Preparing Film

Syncing

• In order to screen your film, you must use sync marks
  • Sync marks are usually a singular "X" on the head (beginning) of each roll in sharpie
•  There must be an X on the head of your Picture film and each Magnetic Sound track you have.
  • If there is more than one X on a roll, the projectionist will not be able to determine where the starting point is
    • This is like telling Premiere or another software that a clip can start on two different frames; it won't make sense and there's no way for it to accurately play
• Leave about 5 feet of leader in front of the sync mark.
  • If there are only a few frames at the head of the film before the sync mark, the projectionist will not be able to thread the film through the projector properly
  • 5-10 feet of leader at the head (beginning) of the film before the X sync mark is good for the projectionist to thread
• DO NOT PUT SYNC MARKS ON YOUR 2-POP
  
  • The 2-pop (or 2-beep / sync-pop) is not the beginning of your film.
  • The X sync mark must come before the academy leader count down so that when your film plays, you will hear the 2-pop as you see the 2 frame.
    • If you don't include sync marks or if you put them on the 2-pop, the projectionist will use that as the start frame, and you will not see the countdown play
• Ensure that your 2-pop is on each mag track
• If 2-pop is not making a sound when you play it, check:
  • The audio levels on the Steenbeck
  • The orientation of the 2-pop
    • Should be horizontal
    • If you can't tell, rotate it 90 degrees and try again)
  • The placement of the 2-pop
    • Should be on the top back of the mag tape
    • The audio plays on the side of the tape that runs across the magnet. The sound waves are printed opposite from the sprocket holes

Film Wind / Label

• Make sure your film is all wound correctly on a core with the head (beginning) out, and film off to the right (shaped like a 9) when sprocket holes are facing you
• Film should be emulsion side up
• Ensure that you have 5-10 feet of leader on the head and tail of each roll of film and mag
• Make sure your full name, email, and professor's name is written on the OUTSIDE of your leader in sharpie on every roll.
  • It is very helpful if you write "Picture" and "Sound" on each track accordingly
  • If you want to distinguish your tracks as Track 1 & Track 2 for live mixing, we will thread them in that same order

Screening

Dropping off Film

• The sync sound screening will take place in Ansin 804 (Mix A)
• At the beginning of the class period (or a few minutes before), you will drop off your film to the DFL/post-production staff member in the projection booth of Mix A
• Ensure that your film is synced and labeled properly
  • If you know of any quirks/inconsistencies with your sync marks or 2-pop, please let the staff member know
• If you have direct animation on your film, please inform the staff member!
• Note: No food or drink allowed in Mix A
  • Please keep beverages in the hallway

During Screening

• The projectionist will announce each filmmaker's name and the number tracks their sound is on (1-6) before playing each film
  • Depending on your professor's preference, you may live mix your own tracks
  • The tracks will adjust with the level board at the desktop station in Mix A
    • The track numbers are in consecutive order from left to right
  • The audio plays through ProTools and out to our stereo speaker system
    • Do not click out of the ProTools application, especially during a screening, or it could mess up the playback
    • Do not change the settings on any hardware or software other than adjusting the levels
    • The orange knob adjusts the master volume 
    • Note: students have requested surround sound audio in the past, and this is possible if you are to let us know about it in advance so that we have the proper set up. Your film will likely screen last if you choose to do so, and you will not be able to properly test the audio on the Steenbeck. It would be best to reserve Mix A and coordinate time for a test run with a post-production manager if you want to check your audio playback before screening
• If you notice your film is out of sync or out of focus and it is not a syncing or focus issue that is innate to your film, please knock on the door of the projection booth and the projectionist will fix the issue and play the film again.
• If the projectionist has any questions about sync marks or anything related to your film, they may request you to go to the booth for clarification

After Screening

• Please take your film as you leave
• If you'd like to have the film (picture or audio) digitized, please bring it to the DFL in Ansin 606
• Congrats on a successful screening!