1st AD - How to Call the Roll
One of the 1st Assistant Director’s responsibilities is to “call the roll” while on set. This is very important as one of the steps include using a slate to mark a take, which helps the editor sync the audio to the picture and helps to keep track of all the shots. Below are the steps involved, usually, in calling the roll.
1) “Waiting on…” Though not technically part of calling the roll, 1st ADs may keep the set focused by frequently calling out which department is responsible for a delay in rolling a take. If the lights need to be adjusted, the 1st AD calls out, “Waiting on gaffers”. If the actors are still in their trailer, the 1st AD calls out “Waiting on talent”, etc. However, such calls can be regarded as applying excessive pressure to the department in question, and especially in the case of actors, are often avoided.
2) “Final checks, please” (or “Last looks”). Once everyone is in place, and rehearsals and blocking have finished, the 1st AD calls out, “Final checks” or “Checks”. This is the signal for any last minute adjustments, especially to hair, makeup, wardrobe and props.
3) “Quiet on the set” (or “Lock it down” or “Picture is up”). The 1st AD calls “Quiet on the set” to alert everyone that the take is ready and imminent. “Lock it down” is also a signal (particularly on location) to ensure nothing interrupts the take, crucial for Third Assistant Directors, as this is their primary responsibility during a take.
4) “Turnover.” While some ADs say both “Roll sound” and “Roll camera”, “Turnover” signals both the camera and sound departments to start rolling. The sound department will roll first (sound stock is cheaper than film, so this minimizes the film footage used for the take). After a second or two, the sound recordist will confirm that the recording equipment is running at the correct speed by calling “Speed”. Hearing this, the Clapper-Loader immediately calls out the scene and take numbers so that these details are on the recording. Simultaneously (or within a very few seconds) the Camera Operator or Focus Puller will roll the camera, and immediately the camera is confirmed as running at the correct speed, will call for the Clapper-Loader to “Mark it” (or “Smack it”, “Bang it”, “Tag it”, etc.). This is done by showing the slate (”clapper-board”) on camera, and bringing the clapper down to make a synchronization point for audio (the sound of the clapper) and picture (the two parts of the clapper being seen to come together). With the slate quickly taken out of shot, and the camera refocused or repointed as necessary for the opening framing, the Camera Operator calls “Set” or “Frame” to indicate that all is ready to capture the action.
5) The 1st AD then calls “Action” (possibly preceded by “Background Action” if extras must be in motion before the main action commences), although the Director might perform this function if he/she prefers it.
6) Only the Director says “Cut”.
7) After the Director has called “Cut”, the 1st AD will check whether the Director is happy with the take, and conclude the roll with a direction such as “Going again” or “That’s a take two” if another take is required. If the Director does not want another take, the AD will call “Check the gate” (a signal for the Focus Puller or Camera Assistant to confirm that the camera has not malfunctioned during a take, and that there is no hair or fluff in the aperture (”gate”) where the film is exposed). When the camera has been checked, the call from the Focus Puller or Camera Assistant will be “Clear gate!”. Then, if the scene is complete, the AD may call “Moving on” or “Next scene”. These announcements cue all departments and the ADs on set as to the next steps they must take. For example, “Going again” may require a reset of elements in the frame (extras, cars - anything that moved) back to where they started, which the 3rd AD will oversee.
The above roll sequence can be varied by, for example, eliminating the sound calls and the clapping of the slate if the shot is mute or “MOS” (”MOS” is a universal abbreviation for “Minus Optical Strip”. At other times, for expediency (e.g. if the shot begins with a closeup of a closed door which then opens), the slate may be shown at the end of the take rather than the beginning. In this case, once the sound is rolling, there is an audible announcement of “End board” or “End slate” so that the editing department knows to look for the sync marks at the end of the action. At the conclusion of the action, the Director will still call “Cut”, but the 1st AD (and possibly others) will immediately call “End board!” so that the camera and sound recorder are not turned off before the clapper is clapped. Also, as a visual cue to the editors, the clapper-board will be shown upside down on camera.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assistant_director
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