Clapping slates. Action.
 

Just curious.
Since we're about dv in this forum, i'm just curious as to how many of you still practise clapping slates (marking for sound syncing) when shooting on dv with audio recorded direct to tape.

I still use one. My first attempts in filming with DV was with some consumer camcorders without mic-in. I recorded the sound to an external minidisc unit so I used a clap to sync. Today I still use it, it's an habit. But I found it useful to have the first frame of each clib beginning with the scene numbering on it to spot it faster on my computer.

I don’t use one since I’ve switched to video. But using a mark at the beginning of each take is a good idea if you have someone to hold it in frame for you. It’s a good idea have a chip chart for color correction, and as Jean-Philippe mentioned a direct indication of what scene is up while capturing and editing. In the long run it can save a lot of time.

Just a bit of trivia – does anyone know what the anagram "MOS” stands for on a slate?

I would swear that the audio drifts a frame or two on my GL1. I think slating it might not be a bad idea even if you record direct to camera.

or you could just push it a frame forward.
hah.
guess it makes for better filming then videotaping. Gets the passion and performance going i suppose.

> I would swear that the audio drifts a frame or two on my GL1.
> I think slating it might not be a bad idea even if you record
> direct to camera.

Many MiniDV cameras seem to suffer from delayed video (or early audio, if you prefer) ... this is because it takes more time to process the video that is going to tape and most venders want to keep costs as low as possible so there is no delay line for the audio built-in. A notable exception, Sony semi pro Mini DV's like the PD150, PD170 and PDX10 seem not to have this problem. The DVX100 has a noticable delay of up to 4 frames video vs. audio but it seems to have been fixed in the DVX100A, according to Adam Wilt. Note: this has nothing to do with locked or unlocked audio.

<<<-- Originally posted by Daniel Kohl :
Just a bit of trivia – does anyone know what the anagram "MOS” stands for on a slate? -->>>

Mit Out Sound!!!


I clap a set of sticks if shooting multiple cameras, although any sharp sound will work. If I have a produciton assistant marking takes, then I'll slate each shot to make editing a little smoother. Sometimes I just skip it if we are in a rush to shoot.

I used a marker slate (No clap) for LadyX. Never ued one before but I found it really good for in helping me find stuff. If I had of had proper adjustable timecode, or had some way of seeing it on the XM2 without having to playback, I probably would have tried to log the takes, but I didn't. We also had a pretty small crew and we were working like mad so I probably would have let the logging fall away ;)

I would definately use one if I was doing double system recording.

Aaron

MOS
 

<<<-- Originally posted by Dylan Couper :

Mit Out Sound!!!

That’s funny – I used to think exactly the same thing, until I moved to Germany. I wonder how that got around. I guess everyone knew it had to be something German-like.

MOS stands for "Markierung Ohne Sync” which means Mark without (ohne) Synchronized-sound.

The term "M O S" is used, on a slate, when a scene is filmed without sync sound (or any sound).

What MOS orginally stood for is still up for discussion.


The "Mit out Sound" legend.

Some of the early directors in Hollywood, whose first language was German, had trouble with the sound "with". So instead of saying, " we are recording this scene "without sound" the words came out "We are recording this scene mitout sound. Because this word corruption, MOS means "without sound"

MOS may also stand for...

Minus optical signal
Minus optical sound
Minus optical stripe
Muted on screen
Mute on sound
Mic off stage
Music on side
Motor only shot
Motor only sync

Mixer Outside Smoking!

RB

>>Minus optical signal
Minus optical sound
Minus optical stripe
Muted on screen
Mute on sound
Mic off stage
Music on side
Motor only shot
Motor only sync

Mixer Outside Smmoking!<<
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I never heard of any of those before.

Sssssh...Mother on Set

bravo bravo.
seems you all clap clap then.

<<<-- Originally posted by Rob Belics : >>Minus optical signal
Minus optical sound
Minus optical stripe
Muted on screen
Mute on sound
Mic off stage
Music on side
Motor only shot
Motor only sync

Mixer Outside Smmoking!<<
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I never heard of any of those before. -->>>


Me neither, but from now on, I'm telling people it is "Mixer Outside Smoking"

Never heard Markierung Ohne Sync either, but it sounds more likely than Mit Out Sound

I have a slate that across the sticks it has color stripes going from black, mid-grey, white and so on up the line.

When I capture footage or drop footage into the NLE I always make sure that keep that tagged on the front so I can color correct off them.

Slates help you keep track of 'good' takes marked by the person keeping track of shots, shot numbers and any notes on each shot.

Not only that but when I'm logging footage I can make note of the take out of them I want to use when I"m editing the piece together.

Without the slate information how can you tell which are good and which are bad takes? It's nice to be able to know before you get wrapped up in a shot that you think looks great only to go bad.


In the advent of the audio falling out of sync you can perhaps get it back by matching up like you would sync sound.