5 Amazing Reasons We Use Clapperboards On Set

What is a clapperboard?

If you’re on set with us producing a video podcast or some social media clips, you will see my production assistant using a classic piece of film equipment. It goes by many names, and you’ve seen it in behind-the-scenes footage of all kinds.

It is the mighty clapperboard!

Clapperboards are a tool that remain mostly unchanged throughout their history due since they serve their purpose so well already. Depending on what kind of set you are one, you will hear them called any number of names: the slate (traiditional for feature films in the USA), the clap board, the clapper or film clapper.

You will find different information on different styles of clapperboard, and used differently depending on the needs of the production crew working on the video content.

How does a clapperboard help in video content?

For such a simple tool, the clapperboard has many jobs both during the shoot and, believe it or not, in post-production too. Post-production is everything that goes on after the shoot is done, and editing is one of the biggest parts of that process.

When an editor begins their work, they first need to organize all the media files they have. Typically, they will have video files and audio files. While many cameras do record sound, typically the audio is recorded on specialized devices completely separate from the camera. This means the editor music import the video files and the audio files into their editing software, then sync them – ensuring that the audio lines up perfectly with the video.

In behind the scenes footage, you’ve seen someone on set slam the top arm of the clapperboard down onto the main body, creating a loud clap sound. The editor finds this moment in the video footage, and looks for a spike in volume in the audio.

You just line up the clap in the video footage with the resulting spike in the audio, and voila! Your audio and video are synced.

Organizing The Video Footage

The clappeboard has already appeared in the footage for the convenience of the editor. So why not put a bunch of useful information on it?

An editor often works with lots of footage, so organizing it – and knowing exactly what footage they are looking at – is important. Since the clapperboard is already in the footage, we write information on it that will be helpful to the editor. From the title of the production, to the director and cameraperson, the date the footage was taken, and more, all of this information aids the editor when they need to know what footage goes where and what they’re looking at.

Reasons We Use a Clapperboard

Now that you know what a clapperboard is and the common reasons its used, here is our list of why we bring them on set. You’ll recognize a few reasons from the above explanation, and I anticipate the other reaons will make sense too.

1. The clap sound and motion of the clapperboard allows for easy audio/video sync in post-productions.
2. The information written on the clapperboard gives the editor a quick reference point to know everything they need to about the footage they are viewing.
3. The reference information being baked-in to the footage is critical – it’s written down in the moment, it can’t change, and can’t be misplaced.
4. The clap marks the start of the scene for everyone on set. It’s an important sound to listen for, and gives a strong point for everyone to lock in on their job while the camera films.
5. Since the clapperboard is so recognizable, everyone loves using one! Handing the clapperboard to a client and having them do the honors is always an enjoyable moment on-set for me and the crew.

Now you know everything you need to about clapperboards! You are ready to impress people with your knowledge online, at parties, or be a fully qualified clapperboard operator if you become a Rooster High video content client.

Want to read more about clapperboards? Check out this article from production software company studiobinder.