If the slate was not marked at the beginning of the take, what is it referred to in production?

In film production, when the slate is not marked at the beginning of the take, it is referred to as a tail slate. This typically occurs when a scene cannot be marked before it begins, often due to factors such as camera placement or the nature of the shot. By marking the slate at the end of the take rather than the beginning, it allows the sound and picture to sync during post-production.

Using a tail slate ensures that the audio and visual components are still properly synchronized despite the late marking. It's important for post-production teams to establish clear communication about which type of slate was used during filming to facilitate an efficient editing process. Understanding the differences among slates, such as head slate, tail slate, and others, helps filmmakers effectively manage their footage and maintain organizational clarity.