Sequence of events
when shooting a scene:

These procedures make sure that none of the performance is missed or ruined, and that there is plenty of tape or film at the beginning and end of each take for the editors to work with in post production.
It is important to learn this procedure & to make a habit of following it every time. Get a rhythm going, get a flow, and the crew will work more smoothly and the resulting product will be a much finer creation.

VIDEO

The videotape should be slated before starting the scene, but in video it can be done before rolling tape for the actual scene, since synchronizing with audio is not a concern, as it is in film.

Director:"Quiet on the set."

(In a studio situation the floor director will repeat this loudly in the studio.)

Director:"Roll tape."

VTR operator responds: "Tape is rolling."
Then watches to make sure the VTR is recording. When it is, VTR op says "We have speed."

The Director can then give a countdown: "10, 9, 8, " etc. or simply pauses to be sure at least 3 seconds of tape have been recorded before the scene starts, then says "Action."
(A countdown is necessary for a live show that must start at a certain clock time. "Action" is good for a drama.)

(In the studio, floor director repeats "action" or the countdown, and gives hand cues, but stops speaking at the "2" in the countdown to keep from being picked up by the microphone at the beginning of the shot In a multi-camera shoot the floor director should stand by the active camera, and cue (point) the talent to it.)

At the end of the shot everyone on the set remains quiet, and the talent remains in character until the director/floor director calls "Clear" or "cut".

Then they can scratch or sneeze or giggle or whatever.

FILM

Director:"quiet on the set."
"Roll sound."

Sound recordist replies: "sound speed."

Director:"Roll camera."

Camera operator replies "We have speed" when camera is fully started.

Director:"Slate it." or "Marker"

Continuity director holds slate in front of camera with scene/take number info on it and snaps clapper so sound and film can be synchronized in editing.

Director:"Action."

Talent begins performance after a brief pause to make sure "Action" doesn't get on the start of the scene.

At the end of the shot everyone remains silent and actors stay in character until Director says "cut."

If it is necessary to do another take of the same scene, the Director may say "Back to number one, everybody" indicating that everyone should go to their original position for the beginning of the scene.

If it is only a partial re-take, the director and continuity director may confer with the actors and decide a line from which to start the re-take. This is known as a "pickup", as in "O.K. everybody, we're going to pick up from the line 'Darling, I love you, but I really have to go.'"