Today’s class consisted of everyone getting involved and having a role. I ended up having a very small role, as the film clapper! I was really looking forward to actually clapping it – but apparently it wasn’t necessary as we were only using one channel of audio.

Once the class members were assigned roles, we took to our script and worked on it accordingly. We shot the work in alignment with what is written on the sheets and I marked each shot. I’m hoping we get to edit these, but we may begin working on something else.

CREW setting up camera and sound equipment

ACTORS waiting patiently to begin their scene

In this class I learnt that there are a couple of things to have called out in order for everyone to check they’re all ready to begin shooting, it is no longer just ‘lights, camera, action!”

This is called “calling the roll” and the first section is conducted by the first assistant director (1st AD):

1st AD: Quiet on Set! Roll sound.

Sound Recordist: Sound speeds / Speeding.

1st AD: Roll camera.

Camera Operator/s or Cinematographer: Camera speeds./Rolling.

Then the second assistant camera (2nd AC) will slate with the clapper board and call out the current scene and take numbers eg: Scene 25 take 2.

[clapper is clapped to allow the syncing of the audio and video media]

Camera operators cinematographer will say “Set” when their camera is in position and focused properly.

Director or 1st AD: Action.

and once the action is over the Director or 1st AD (or possibly camera operator): Cut.