Another sign civilization is crumbling
Steve Kraus
sure sign civilization doesn't have much longer.
Found this notice in a film can. Note that the same can be better
accomplished by making single sided conventional splices with quality
tape. You don't think they're going go buy artist tape at $5-8 a roll.
This just codifies hanging leaders on willy nilly with masking tape.
----
ATTENTION PROJECTIONIST
Leaders are attached to the body of this print with *temporary* artist
tape splices. They must be removed and respliced.
-> These temporary splices WILL NOT run through a projector <-
For 2000ft/changeover operation, the white artist's tape MUST BE REMOVED
and standard splices made at the joins in the usual manner.
For platter and 6000ft long-play reel operation remove the white artist
tape and leaders from the 2000 ft reels and splice the body of the print
together in the normal way.
This method of attaching leaders to the body of the print preserves the
integrity of the film by eliminating unnecessary splicing and resplicing
at the leader joints. The print is shipped on 2000 reels but almost all
engagements now mount prints on platters or on long-play reels.
Continued splicing at leader joins risks ruining multiple frames at the
beginning and end of each reel. Attaching leaders with white artist's
tape--without making full splices when breaking down the print--helps
extend the length of time that the print will remain in a pristine
condition.
You can help extend print life by *not* making full splices at
break-down but instead, attaching leaders at the joints by this
temporary method. Even when making temporary splices, they must be made
on a splicing block. NEVER simply attach leaders to the body by
overlapping the ends of the leader and print. And make sure you use
only white artist's tape--its adhesive is non-acidic and will not
harden. NEVER USE MASKING TAPE; its adhesive hardens and inevitably
will damage emulsion. If you do not have artist's tape, then an
alternative method of attaching leaders for 2000ft reel ship-out
configuration is to use regular splicing tape LENGTHWISE across the
joint. Be sure to leave a small flap of tape turned under itself so
that the tape can be easily peeled for the next build up for platter or
long-play operation.
If the print arrives with leaders attached with normal splices, PLEASE
make your cuts on the SAME frameline of the existing splice -- DO NOT
make additional cuts on new framelines.
Future movie-lovers thank you.