Daniel Wallens Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 There seems to be some confusion about this among resellers. So which is it? Camera/gaffers/cloth or paper? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon Kukla Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 As far as I know, it's 1/2 inch gaffer's tape. But then, I rarely have heard it called spike tape. (Surely 1/2" gaffer is less ambiguous?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Workman Posted September 14, 2006 Share Posted September 14, 2006 I've heard of spiking the actor, so I guess calling it spike tape makes sense. I use gaffers tape, about 5 different colors. To distinguish the actor's marks. They also have reusable sandbag markers. Paper tape would work too, actually anything works. For dolly shots there are a lot of tricks but I've seen regular 2" orange/green tape with the feet written on it. Matt :ph34r: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Brad Grimmett Posted September 14, 2006 Premium Member Share Posted September 14, 2006 I assume by "spike tape" you mean tape used to lay marks for the actors. 1 inch paper tape is the standard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Wallens Posted September 25, 2006 Author Share Posted September 25, 2006 hmm... seems to be some varying opinions here too :D So far i have votes for 1/2" gaffer, 1/2" paper, and 1" paper. Any consensus on the typical standard? (and 1" seems a bit big, no?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jens Harvard Posted September 25, 2006 Share Posted September 25, 2006 does it really matter? just use the most appropriate tape for the surface. Use paper for more fragile surfaces and gaffer on other. use chalk outdoors. I guess both paper and gaffer are standard then :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Brad Grimmett Posted September 25, 2006 Premium Member Share Posted September 25, 2006 Any consensus on the typical standard? (and 1" seems a bit big, no?) 1 inch is easier for everyone to see than 1/2 inch. It really doesn't matter that much though. Use whatever works for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Hayes Posted September 26, 2006 Share Posted September 26, 2006 Paper tape, 1? or ½?, and be sure to ?tab? the ends so you can pull it up easily. Gaffer?s tape is far to adhesive and will pull coatings off of floors. On sensitive floors the AC?s even put the tape on their shirts first to reduce its adhesiveness. AC?s also carry small ?T? shaped sand bags for more flexible marking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Pritzlaff Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 A cheap alternative that I have used is Aluminium roofing T's from homedepot that are taped up for different colors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie Wengenroth Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 The idea of buying tape seems really weird to me. I don't think I've bought tape in a while...usually, various colors and sizes of it just sort of show up in an expendables bag halfway through the job...if you buy 1" tape I would recommend getting the kind with the smaller core so that you can fit it on your tape loop more easily. If you want to really be a rock star AC, you're going to need both cloth and paper tape, in pretty much all available sizes. Don't be afraid to get crazy with the colors. And don't get too attached, because people will "borrow" it from time to time, and chances are you will leave some of it on a job at least once! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timHealy Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 if you want to really be a rock star AC ???? hmmmm? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Salzmann Posted September 27, 2006 Share Posted September 27, 2006 It basically comes down to using something that's visible, not going to mar the location and will stand up to the demands of the situation. Common sense is the order of the day. I've also used very big nails with coloured tape flags when focus marks are required in grassy exteriors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Premium Member Brad Grimmett Posted October 1, 2006 Premium Member Share Posted October 1, 2006 I've also used very big nails with coloured tape flags when focus marks are required in grassy exteriors. I've seen golf tee's used on more than one occasion as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan W Posted October 2, 2006 Share Posted October 2, 2006 I've seen golf tee's used on more than one occasion as well. We used golf tees for marking the center of tires on a vehicles starting point (side opposite the camera) so the car was in almost the exact starting position for each take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David E Elkins Posted November 11, 2006 Share Posted November 11, 2006 There seems to be some confusion about this among resellers. So which is it? Camera/gaffers/cloth or paper? I worked as both a 2nd and 1st in LA for many years on over 150 different productions and here is my opinion. If you are marking actors use 1/2" or 1" paper tape (you may call it spike tape if you wish). The adhesive on the back is not as strong as camera or gaffer tape and this is important when filming in private homes. You don't want to remove the tape only to bring the homeowners floor finish up with it. 1" cloth tape is called Camera Tape. 2" cloth tape is called Gaffer Tape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Wallens Posted November 12, 2006 Author Share Posted November 12, 2006 thanks for the replies all. Seems like it comes down to common sense really (if marking a heavy shag rug, camera tape might be best). David, glad to see you on the board. Welcome! :) DW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now