I posted this question on the FAQ forum a while ago, but since I haven't gotten a reaction so far, let me try it here:
For some time now I've wondered what the word 'slate' means on film clapboards. Clapboards always contain the number of the scene and take, the number of the roll (the actual roll of film I presume?) and a slate-number. I would like to know what the meaning of this slate number is.???
The word "slate" is a hold over from earlier days of filmmaking. The shot identification was written in chalk on a chalkboard or slate (because even earlier these erasable boards found in schools where actual made from slate) below the actual "clapper". Now-a-days it's more commonly a dry erase board.
I've worked in film making for a long time and have never seen "slate number" so I can't help. All I have on my boards is scene, take and roll.
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The aim of an argument or discussion should not be victory, but progress.
Joseph Joubert, essayist (1754-1824)
Maybe it's a European thing: pretty much every movie I've worked on has used a slate/shot number rather than scene and shot. Slate/shot number goes up by one for every new shot, and then there's some paperwork to relate the slate number to the scene and shot.
I'm quite sure I've seen it on clapboards for many US productions as well. I'll try to find a picture somewhere. Mostly in the order ROLL SCENE SLATE TAKE. Isn't 'slate' the same as 'shot' here? It would make sense..
