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Identifying Recorded Image Content
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Photography (Basic) - Introduction to photography and other graphic techniques
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Figure 13-16.–The slate. required to put the new car together, you probably would not be entirely grateful. Maybe you could assemble it (if you  were  an  experienced  mechanic),  but  you  know  that more  information  would  save  you  time,  frustration, duplication of effort, and help tremendously toward a successful outcome. On the other hand, if every part were  clearly  identified  and  the  exact  relationship  to every other part was unmistakably described, you would certainly appreciate the gift much more. Being faced with several thousand feet of unidentified videotape is very much the same kind of situation. SLATING The slate you use to identify video scenes may take several forms. In emergencies you may even write scene identification on a scrap of paper and film it before shooting the scene; however, in most instances, your slate is more formal. Your regular slate is made to show whatever information is necessary. Generally, this includes the command or unit, title or subject, name of the  cameraperson  (identifies  who  is  responsible  for filming or videotaping the good or bad footage), date, location, and camera serial number (fig. 13-16). If you are part of a large organization that has several crews, then also include the unit number. In short, the slate should   contain   information   needed   for   proper identification  of  each  scene  on  your  film. The biggest problem encountered by imaging personnel  in  the  Department  of  Defense  during Operation Desert Storm was the lack of identification of exposed imagery. There were literally boxes of film and videotape lining the passageways in the Pentagon. Most of this imagery was of little value because it was not identified,  or  it  was  labeled  inaccurately. Accurate records are almost as important as good video  coverage  in  achieving  a  professional  product. Imaging products must be labeled, so the subject matter and subject location are easily identifiable on the tape. Often, there is no opportunity for personal contact between  the  cameraperson  and  editor;  therefore,  records identifying the filmed image content are the only information  available.  Logically,  the  better  the  records, the  more  useful  the  videotape.  The  opposite  rule  is  also true. Inaccurate records can make the video coverage useless. Do not let that happen to your work. The slate may actually be a piece of slate with the data written or lettered on it in white chalk. Quite often the “slate” is white with an acetate surface, and the data is written on it with a black grease pencil. When you slate a scene, hold the slate in front of the camera lens and record it for about 10 seconds for videotape or 3 feet for  motion-picture  film. Of the information you place on your slate should be clearly printed in large, block letters. Film your slate so it fills the complete frame. If your slate is not full frame, the lettering may be too small to read when the tape is viewed. 13-24







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