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The slate is usually a full length body shot where actor starts facing the camera then slowly turns to left then right for a profile. Actor then might introduce himself facing into camera stating name, age, agent and anything else that the CD has requested. Is Ident the same thing?

Slates and idents are technical terms for what goes on a recording at the start of a recording. Slate is the term for what most people call the clapper board, which serves as a visual reference to the scene, the take, shot numbers etc - plus the clapper for syncing sound and picture. Idents are found in the TV industry, where a short still or moving image identifies the station - which used to be a simple caption, but can now be a little mini epic in itself - think the channel 4 ones where the camera goes past pylons, that at one point say CH 4.

I suspect these terms have been 'grabbed' - what is obviously needed is something to identify what the clip is and who it relates to.

Confusion comes from the films you see where somebody is in a studio and shouts 'slate' - many people don't realise the purpose and miss the clapperboard - not making the link. The ident term obviously stems from identification which sums it up - but if it's a person, it's not a real ident, but a different type of ident.

I'd guess for the people watching it, all they need is the info.

In filmed auditions (especially, but not exclusively, for commercials) an actor will usually be asked for an "ident" before they start the audition proper. This involves looking into the camera lens and stating your name and agent. The actor may then also be asked for "profiles" (as described) and (often in commercials) for "hands" - so that they can check the state of your hands (and that you have all your fingers), in which case you put your hands either side of your face and show the camera your palms and then the back of your hands.

In terms of filmed auditions, the "ident" is just to help the person viewing the auditions. If you are filming them yourself, it might include you saying who you are AND what the audition is for.

When I first started out, before I had an agent, I went to a commercial casting and was asked for an "ident". I looked bemused and the CD told me to "state my name and agent". I misheard and thought she said "name and age". I probably would have got the job if they'd been able to track down agency 42...

Love it, PG!

Thanks everyone. I learn so much from you experts.

Back to the camera ques - Ds has said he would like a video camera for Christmas (mainly for audition pieces, rehearsing in front of, holidays etc). i thought the Flip looked great but he already has an ipod, so I'm not sure if a flip would give him what he wants. Also it would be nice to be able to mount it on a tripod when he's rehearsing. I don't have a huge budget so wondered if anyone could make any recommmendations.

thaks
tikka

We use a basic tripod to mount the Flip. I`ve just had a look at it and it has "Hama" written on it. Not sure if this is the brand but it was bought by DH at the same time as camera. Knowing DH, it would have been the least expensive option