To Slate or Not to Slate? at DVinfo.net

Peter Moretti · November 3rd, 2009, 04:45 AM

I am going to be working a documentary that will have a lot of shots of people working run and gun interviews.

While it seems possible for me to slate, it could be distracting to the subject or a hassle for our small crew. We will be shooting two cameras (Canon HV-20 and HF-10) and recording sound to a Sound Devices 744T.

Thanks for any advice!

Paul Cascio · November 3rd, 2009, 05:22 PM

Consider slating at the end of the clip, or do an audio slate at the end of the take marked by a common slate. Either way, when you get to post you'll appreciate having done it.

Denny Lajeunesse · November 6th, 2009, 04:48 PM

We never slated interviews as this is distracting etc to the interviewee. Slate anything else you can though. Your editor will love you (or at least not hate you, which is almost as good).

With interviews you want to avoid making the subject nervous (and sometimes the interviewer) etc. So small crew. Little to know dialogue between crew. Refrain from stopping the interview part way through in order to make a small change. This isn't a film set, it's an interview.

November 3rd, 2009, 04:45 AM	#1
Peter Moretti Trustee Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sherman Oaks, CA Posts: 1,259	To Slate or Not to Slate? I am going to be working a documentary that will have a lot of shots of people working run and gun interviews. While it seems possible for me to slate, it could be distracting to the subject or a hassle for our small crew. We will be shooting two cameras (Canon HV-20 and HF-10) and recording sound to a Sound Devices 744T. Thanks for any advice! __________________ Avid Media Composer 3.1.3. Boris Red and Continuum Complete. Vegas 8.0c. TMPGEnc Xpress Pro 4.0

November 3rd, 2009, 05:22 PM	#2
Paul Cascio Trustee Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Bristol, CT (Home of EPSN) Posts: 1,192	Consider slating at the end of the clip, or do an audio slate at the end of the take marked by a common slate. Either way, when you get to post you'll appreciate having done it. __________________ Paul Cascio www.pictureframingschool.com

November 6th, 2009, 04:48 PM	#3
Denny Lajeunesse Major Player Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Kelowna, BC [Canada, Eh!] Posts: 257	We never slated interviews as this is distracting etc to the interviewee. Slate anything else you can though. Your editor will love you (or at least not hate you, which is almost as good). With interviews you want to avoid making the subject nervous (and sometimes the interviewer) etc. So small crew. Little to know dialogue between crew. Refrain from stopping the interview part way through in order to make a small change. This isn't a film set, it's an interview.