we started filming our first movie, “Attack of the Atomic Zombies”
(2011). I came on board as the
“ABE”. What the hell is that you
ask? Well, basically it’s the name Tony
came up with for me, “Assistant Bitch Extraordinaire”. (Nope, not offended by
it – I was there to help in any way I could.)
Over time I have become a member of the board and all around ‘in-the-office
girl’. I get to take care of the
paperwork behind the scene. It doesn't sound exciting but it is very necessary. I am also a writer (under the name
Elle Gardner) and have written for BF – I took lead on writing MissedOpportunities. Occasionally you may see me in the background as well.
But
what do I do during filming? Aside from
running around helping set things up, a little hair or make up, that kind of
thing, I am also the Primary Slate Operator.
A busy little job that serves a big role when we get to editing.
Clapper Slate
Clacker
Slate It
So
the slate does a few things… first, it documents which scene is being filmed,
what take we are on and which camera we are using. All of this helps the editor keep things
straight. Sometimes a scene can take ten
or more takes to get it right, we make a note of which take was the best and
then the editor uses the slate prompts to find that best take.
But
there is something else. See the lines
at the top of the slate that make an arrow??
Well, when you close the top to the slate it makes a clapping sound. That sound is used by the editor to make sure
that the sound and the video are lined up during the editing process. When the arrow is lined up with the clap, you
know you have found the sweet spot.
Especially helpful if you are using external sound to go with the
film.
As
you know, we are a modern company and you know something… there’s an app for
that! Yup, for iPhones or Android there
are tons of apps you can download. Our
app of choice is the simple free on of Film Clapper Board. So when your hands are full of multitasking,
you can always pull your phone out of your pocket and still get the job done,
they even come with the clapping sound effect!
Now,
when you shoot 15 scenes a day, 8 takes a scene on average, you get a lot of
clapping going on. So much so that it
could drive an editor MAD!!! Tony is not
only our editor here at Butterfleye, but he is also a musical genius. So out of insanity he created this little
number. We hope you enjoy!
