Concerns in Marketplace Over Authenticating Movie Prop Slates & Clapperboards: Update 2

This is another update to the articles published this week which articulated some concerns over the authenticity of slates and clapperboards circulating in the marketplace. In the original article, I speculated that what is merely a black dot on the collector-owned Quantum of Solace clapperboards in the marketplace appeared to be a logo of some sort on those clapperboards photographed on set in the “Bond of Set” book for the film. With the help of members of the Original Prop Community discussion forum, this has now been identified as the logo for ARRI Group, “the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of motion picture camera, digital intermediate and lighting equipment“.

Outstanding questions include the sources of these assets, the quantities/availability of boards from certain films, and the problem in distinguishing between unused post production replicas, surplus slates, crew gifts, and authentic set-used copies.

All related articles can be found via the link below:

Below is an excerpt from the original article in this series, which outlined a number of consistent differences between the confirmed genuine “Bond on Set” clapperboards, as depicted in the book made for Quantum of Solace, and the collector-owned examples as showcased on YourProps.com:

[Original Article Excerpt] Side-By-Side Comparison: Unique Symbol/Logo?

While it is difficult to determine based exclusively on these photos, it appears that the slates seen in the “Bond on Set” book may have a unique symbol or logo etched into them (in the right hand corner of the “TAKE” box). In talking with one of the owners of the collector-owned slates and reviewing those photos, those appear to exhibit a simple black dot. The placement also appears to vary on the collector-owned examples.

Research Update: ARRI Group Logo

In our ongoing discussion on the Original Prop Community discussion forum, a member and industry professional suggested that the “black dot” is indeed a logo – the logo for ARRI Group, “the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of motion picture camera, digital intermediate and lighting equipment“.

Below is the corporate logo:

Below is a scan of one of the photos from “Bond on Set”, with the logo on the clapperboard cropped and blown up and the ARRI Group logo inset

Click for Full Resolution

Below is an animated comparison between the ARRI logo and the scan of the logo as seen in the photo above. This work was done by a friend and fellow collector on the Original Prop Community forum.

David described the work done with the comparison graphic as follows: “I cleaned the scan logo and put the same perspective and resolution in the original”

I have been sent additional photos of collector-owned clapperboards sold as originals from Quantum of Solace; below is an updated compilation (sans the “Second Unit” examples):

Click for Full Resolution

Below are two higher quality, higher resolution photos of two of these collector-owned clapperboards:

Click for Full Resolution

Below are two cropped and blown up images, showing that what is the ARRI Group logo on the clapperboards used on set is merely represented by a solid black dot on these collector-owned clapperboards:

I also found the following excerpt from German Films Quarterly, Issue 2, 2008, pages 6-7:

The ARRI Group is the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor

of motion picture cameras, digital intermediate systems and lighting

equipment. The company, with headquarters in Munich, was founded

over 90 years ago by the filmmakers August Arnold and Robert

Richter, and has continually introduced revolutionary technologies

such as the reflex mirror shutter, the ARRIFLEX 435 camera and the

ARRILASER film recorder. Today, the ARRI Group is one of the key

global players in the business; the company’s 12 scientific and engi –

neering Oscars® for numerous state-of-the-art products attest to this

fact. Innovation, reliability and high quality are the cornerstones of the

company’s philosophy as well as the goals of the product development,

manufacturing and service teams. ARRI is in the unique position

of being manufacturer and end-user at the same time. Its subsidiaries,

such as Rental and Film & TV, get to test the latest technologies under

‘real-life’ conditions and, through an ongoing dialogue with product

development engineers, optimize the technology as well as the workflows.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FOR NATIONAL &

INTERNATIONAL PROJECTS

The ARRI Rental Group provides equipment and services for domes –

tic and international film productions. Major hubs in Munich, New

York and London work with subsidiaries and partners across the

globe to give productions access to a worldwide rental network. With

its state-of-the-art camera, lighting and grip equipment, and its

experienced team, the ARRI Group can assist even the most complex projects

such as feature film productions shooting on tight schedules in

multiple locations. Recently, such productions have included The

Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (director: Andrew Adamson,

production company: Walden Media, locations: Prague, New Zealand);

Green Zone (director: Paul Greengrass, production company:

Working Title Films, locations: Morocco, Spain, England); and last but

not least the new James Bond movie Quantum of Solace (director:

Marc Forster, production company: EON Productions, locations:

England, Chile, Panama, Austria). As well as feature films, the ARRI

Group has a proven track record of successfully servicing major television

series and dramas, as well as top-end commercials for the most

demanding of clients.

Page 6 Archive (full resolution):

Page 7 Archive (full resolution):

ARRI clapperboards are made available for sale via the ARRI Media Camstore:

Further information will be published as it becomes available.

Jason DeBord