Clapperboard/ about $20 + labor

[hnatkowicz]

Great job. I am always amazed at the DIYer's ingenuity versus the standard/accepted method of doing things. You have made some wonderful improvements to a piece of hardware that probably hasn't changed much in 90 years... awesome!

[shapeworkstudios1]

how did you mount the marker on??

[armeeuff1]

@shapeworkstudios1 If you mean the 'marker' pen, it came with the dry erase board, but like I think I said in here somewhere, if I was to do it again, I'd make any markers fit into the handle with a screw-on or pop on cap to hold them in, as about every time I take this somewhere, there's always time that ends up being eaten to find the marker, that popped off somewhere, usually under the car seat, but sometimes it's a search mission instead. Frustrating and time consuming.

[shapeworkstudios1]

@armeeuff1 ya thats what i meant. I got one of those cheap clapperboards u can buy for 5$ and printed out a custom clapperboard sheet from frugal filmmaker, that's taped on (i changed it a bit) i got one of those little dry erase markers, that has an eraser ON the cap, and i'm trying to figure out a way i could mount in to the claperboard, so i don't have to carry it sepratly. any ideas? thanks!

[armeeuff1]

Random sounds? Haha, yea, this is only the 3rd video (of over 300) I did and uploaded since I started about 2 years ago. I had just gotten a MacBook Pro laptop and was just starting into editing in iMovie 08 and Garage Band(both which I still do nearly everything on)when I did this and was just trying out stuff. What's funny to me is it continues to draw most my hits, day after day, week after week, always been in the top 3 and is usually #1. I'm amazed but I admit, it's pretty bad!

[AndreasSheiLT]

what's with the random sounds?

[Gubbymanden]

haha mac sounds ;D

[Bruce177]

I have made a couple of clapper boards now (big and small) & I love your idea of the handle, nice touch! Something I do -and would be an easy mod for yours if so required (I believe it it done with pro boards) I add two small round neodymium disc magnets (e-bay) to open end of the the clap sticks just drill a suitable size hole and epoxy them in. This helps make a good strong single "Clap" and would also help keep the sticks together in transport. Awesome job! Thanks for posting the vid. :)

[armeeuff1]

@Bruce177 Noedymium disc? Sorry man I have NO way to get to Mars, which is where these things are for all I know!LOL Seriously tho(but not for long), I had seen use of magnets before, but sorta assumed they were only to hold the sticks together when not being used. So if they actually hit and make the clap, I wonder if any type of wood can be used if the clap is now coming from something else? Maybe something even besides wood?

[Bruce177]

@armeeuff1 lol I have the magnets just flush with the clapping face of the clapper so it is still the wood making the "CLAP" it just helps them come together nice and clean snap without a bounce. I have used oak and mahogany for the clap sticks myself both have worked as well as each other.

[jrm637]

I have to admit, I've looked at a lot of different slate boards and yours is pretty cool. Especially if you needed to clap with only one hand available. Very cool, bro!

[armeeuff1]

@jrm637 - Thanks.Thought about redoing the video or making another board AS I build it (I tend to build 'on the fly' much of the timer), but always too busy to backtrack it seems, and like the saying goes, 'If it ain't broken..."

But I just built a collapsible stage knife for a video I shot last night, and this time I DID start with the basic parts but didn't video as I built it, but in steps before and after the ideas came to me.Should go over pretty well.

[PlanetEarthPro]

I really like your video tutorial on this subject... in fact it's the best I've seen on YouTube so far. I am curious to know what the dimensions of the board are. Thanks!

[paulosemifusa]

Haha...very very good!!!!

[FXStudios1]

that lookes really nice

great job

[crazycoolboy100]

thanks that worked out with me and Coalcowboy32

[digitalbroadcaster]

Probably won't be using film? Hehe. We do! LOTS of it. S35mm stuff and 1000ft mags. No sound though. Yes, you've guessed it! 2nd Unit (aerials). Don't know how this board would cope with the downwash of the rotors though? It's bad enough trying to hold onto the camera dome! Also, you can buy a ready made acrylic board from Panavision. But a good post anyway. Never seen a board with the colour 'wheel' on it though and it won't help much. But still a nice amateur slate though. Good!

[aquabilly]

really enjoyed that...class. I couldn`t help smiling at the sound effects...cheesy or not ! Thanks for posting.

[TwilightSaga510]

man i taped my dry erase on my wall really good so i can't take it off

[armeeuff1]

I don't know if your serious bro, but assuming for a moment you are: Vinegar in a spray bottle may loosen sticky tape as I've used it to remove wallpaper.Or,stand there with a hot blow dryer on it and that may do it too. Or, if all else fails,cut out the drywall with the dry erase board on it and sell it on the corner!

[photoshackDotCom]

The handle is the part that is unique with the clapper, all things on one board. Run like the wind.....

[photoshackDotCom]

The sound effects didn't bother me much; anyone who's listened to morning talk radio is pretty much used to that.

Enjoyed the video, although for me the cost of spending the five hours it would take to do it brings the cost to probably four times what it would cost for a mass produced one. But, it has more functionality really. I do think you should consider finding a manufacturer and take your prototype to market...

[armeeuff1]

Thanks and you're probably right, considering it's getting the most "hits" on my channel. Here I am trying to make it as a filmmaker and may be missing a golden opportunity! Contemplating costs vs. sellable markup.Sure don't need a closetful of these if it doesn't fly, but then again, it seems I won't...

[ThomasGrillo]

That's the coolest clapper board!

You should patent it!

Single handed operation, pen holder, color check patch, way cool!

Well done. ;)

[digitalbroadcaster]

ThomasGrillo: There is a risk of putting too much on a board. Post doesn't like overworked boards. ALL slates are single handed once you have the knack of keeping the sound sync (clap) sticks separated with the palm/fingers. Just make sure that the sticks are magnetic to stop them opening up when holding the slate upside down (to signify 'end of scene/roll').

[ThomasGrillo]

Thanks for the info. I'll certainly apply that in my work. I'm certainly going to put magnets in my existing slates now.

Happy holidays. :)

[digitalbroadcaster]

This board here wouldn't last long out in the field. This is for home video use only (armeeuff1, I'm NOT knocking this board!). Working in motion pictures, we go through many boards. One board per film sometimes. We use ours with our helicopters so we have to hold the things with both hands. Time lost dropping a board is bad news and is frowned upon by production company. We actually use film (35mm x1000ft magazines) for motion pictures and video for TV commercials. Slates are so vital!

[ThomasGrillo]

Indeed, dropping a board is not goot. FAA frowns on anything dropping rom aircraft too :)

I needed a double sided slate when I shot my dvd, Theremin Lessons as I had a cam in front of me, and one behind me. Couldn't hold out for the real board to show up, but had a toy slate which I put white paper on, marked, and put clear tape on. Did that both sides for a 2 sided dry erase slate. Worked great til my backordered one showed up.

[thiesenf]

If you're an indie film maker you should know when to use sound fx and HOW to use them... in a tutorial like this you should NOT use sound fx since they draw the viewer away from what you are trying to say.

¨

And I am not even a film maker.

[armeeuff1]

Point taken, and possibly you are right. One reason was to make it a little more watchable than most 'dry' ones I've seen, and 2, this was one of the first things I did with Macs' "Garage Band", I was merely having some fun with it, just to "stretch" my imagination a little, that's all. I never intended it to be the 'be all to end all' video's on making a clapperboard. If that was the case, I would have included footage of the actual making of it. But I DO value your opinion, and thanks!

[Cheapcinema]

Awsome!