What Does Slate Mean in Film?
The film slate is a term that will come up frequently on the set and is often tossed around. Like other terms and lingo on the set, the term “slate” is used to describe something entirely different than what you may think. You’ll quickly find that various film terms and lingo make up a big part of the learning curve when you enter the film industry. As you prepare yourself for all the different terminology and lingo, you’re probably wondering, “What does slate mean in film?”
WHAT DOES SLATE MEAN IN FILM?
The term “slate” can actually have several meanings in the film world. Generally, the term is used to describe a clapper board. In fact, this is the most common use of the term film slate. And references the piece of equipment used in early filmmaking. To denote the beginning or end of a take.
The clapper board would have information written onto an area of slate in which chalk would be used to denote details regarding the take.
Although clapper boards are not typically made from slate, or black boards, anymore. The term film slate is still used to reference the clapper board that appears on the screen when filming.
Just like early clappers. The slate is shown at the beginning of a take immediately prior to the commencement of action. This is the most common use of the term slate in film.
OTHER USES OF SLATE IN FILM
Sometimes the term “Slate” can be used in film to denote another meaning. So, what else does slate mean in film? It could mean a collection of projects. For example, a producer or a production company might say that they have a slate. This means that they have a group of projects.
When the term “slate” is used to denote a collection of projects you might hear things like, “I’ve got a slate of films ready for the film festival” or “We’ve got a development slate prepared for the upcoming film festival.”
When the term “development slate” is used, the filmmaker is referencing projects that have not been produced yet.
USING SLATE IN FILMMAKING
If you’re new to the film industry, the best way for you to determine what slate means in film when you hear someone use the term is to think about the context of the term and how it is said.
If you hear the term “slate” being used on the film set, it’s most likely in reference to the clapper board that is denoting the beginning of another take on the set.
Likewise, if you hear a production crew, studio owner or someone else mention a slate of films or a development slate, then the term most likely means a collection of projects that the producer or studio owner is behind.
What does slate mean in film? It means either a clapper board or a collection of projects, which you can determine the exact meaning by the context behind the term.