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Cryptic markings in soundtrack area


Curt McAloney

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Hi All,

 

Check out the attached pictures. These are film trims from the original Star Trek TV series shot in the mid 60's. Along the left side of the film where the soundtrack would go there are etchings. Anyone out there seen this type of thing before? I think I've figured out what the markings stand for on the top photo, but does anyone know what the bottom is in reference to? Also, who would view this? The editor? The D.P? and for what reason?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

post-3587-1129087833.jpg

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The XX marks on the frames are probably a sync mark made by the film editor to sync up the work print to the 35mm mag soundtrack (of the rushes dialogue track). A similar mark on the mag would enable that shot to be cut back into the film with picture and sound in sync.

 

The work print would be viewed by the DoP to check for image quality (exposure, focus etc), by the director for performance, and then by the editor during the course of editing.

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  • 4 weeks later...
Hi All,

 

Check out the attached pictures. These are film trims from the original Star Trek TV series shot in the mid 60's. Along the left side of the film where the soundtrack would go there are etchings. Anyone out there seen this type of thing before? I think I've figured out what the markings stand for on the top photo, but does anyone know what the bottom is in reference to? Also, who would view this? The editor? The D.P? and for what reason?

 

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

post-3587-1129087833.jpg

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the marks on this workprint are called optical cues. they are used at the optical effects house to mark where an effect starts. these marks help the optical cameraman determine where on the original negative (in the days of cri's) or on the interpositive (to produce an optical dupe) to start shooting. besides an "x" mark, a number may be used, which references to an optical effect number or cut number. negative cutters use a simular method for identifing fades and dissolves. you may see sfo (start fade out) or sdo (start dissolve out). at the end of the effect you may see dfo (dissolve full out) or dfi (dissolve full in).

 

these marks are still used and are scribed into the track area, exept in the case of super 35 elements, at which time a smnall mark may be scribed right by the frame line.

 

optical cues are also used the help optical cameramen assemble a trailer, where many cuts have to be found out of thousands of feet of original negative.

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the marks on this workprint are called optical cues. they are used at the optical effects house to mark where an effect starts. these marks help the optical cameraman determine where on the original negative (in the days of cri's) or on the interpositive (to produce an optical dupe) to start shooting. besides an "x" mark, a number may be used, which references to an optical effect number or cut number. negative cutters use a simular method for identifing fades and dissolves. you may see sfo (start fade out) or sdo (start dissolve out). at the end of the effect you may see dfo (dissolve full out) or dfi (dissolve full in).

 

these marks are still used and are scribed into the track area, exept in the case of super 35 elements, at which time a smnall mark may be scribed right by the frame line.

 

optical cues are also used the help optical cameramen assemble a trailer, where many cuts have to be found out of thousands of feet of original negative.

Thank you!

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