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Check out this article in the print edition of StudentFilmmakers Magazine, October 2006. Click here to get a copy and to subscribe >>

The On-Set Cadence
Script for Calling a Shot!

by Michael Corbett

We have all seen it in movies hundreds of times like in Living in Oblivion or The Player. The film within the film scene. The crew is there, and they begin to shoot. Here is a brief script that you can use on your shoots to make your Assistant Director and crew look truly professional when rolling the camera on shoots.

The sound mixer should slate each scene verbally using a mic set up near the mixing console during the lull between takes or, at the very latest, after the tape gets up to speed, and then call �Speed!� We want to avoid slating verbally while film is rolling through the camera because we don�t want to waste any film this way. The camera need only roll just long enough to capture the slate closing and then set for the scene. (Pictured Right: Michael Corbett calls a shot on the set of Captiva Island.)


The shoot cadence goes like this:

Fade in:

On the first AD. The First AD keys the transmit button on his/her radio.

First Assistant Director

                                 Roll sound.

Every production person, all AD�s and all PA�s within ear shot of the First AD or on walkie talkie sing out in a loud chorus...

The Production team

                                 ROLLING!

The word rolling can be heard everywhere on the set as it echoes into a thundering silence as the highly trained professional crew stops all conversations and work while the scene is being shot.

Cut to:

Close on the sound mixer as the DAT recorder is turned to record. When the deck locks on speed, the sound mixer slates the scene verbally if it has not already been slated. The boom person points the mic at the mixer and away from the slate.

Sound Mixer
Scene 6, take 3, [or whatever]

The mixer can steal a few seconds of room tone here by delaying the announcement of speed.

Sound Mixer

                                 Speed.

The boom person points the mic back toward the slate but keeps it at a distance so that the slate closing sound does not distort.

Cut to:

Close on the First Assistant Camera operator as the camera is switched on. When the camera is up to speed (almost instantly) he nods or points at the second AC or the person who is doing the slate.

Cut to:

Medium shot of the second assistant camera operator as he/she calls �marker� and then closes the slate.

Second Assistant Camera Operator

                                 Marker.

The slate is closed, the 2nd AC clears the set, and the boom man repositions the mic for the take. The director takes a beat and then�

Director

                                 And, action.

The scene is played out. At the end of the scene the director�

Director

                                 Cut.

Cut to:

On the first AD. The First AD keys the transmit button on his/her radio.

First Assistant Director

                                 And that’s a cut.

Every production person, all AD’s and all PA’s within ear shot of the First AD or on walkie talkie sing out in a loud chorus...

The Production team

                                 That’s a cut!