This is topic Clear frame lines in forum Film Handlers' Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.
To visit this topic, use this URL:
https://ft-forum.com/ft/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=001388
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-05-2000, 01:03 PM:
There was a mention in the trailer attachments forum about a 1.85 film with clear framelines. What is everyone's take on this? Personally, so long as there is a little bit of black right at the masked edges (for overspill from an aperture), I'm all for this! It would force some of these less-than-perfect theaters to actually check their framing. 
Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 09-05-2000, 01:24 PM:
I see Brad's point about "forcing" proper framing by having clear framelines. As I noted in the other thread, clear framelines are produced when an optical printer is used to print from a negative or duplicate negative. It is normally considered "bad practice" for a release print to have any sections with clear framelines, in case the print is misframed. Opaque (black) framelines are normally preferred.------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Eastman Kodak Company
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7419
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: 716-477-5325 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Posted by Scott Norwood (Member # 30) on 09-05-2000, 03:17 PM:
I'm with John on this one...clear framelines would wreck havoc in a theatre with a screen that is just slightly the wrong ratio (like a 1.66 or 1.75 screen and plate being used to show a 1.85 film). There are still a good number of theatres that converted to CinemaScope early on (before 1.85 was standardized for "American widescreen" formats) which have oddball ratios like 1.75. Also, this would cause problems if one wanted to run a 1.85 trailer before a 1.66 feature...
Posted by Brad Miller (Member # 2) on 09-05-2000, 03:44 PM:
Good point Scott, but hey, it would FORCE the theaters to set up their lenses and masking properly.
Posted by Leo Enticknap (Member # 534) on 09-05-2000, 05:08 PM:
Clear framelines also have the following advantages. Firstly, it makes it easier to see what ratio the matte actually is (although in my experience, almost all release prints with clear frame lines are optically printed because they are super 16 to 35mm 'blow jobs', ergo the ratio is 1:1.75). Secondly, it makes the frame line easier to see in a poorly lit projection box, and so minimises the risk of the film being cut out of rack.