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Clapperboard: Difference between revisions
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{{real world}}[[file:clapper.jpg|250px|thumb|A clapperboard from the filming of ''[[The Eleventh Hour]]'']] | {{real world}}[[file:clapper.jpg|250px|thumb|A clapperboard from the filming of ''[[The Eleventh Hour]]'']] | ||
A '''clapperboard''' — sometimes called a '''clapper''', '''slate''', '''sticks''', '''time slate''', '''marker''' or one of several other names — is an important part of the camera department's toolbox used during [[principal photography]]. It has several different functions. The information written on it helps to | A '''clapperboard''' — sometimes called a '''clapper''', '''slate''', '''sticks''', '''time slate''', '''marker''' or one of several other names — is an important part of the camera department's toolbox used during [[principal photography]]. It has several different functions. The information written on it helps to organise the use of the filmed material in [[post-production]]. It also synchronises sound and picture recording by providing an absolute visual and auditory reference point that marks the very beginning of a particular camera's attempt to capture a scene or scene-part. | ||
==Physical description== | ==Physical description== | ||
Typically small, hand-held devices, clappers have two pieces of wood or plastic hinged together so that they can be brought together to make a sharp "clap". This noise is used as an absolute auditory reference for the | Typically small, hand-held devices, clappers have two pieces of wood or plastic hinged together so that they can be brought together to make a sharp "clap". This noise is used as an absolute auditory reference for the synchronisation of the soundtrack of the scene. On most occasions during the filming of the [[BBC Wales]] version of ''Doctor Who'', the board has had the traditional colours of "absolute" white and black, arranged in diagonal slants across the clapping mechanism. These colours are used because they're visible in almost any lighting conditions. However, the production team occasionally use multi-coloured clappers. | ||
==Information on a clapper== | ==Information on a clapper== | ||
Typically, clappers in the BBC Wales era have included the series number and the [[director]] and [[director of photography]] of a scene. Rarely, the [[producer]]'s name has also been present. Perhaps more crucially, the clapper will contain: | Typically, clappers in the BBC Wales era have included the series number and the [[director]] and [[director of photography]] of a scene. Rarely, the [[producer]]'s name has also been present. Perhaps more crucially, the clapper will contain: | ||
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These scene numbers are then written on the clapper, generally underneath the roll number. On ''Doctor Who'' the person who physically writes on the clapper is the [[assistant cameraman]]. If there are two assistants listed in the credits, the assistant in charge of actually writing the information on the slate will usually be the second one listed — that is, the "2AC". The 2AC is sometimes also called — but never credited on ''Doctor Who'' as – the "clapper loader". This title is perhaps more descriptive of the actual job. Not only does he or she "load the clapper" with information, but he or she physically loads the camera with film. Thus, he or she is the person most aware of the minutae of the "roll number" — probably the most vital piece of information on the entire clapper. Typically unheralded — and never, as of [[2010]], included in an interview on ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'' — the 2AC's job is absolutely vital to almost every other department. He or she starts the flow of information to the post-production departments. | These scene numbers are then written on the clapper, generally underneath the roll number. On ''Doctor Who'' the person who physically writes on the clapper is the [[assistant cameraman]]. If there are two assistants listed in the credits, the assistant in charge of actually writing the information on the slate will usually be the second one listed — that is, the "2AC". The 2AC is sometimes also called — but never credited on ''Doctor Who'' as – the "clapper loader". This title is perhaps more descriptive of the actual job. Not only does he or she "load the clapper" with information, but he or she physically loads the camera with film. Thus, he or she is the person most aware of the minutae of the "roll number" — probably the most vital piece of information on the entire clapper. Typically unheralded — and never, as of [[2010]], included in an interview on ''[[Doctor Who Confidential]]'' — the 2AC's job is absolutely vital to almost every other department. He or she starts the flow of information to the post-production departments. | ||
His or her counterpart in post is the [[assistant editor]], whose job it is to | His or her counterpart in post is the [[assistant editor]], whose job it is to organise all incoming foootage for the [[editor]]. For reasons of efficiency, however, almost all members of the post will organise their planning around the assistant editor's organisational scheme, which in turn is based on the scene number the writer provided in pre-production and the clapper loader gave in production. | ||
==Use of clapper info by production staff== | ==Use of clapper info by production staff== | ||
Almost everyone in every stage of production uses at least a part of the clapper information to accomplish their tasks in the preparation of the episode. However, there are perhaps three people who use the information most intently, aside from the editor himself. | Almost everyone in every stage of production uses at least a part of the clapper information to accomplish their tasks in the preparation of the episode. However, there are perhaps three people who use the information most intently, aside from the editor himself. | ||
The [[sound designer|sound design]] team use the physical "clap" of the slate to | The [[sound designer|sound design]] team use the physical "clap" of the slate to synchronise the sound recording. Using the clap as an absolute point of reference, they can perfectly align the visuals with the audio. Having an auditory anchor is essential to begin the process of layering in additional sounds. This anchor also makes it possible for the editor to later trim and reposition the scenes without fear that the sound might suddenly be out of synch. | ||
The [[visual effect]]s department needs the clapper info because their own work requires a separate numbering system. A single frame of film might require several different shots, as the visual effect required might take several different "layers" of filmed effects or CGI to accomplish. Thus, they need an internal system of numbering that they can then have the 2AC refer to with a single number on the clapper. The editor can later then request the shots from visual effects by referring to that number. | The [[visual effect]]s department needs the clapper info because their own work requires a separate numbering system. A single frame of film might require several different shots, as the visual effect required might take several different "layers" of filmed effects or CGI to accomplish. Thus, they need an internal system of numbering that they can then have the 2AC refer to with a single number on the clapper. The editor can later then request the shots from visual effects by referring to that number. | ||
