Term: Clapboard (Slateboard)

Before each take, a clapboard appears in front of the camera, with the number of the take written on it. In addition, the number of the take is spoken aloud and recorded onto the soundtrack. Both the photographing and the recording of the take number are done for the synchronization of sound and picture, in anticipation of the editing of the film. In addition to the take number, other information on the slate could include the date, the scene number, the name of the film, and the cameraman.