Spike Tape

Daniel Wallens · September 14, 2006

There seems to be some confusion about this among resellers. So which is it? Camera/gaffers/cloth or paper?

Jon Kukla · 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?)

Matt Workman · 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:

Brad Grimmett · 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.

Daniel Wallens · 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?)

Jens Harvard · 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 :)

Brad Grimmett · 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.

Bob Hayes · 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.

Chris Pritzlaff · September 27, 2006

A cheap alternative that I have used is Aluminium roofing T's from homedepot that are taped up for different colors.

Annie Wengenroth · 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!

timHealy · September 27, 2006

if you want to really be a rock star AC

???? hmmmm?

Dan Salzmann · 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.

Brad Grimmett · 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.

Ryan W · 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.

David E Elkins · 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.