Tail Slate

Marking the End of a Take

A tail slate, also known as an end slate or end board, is a specific and crucial procedure used to mark a take for post-production synchronization. The standard practice is to use a “head slate,” where the clapperboard is filmed at the beginning of the shot. However, in certain situations, slating at the start is impractical or disruptive. The tail slate provides a solution, ensuring that even these difficult shots can be properly synced.

This is a common and routine procedure, and the post-production team is well-accustomed to handling takes that have been marked in this way.

When is a Tail Slate Necessary?

A director or camera operator will call for a tail slate when a head slate would compromise the shot, such as in these common scenarios:

• Obstructed View: The camera may be starting a shot in a position where there is no physical room to fit the slate in front of the lens, such as an extreme close-up or a camera hidden in a tight space.
• Spontaneous Performance: The director may want to roll the camera to capture a candid, documentary-style, or emotionally delicate performance without breaking the actor’s focus with the formal ritual of slating.
• Working with Animals or Children: The sudden appearance and sharp clap of a slate can startle or distract an animal or a very young child, so the take is often marked at the end to avoid this.
• Complex Camera Moves: A shot that starts with a rapid or complex camera movement might make it unsafe or impossible to slate at the beginning.

The Proper Procedure

To avoid confusion in post-production, a tail slate has its own specific protocol:

1. The take is filmed as normal. Just before the director is about to call “Cut!”, the 2nd Assistant Camera (AC), who operates the slate, quickly moves into frame.
2. The 2nd AC holds the clapperboard upside down. This is the universal visual signal to the editor that this is a tail slate and not the beginning of a new take.
3. The 2nd AC loudly calls “Tail Slate!” or “End Board!” so that the sound is clearly recorded.
4. The sticks are clapped together, and the director immediately calls “Cut!”