Slate Numbers

[robthehand 3]

I have quite a few questions - some of them I think I know the answers to, but I just want to check.

I know when I cue is slated as 1M2, it means reel 1, part 2 (or something like that).

What do the following mean:

-A (example: 1M4A from RotS)

-X (example: 3MX from Diamonds are Forever, or 4M1X from RotS)

WILD (example: the end of On Her Majesty's Secret Service)

?-? (example: "San Monique" from Live and Let Die is slated as 3M6-4M1.)

And how are the numbered - what defines the number they are given?

[Mr. Breathmask 480]

3M6-4M1 probably means the cue spans two reels (being the sixth and last cue on reel 3 and the first on reel 4).

A is probably alternate.

[Damo 0]

I wouldn't have a clue.

[robthehand 3]

A is probably alternate.

Then how do you explain this? (from HP & SS):

6M1a Alt.

?

And you're saying that they would probably have started 3M6-4M1 on reel 3, but finished it on reel 4 because it was too long... right?

[Lurker 5]

"X" designates source music.

Neil

[MSM 85]

I wonder how you got to know those slate numbers? Do you have manuscripts of those scores?

[robthehand 3]

Which ones? The HP ones I got from Film Score Rundowns and the James Bond ones from Film Score Monthly.

And Neil - the 3MX from Diamonds are Forever jsn't really source music is it? I can't remember the cue from RotS, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't either.

[Jim Ware 428]

'X' usually stands for mix. It's often used for either source music or very short cues (like the 3MX sting from Diamonds are Forever.

'A' is sometimes used for alternates, short cues (Jurassic Park, 1M1a), or for 'additional' cues added after the original list of cues and slates is drawn up. It can also be used (along with other letters) to indicate sections of a multi-part cue (Die Hard, cues 8M1A and 8M1B for example).

'R' usually indicates a revision. Sometimes it's 'rev.'

I've also seen cue numbering starting with zero instead of one (Die Hard again, Elfman's Planet of the Apes).

There isn't really much consistency. It's up to the music editor. Don't get me started on Shore's Lord of the Rings slates.

[Jim Ware 428]

6M1a Alt.

It's a short cue (just over a minute, hence the 'a'), and it's an alternate (hence the 'alt.').

In case anyone hasn't seen the list of Philosopher's Stone slates, 6M1a Alt. is on the CD under the title 'A Change of Season'. Williams' original title was Hedwig's Time Transition.

[robthehand 3]

There isn't really much consistency. It's up to the music editor. Don't get me started on Shore's Lord of the Rings slates.

Please? Or PM me if you really don't want to...

[#SnowyVernalSpringsEternal 10,251]

No, feel free to share with the rest of the group....

[robthehand 3]

On the ROTK SEE DVD, there's a shot of the printed music for one of the cues (Shelob's Lair I think) that was labelled something like:

rotk 506 1207

Anyone know what this means?

BTW does anyone know what "WILD" means? I posted it in the first thread but no-one replied for that one...

[Lurker 5]

"WILD" means that the music is not recorded to picture, but however the conductor chooses. It can sometimes be a stinger or overlay, and often source music is recorded this way.

Neil