Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Threading up a silent film without a soundtrack for reference

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Topic: Threading up a silent film without a soundtrack for reference

Jim Cassedy
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1661
From: San Francisco, CA
Registered: Dec 2006

posted 04-10-2011 09:20 AM

I've run quite a few silent, "full frame" prints. If you
don't have a 'silent' aperture plate the you'll very often
cut off part of the image or the left side of title cards.

On a Century projector, this is no problem, since you can
slide the aperture plate out (towards you) a bit, abd then
use the eccentric knob on the lens carriage to center the
image on the screen. Yes, you'll still be cutting off a
tiny bit on each edge of the image, but it's better than
cutting off the first letter of each line on the title cards.

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Gordon McLeod
Film God

Posts: 9532
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Registered: Jun 99

posted 04-10-2011 11:42 AM

24fps was the adopted by western electric when they did a survey of the actual measured cranking speed of projectors in chicago and the roxy in new york and the average was 24fps so if some were at 18 then some must have been running at 30 [Frown]

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Jack Theakston
Master Film Handler

Posts: 411
From: New York, USA
Registered: Sep 2007

posted 04-11-2011 12:53 AM

The way I see it, if a theater is going to care enough to take a gamble on silent films, they might as well "do it right" and have the proper plates/lenses for when silent-ap prints turn up. For that reason, I understand Sony/Harold Lloyd Estate's decision in printing full-aperture.

Incidentally, I also believe that live music makes the silent film, and while I understand budget and technical handicaps, it's a sad day when silent films are being presented with only tracks.

The silent movie projection speed is a point of debate in some circles—some later silents such as THE GENERAL were shot and run faster than 24fps. Printed evidence supports the fact that printed directions with almost all of the films specify to run the film at projection rates faster than taking rates. This policy continued into the transition period with silents that were shot to be accompanied with music and effects tracks. Watch THE JAZZ SINGER sometime and check out how fast the silent footage plays.

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Andres Briano
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 162
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Registered: Jan 2008

posted 04-11-2011 01:23 PM

quote: Robert Harrison
Well, upon closer inspection, I noticed that, while the prints don't have analog optical soundtracks, they do have Dolby Digital tracks between the sprocket holes.

Robert,
I hope yesterday´s screenings were a success. Is there any chance that you took a picture of the stock (35mm full aperture with SR-D)? I would very much like to see it. If so, please upload.

Thanks,
Andrés

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