Back in the rock age , you might recall , we had to record the effect of our life on video camcorders instead of our phones . These camcorder were great for amateur home use because they were pretty gentle to use . Just point at something , arrive at a button and the audio and the picture were recorded together in one place .
This is different than how thing are done in Hollywood , where the image and sound for movies are recorded separately . The effigy are captured on film by tv camera , and the audio gets recorded on a separate analog or digital audio fipple pipe ( if a scene or set is specially noisy , some production might even have actors re - tape their dialogue in a studio apartment , in a outgrowth know as Automated Dialogue Replacement / Additional Dialogue Recording , or ADR ) .
The two parts have to be put back together in redaction and cautiously match . To do that , it helps to have a way to contemporize the image and the sound . This where that clicky plank affair come up in .
Called a clapperboard or a slate board , among other things , it ’s used to make syncing audio and film easier and to identify takes and scenes . The clap or click of the board is loose for editor in chief to pick out on the audio track and match to the visual of the glossa clapping on the film , syncing the displace characterization with the sound .
The boards used to be made of actual pieces of ticket , and by and by whiteboard , with the scene data spell on them in methamphetamine hydrochloride or marker . The relevant info include the vista and take number , the camera angle , the engagement , the production title and the name of the director . The diagonal black and white strain usually seen on the hinged part that ’s clapped down are there to ensure visibility .
Today , many larger production have switched over to “ digislates ” or “ wise slates . ” These clapperboards display , in LED , a timecode engender by the audio vertical flute . The two are synced , and the control board just has to be show to the camera before a scene for the editor to find the same point in the film and audio tracks , no clap needed .
But on the positive side , if you needgift ideas for film buffsin your living , this type of board could be a good alternative to think .
This article was originally publish in 2012 and has been updated .
