OPTICAL WORKFLOWThe Essential Reference Guide for Filmmakers

Dailies/Rushes

Two types of dailies are available:

• One-Light Dailies• Timed or Graded Dailies

Printing Methods

Different printing methods are used for different purposes

• Contact Printing - most common• Optical Printing - image size can be changed• Rotary or Continuous Printing - at a constant speed• Intermittent Printing - frame by frame

Printers

Commonly Used Printers

• Rotary Contact Printers - used for release prints• Intermittent Optical Printers - used for blow-ups

Video Dailies

Video Dailies vs. Film Dailies

• Video Dailies preferred for television production• Video Dailies have come the industry standard

• More difficult to evaluate focus on Video Dailies• More difficult to assess exposure on Video Dailies

Opticals

Some shots and effects must be created while the editor is working. Some examples are:

•Transitions, such as fades or wipes•Reverse motion•Composite shots•Titles over picture

Negative Cutting

• Checkerboard cutting is used to conceal splices

Splicing Techniques

Three Common Splicing Techniques:

• Tape Joins• Cement Joins• Heat Weld (Ultrasonic) Splice

Preparation for Printing

• Cut negatives must be prepared for printing • Each scene is individually timed and the cue points are

indentified• Before printing , cut negatives are cleaned to remove

traces of dust or dirt

Answer Print

• Answer Prints are made from the cut negative.

• The print is then timed for color and density.

• The timing for the answer print is used to make the interpositive, also called IP or Master Positive.

 

Master Positive

Duplication

• Several duplicate negatives, or internegatives, are made from the interpositive

• Duplicate negs are made to protect the original and provide insurance against damage

• The final release prints are printed from the duplicate negatives

• The duplicate negative can also be used to create a video master

Duplicate Negative

Check Prints and Release Prints

• Check Prints are made from the duplicate negative; they are used to assess the quality of the bulk release work.

• Release Prints are produced in large numbers at high speeds for theaters around the world.

Release Print

QUESTIONS?