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Topic: Black Leader

Andrew McCrea
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 645
From: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 03-23-2001 09:48 PM

Do they make black leader? If I had a theatre, I'd use this because, if it isn't lined right up when you start the show, the audience just sees black, which is normal, but if the lights dim and and the screen lights up with a blank white image, people will notice!

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Andrew McCrea

"I'm Not Bad, I'm Just Drawn That Way!" - Jessica Rabbit

Paul G. Thompson
The Weenie Man

Posts: 4718
From: Mount Vernon WA USA
Registered: Nov 2000

posted 03-23-2001 10:00 PM

Yes, Andrew. Black mylar leader is made.

Usually, it has frame lines so the projectionist can thread up in frame. I prefer the black mylar over the clear stuff.

John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 03-23-2001 10:08 PM

Kodak's subsidiary FPC carries various kinds of film leader:
FPC leader webpage
FPC Frameline Leader

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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 Cell: 716-781-4036 Fax: 716-722-7243
E-Mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Brian Potts
Film Handler

Posts: 59
From: Lexington, North Carolina, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 03-23-2001 11:09 PM

We use black leader for lens changes. Usually about 2-3 feet. This keeps the next trailer from coming on before the lens change is complete.

Darryl Spicer
Film God

Posts: 3250
From: Lexington, KY, USA
Registered: Dec 2000

posted 03-24-2001 12:21 AM

I use black leader along with clear. I splice about a 8 foot section of black before the first trailer. Everyone is trained to thread on the clear so it is easier for them to frame.

Brad Miller
Administrator

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

posted 03-24-2001 01:47 AM

The black mylar that is on the market is crap in my opinion...all of it. Instead, get some magnetic fullcoat. It is impossible to scratch and if it is on polyester base, will last years and years without a need for replacement. Of course this does require someone with a few brain cells to use, as there are no frame lines.

Gordon McLeod
Film God

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

posted 03-24-2001 02:52 PM

Becarefull when useing Mag Stock it can react in wierd fashions when it it gets hit with the blast of heat in the gate

Ben Wales
Jedi Master Film Handler

Posts: 602
From: Southampton. England
Registered: Jul 99

posted 03-24-2001 05:47 PM

There is also on the market Black on white(white on one side) mylar spacing, it's very hard wearing over the usual black spacing.

Steve Guttag
We forgot the crackers Gromit!!!

Posts: 12814
From: Annapolis, MD
Registered: Dec 1999

posted 03-24-2001 06:53 PM

I dunno...NTAV has their solid black mylar...the frame lines are applied to solid leader so there isn't any place for the light to get through. They only have the lines on one side though (and a soundtrack representation).

Steve

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"Old projectionists never die, they just changeover!"

Brad Miller
Administrator

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

posted 03-24-2001 11:43 PM

Gordon, I've been using fullcoat for awhile now as black leader. Before I always used Neumade Fiesta leader, but that is on acetate stock and is extremely fragile. I haven't even seen a trace of embossing with xenons of 4500 watts that would have caused the generic NTAV-type of leader to be pretty much worn out. Joe has been using it longer than I have and I believe he was running the same stretches of black leader for 3 years straight without any noticeable wear.

John Pytlak
Film God

Posts: 9987
From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922
Registered: Jan 2000

posted 03-25-2001 06:37 AM

Kodak's subsidiary FPC also carries magnetic sound recording film:
FPC Listing of Magnetic Fullcoat Film
FPC Price List

I assume Brad and Joe are using the 5-mil (0.005-inch thick base) 35mm full-coat material. I haven't heard of it being used as opaque leader before, and it would not have framelines. Some people use it for the mild abrasive properties -- the oxide coating will burnish any surfaces it rubs against (e.g., polishing the metal surfaces of a projector gate).

Brad Miller
Administrator

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

posted 03-25-2001 12:35 PM

That 5-mil guess is exactly correct and yes it is even the FPC brand fullcoat too.

Of course it is much cheaper to get "used/erased" fullcoat that has been ran a few times. Both of us use it at the end of each leader for a stretch of 10 feet before the first trailer and then 5 feet at the head of the policy and tail of the sound logo. This prevents extra splicing and handling since these two trailers never are taken apart and protects the "trailer pack" when left on a center ring after a breakdown. Lights and sound cues are also put on this fullcoat so they never display on screen and do not require replacement from show to show.

On the lack of frame lines, I would think the film handlers here are better than having to use that crutch. Put it through a frame counter, cut it once and then so long as the splices are torn apart by hand (don't use that splicer cutter blade or scissors), the ends will have a half a piece of splicing tape denoting that it is cut "in frame". Simply peel the tape off when it comes time to reuse it, or just chop 4 perforations off for those in a hurry. Either way, framelines are not necessary once the original cut is made.

Eat a big bucket of fried chicken when you handle the fullcoat. Use it as streamers on a newly married car so that the strips are dragged around the ground for about 100 miles. It just about doesn't matter how poorly this leader is treated. It will take one hell of a beating before it starts to show any wear whatsoever.

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