Continuity Report Sheet: Logging the Shots

Consecutive Number Slating

The simplest system of logging shots is to call the first shot of the first day’s shooting Slate Number 1 and proceeds consecutively until the last shot of the last day of shooting. By using this system the risk of logging two shots with the same slate numbers is negated – unless the clapperloader and continuity have made a mistake on location! As each individual shot has its own specific slate and take number, there is little danger of confusion during the editing process.

However, there are two other systems of logging shots which are also in use.

Scene Number Slating

This system relates the scene number to the slate number. For example, Scene 56 is to be covered by six different camera angles or shots. Each shot would be assigned a letter, therefore the first shot would be 56A, the second shot 56B and so on. This system is widely used, particularly in the feature film industry in the United States – in fact it is sometimes referred to as the ‘American’ system.

The problem of using such a system lies with possible confusion in editing. Rewriting of the script might cause some scenes to be dropped or new ones added. Say Scene 56a is an additional scene. The logging of slates for this scene would therefore read 56aA, which could be misinterpreted.

Slating According to Director’s Shooting Script

The director has, prior to shooting, worked out the coverage of the scene in terms of camera angles or shots. These shots would have been given numbers or letters, possibly in shooting order, possibly in story order. The slate is then marked with the shot number of the director’s planned coverage. So for Scene 56, the director might have worked out a coverage as follows:

1. W/A shot
2. o/s 2–s favouring Kate
3. o/s 2–s favouring James
4. CU Kate
5. CU James
6. Tracking 2–s

The scene is not, of course, shot in the above order but in the order as follows:

1. W/A
2. o/s 2–s fav. Kate
3. CU Kate
4. o/s 2–s fav. James
5. CU James
6. Tracking 2–s

But the slating would refer to the director’s shooting script and be:

56.1 – which is the wide angle

56.2 – which is the o/s 2–s fav. Kate

56.4 – which is the close-up of Kate

56.3 – which is the o/s 2–s of James

56.5 – which is the CU of James

56.6 – which is the tracking 2–s

While this is fine on location, where the director is working to his or her shooting order, both the above systems run the risk of shots being mislaid during editing.

The best system of all seems to be to be one that gives everyone what they want: the editor, a consecutive numbering of slates and an identification of the scene to which these slates refer, and the director, a reference to his or her shooting script. A clapperboard which notes the scene, the shot (from the director’s shooting script), the slate (numbered consecutively from the start of the filming) and the take would cover all these and minimise the dangers of confusion and risks of losing shots.

I cannot over-emphasise the need for discussions between the PA, camera operator, recordist and editor before the shoot, to establish the most efficient way of logging the material.

The Take

The take refers to the number of times a camera angle or shot is repeated. The first time the shot is taken it is called Take 1, the second time Take 2 and so on. With every change of slate number the corresponding takes always begin with number 1. (See also the chapter on Continuity Report Sheet: Details of Shooting.)

The Pick-Up Shot

There are two uses for the term ‘pick-up’. Firstly, the re-shooting of just part of a shot that was otherwise OK is often called the ‘pick-up’. Secondly, the continuation of a shot that was stopped for some reason – perhaps the actor fluffed the lines – might be called a ‘pick-up’. Whatever the reason, the ‘pick-up’ shot should always be given a fresh slate number. It should not be given a new take number. This only occurs when the entire shot is retaken from the start.

When slating is done consecutively, the next consecutive number will be the pick-up and should be noted on your continuity sheet. If slating is done by scene numbers, pick-up shots would be given a new letter after the scene number.