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Filmmaking Tips for Camera Assistants

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The Subtleties of the Slate Video

Slating can be tough. It's not enough just to do it OK – you have to perfect all sorts of nuances and tricks. With that in mind, this video, "The Subtleties of the Slate," is a welcome tutorial in the more advanced methods of master clappers.

by Evan Luzi | Camera Assisting | July 2, 2010 | Comments: 7

A friend I recently worked with showed me this video. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at the clapper/loader on a film called Van Diemen’s Land. It’s a bit tongue in cheek and anybody who’s ever tried a trick slate will appreciate it. Enjoy!

Related posts:

  1. A Salute to 2nd AC’s Everywhere (Video)
  2. Camera Assistant Failure and Advice to Avoid Doing It Yourself (Video)
  3. Quick Tip: Slating in Frame Every Time
  4. Put Down Your Slate and Quickly Walk Away

About the AuthorEvan Luzi

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Creator of The Black and Blue. Freelance camera assistant and camera operator for over a decade. He also runs a lot. Learn more about Evan here.

Read Next

A Salute to 2nd AC’s Everywhere (Video)

A Salute to 2nd AC's Everywhere (Video)

Remember that old series of Bud Light commercials that saluted "real men of genius?" Where they would pick someone who is almost always relatively unknown but that everyone is aware of and sing a song to/about them? Well, it turns out that Bud Light was willing to shine a light on the usually invisible camera assistants in one of these ads.

  • Camera Assistant Failure and Advice to Avoid Doing It Yourself (Video)
  • Quick Tip: Slating in Frame Every Time
  • Put Down Your Slate and Quickly Walk Away
  • Be a Faster AC #2: Cut Down on What You Say When Slating
Deciphering the Film Slate Mural

Deciphering the Film Slate (Part 3): Twelve Examples of a Completed Slate

I find looking at other slates to be extremely helpful. When I was first starting out as a 2nd AC, it was useful to see how others applied the principles I had learned about slating. So let's take a look at twelve completed clapperboards.

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Happy Labor Day: The Film Industry Should Treat Crew Better

Today is Labor Day in the United States and, as we recognize this national holiday dedicated to the achievements of the American workforce, it's important to acknowledge that the crew in the film industry – the labor – hold more skill, talent, and power than is being recognized and rewarded.

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Becoming the Reel Deal eBook Cover on iPad

It Only Takes One Gig.

Becoming the Reel Deal is a free downloadable eBook written to help you get your first job on set in the camera department so you can launch your film career.

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