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Topic: Rank the various brands of splicing tape

Jon Miller
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 973
From: San Diego, CA, USA
Registered: Sep 1999

posted 09-22-2008 08:26 PM

quote: Joe Redifer

So why do you guys use marked tape for reel splices? Are you incompetent?

No...if I used clear tape to splice reels together, my festival projectionist colleagues would want my head on a platter (the restaurant kind, not AW-3s). Yes, I use Neumade Zebra, positioning the clear section across the frame so only the edges are marked and scope prints aren't defiled.

Opaque yellow splicing tape has only one practical use...for splicer alignment. Other than that, it's the spawn of the devil. [evil]

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Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 09-22-2008 08:39 PM

...but I did a trick with shoepolish and that was to lay the stuff on the emulsion side only so it wouldn't flake off after age..

But agree: I do the clear splicing and use Edgemark tape (about an inch is all) so the other booth clowns can, at least, see the splices if they have to do the breakdowns. But, if I was sole projectionist in my operation, I could do without any form of film markings as what Joe's main reasoning is.

On the topic of cue tape (and not that "Opti-cue" stuff): It's just been one of those factors when dealing with adhesive aluminum, that the metal of the strip will always start cracking and breaking apart no matter how the tape is applied to the film.

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Marco Giustini
Film God

Posts: 2713
From: Reading, UK
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 09-22-2008 08:52 PM

quote: Joe Redifer
So why do you guys use marked tape for reel splices? Are you incompetent?

Yes, we're incompetent [Smile]

Well, Our company still uses opaque yellow splice tape, I'm the only one that is using marked splice tape.
Since it does not have any effect on picture nor on sound, it just help us to better track reel splices.
Please note that you cannot see the red splices from the top of the platter, so you have to search and feel them by hand the same. The red splice just help us to better track the reel splices.

Opaque tape was a no-no, I agree. I'm using marked one just because it does not affect sound and picture in any kind and we don't have SDDS [Smile]

Ciao
Marco

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Joe Redifer
You need a beating today

Posts: 12859
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: May 99

posted 09-22-2008 09:47 PM

Jon, your festival projectionist colleagues are incompetent and worthless. You can tell them I said that! Just use a piece of masking tape to mark how full the reel is on the inside of the reel itself during build-up. Striped tape and/or ID frames are not necessary. When I started working at my current theater I just started building films this way. There was only one other booth person who knew how to break down. After a week or two even his incompetent ass was able to handle it. Still, I break everything down myself. I actually enjoy breaking down prints. It's so quick and easy.

quote: Marco Giustini
Yes, we're incompetent

Until your mad skillz are demonstrated, I am forced to agree.

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Charles Greenlee
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 801
From: Savannah, Ga, U.S.
Registered: Jun 2006

posted 09-22-2008 10:10 PM

I feel for splices. That's my primary detector. But I do prefer the Zebra because it adds a double check. As said before, if you're doing it right, only the clear is over the image, and there is no on screen sign of it. Really it only tells you that you missed it, because, by the time you see it, you've passed it. That and visible splices makes it easier for the "less skilled" people. We really must've hired from the center for the special needs.

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Brad Miller
Administrator

Posts: 17775
From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall)
Registered: May 99

posted 09-22-2008 11:40 PM

Any of you "tape with marks" dorks want to break down one my prints built with ultrasonic splices? [evil]

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Joe Redifer
You need a beating today

Posts: 12859
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: May 99

posted 09-23-2008 12:10 AM

Brad, do you ever hear back from any of the theaters that get prints from you on 7Ks?

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Mike Blakesley
Film God

Posts: 12767
From: Forsyth, Montana
Registered: Jun 99

posted 09-23-2008 12:12 AM

We've used Neumade clear tape ever since we got the tape splicer (around 1977, I think.) I've tried a few others over the years, usually as a result of picking up samples at conventions -- have never found a reason to switch.

We occasionally get prints on 6000' reels from neighboring theatres, both of which use that crappy yellow stuff. I have to go thru and remake the splices and they can't understand why clear is better.

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Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 09-23-2008 01:59 AM

quote: Mike Blakesley
and they can't understand why clear is better.

cuz it's called "work" to hunt for splices on breakdown since they only have one thing in mind that time of night and that is "to get the hell outta there!" - the simple and only reason along being the easiest method of putting a film together.

Also, in the actual truth in the matter, it's simply how they've been all trained using easier materials as with white/yellow tapes.

I remember, in the mid 70's to early 80's that a lot of circuits would only issue opaque tape to their theatres since the procedure of shoepolish was gradually abolished and zebra tape wasn't invented yet. Thus, I do believe that this availability of the opaque tape spread quickly to suppliers pushing the simplicity of using this tape compared to the clear tape along with no means of marking the edge of the print.

With the evolution of the floor staff operator/usher booth individual that training these persons on the complexity of film marking with clear tape was soon apparent that a lot couldn't grasp on the concept too well. Thus, the opaque tape was tons easier to perform the job needed with this level of personnel.

I know lots around here that uses opaque splices and when I mention doing clear splices, it's either a taboo word to use, or of the latter description above - to keep things simple.

One theatre owner got pretty ticked with me with my suggestion on using clear splices..and I back off immediately.

..and they wonder why their SRD prints pops on every opaque splice..and do you think they listen to my reasoning to use clear splices?

..I just walk away....

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Joe Redifer
You need a beating today

Posts: 12859
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: May 99

posted 09-23-2008 02:08 AM

Hunting? There isn't any hunting for splices.

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Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 09-23-2008 02:10 AM

lol...guess again when one is barely trained on film make and break ... even with using edgemark tape...

I try to show them how to make it easier for them in not to hunt, but no avail - they're stuck with their own system..

...I walk away ...

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Justin Hamaker
Film God

Posts: 2253
From: Lakeport, CA USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 09-23-2008 02:57 AM

I use the yellow zebra splicing tape - I have no idea who makes it. We reorder the same thing from our supplier every time so I've never worried about the details.

I prefer the yellow zebra for several reasons.

• As someone else mentioned, it helps differentiate between a reel change and a mid-reel splice. I remove all lab glue splices and re-splice with clear tape.

• The zebra tape is much better than the alternative of solid yellow or solid white that I've seen used.

• While anyone with experience should be able to find a splice without much difficulty, why not make it a little easier when possible. Especially given that most break-down takes place in a dimly lit booth and platter work lights don't usually help much.

Really the only reason I can see for not using the yellow zebra tape is if you use SDDS sound. Absent that, the yellow stripes don't interfere with the soundtrack when properly placed.

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Joe Redifer
You need a beating today

Posts: 12859
From: Denver, Colorado
Registered: May 99

posted 09-23-2008 03:14 AM

quote: Justin Hitmaker
I prefer the yellow zebra for several reasons.

• As someone else mentioned, it helps differentiate between a reel change and a mid-reel splice. I remove all lab glue splices and re-splice with clear tape.

That's why you mark how full the reel is during build-up. Also, I doubt the two adjoining frames of a reel change are similar to the point of being nearly exactly the same.

quote: Justin
• The zebra tape is much better than the alternative of solid yellow or solid white that I've seen used.

And clear is an even better alternative, especially since it leaves less goo behind when peeled off in my experience.

quote: Justin
• While anyone with experience should be able to find a splice without much difficulty, why not make it a little easier when possible. Especially given that most break-down takes place in a dimly lit booth and platter work lights don't usually help much.

It really wouldn't make it any easier unless you are poorly trained. I don't even tell my trainees about zebra tape except that theaters with no booth skill use it so we may get a print with that type of tape applied. But we haven't had a print that wasn't new in a loooong time, fortunately.

I laugh at people who need to use zebra tape. Try it without and you'll be surprised how easy breakdown is.

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Justin Hamaker
Film God

Posts: 2253
From: Lakeport, CA USA
Registered: Jan 2004

posted 09-23-2008 07:06 AM

I'm so happy that you don't feel the need to use zebra tape. But I don't see any reason not to use it, so I'll continue to do so.

The simple fact is I've been using yellow zebra tape for reel splices and clear for mid-reel splices for over 10 years. Having watched hundreds of the prints where these were both used, I have never been able to discern a difference in picture or sound as a result of using the clear or the zebra. I have never noticed an issue related the the strength of the splice or the life. I've never noticed that one holds up better with Film-Guard. And I've never noticed that one sticks better to a previously Film-Guarded print (and I just built one of those a few days ago). And I have never notices that one is more or less easy to peel off of film.

In more than 10 years of building up movies, over hundreds of prints (probably over 1000 prints), I have never seen any reason that would suggest clear tape is any better than yellow zebra tape. Therefore I will continue using zebra tape and training people to use zebra tape.

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Blaine Young
Master Film Handler

Posts: 477
From: Kirkland, WA, USA
Registered: Sep 2006

posted 09-23-2008 11:29 AM

We've been using Jack Roe for some time. I'm a fan of overlap splices, and find that Jack Roe will only hold the splice for a couple of months of wear before the joint tears. Never had that problem with Neumade tape.

On the idea of zebra tape, there is some stuff we've purchased only once that is clear and opaque in alternating sections. It is the gummiest crap I've ever spliced with - and is murder to remove even after 1 week.

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