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PROJECTION

The success or failure of any finished film lies in the viewing. Once a print is made, the final responsibility for the quality of the screen image rests with the projection equipment and the people who handle the print. This section covers the steps in inspecting a newly received print for flaws, the most common causes of film damage and abrasion, techniques for lubricating new prints, and techniques for cleaning film.

Handling and Inspection of Motion-Picture Prints
It is important to establish that the print meets your standards. When you receive a print, inspect it, following the recommendations below:

Common Causes of Abrasion and Wear
To promote long life for your print, you should be alert to the causes of damage that can occur during projection. The five most common causes are discussed below:

Excessive Tension. Too much tension in the film projection transport system usually results in objectionable projection noise and in perforation damage. If the film was properly lubricated at the laboratory, the source of the tension can be in the gate or at the feed and holdback sprockets.

Misalignment of Film in the Projector. This problem can cause damage at the corners of the perforations and lead to splitting and breaking at the perforation edge.

Creased Edges. Film edges can become creased if:

Run-Offs and Roping. This type of damage, often reported as sprocket marked, is caused when the film partially leaves the sprocket and rides over the sprocket teeth while under tension.

Abrasions and Dirt. Primarily caused by careless handling, improper threading, and poorly maintained equipment this kind of film damage is readily seen by the viewer. If you can answer yes to the following questions, you are well on your way to minimizing the problems of dirt and abrasion.

Cleaning Motion-Picture Prints
Clean and lubricate prints by drawing them between soft lintless cloths moistened with a preparation such as KODAK Movie Film Cleaner (with Lubricant). If a film is unsteady and noisy during the first projection, it may not have been lubricated at the processing laboratory. In this case, the film should be lubricated, not only to reduce noise but also to minimize film damage.

Cleaning cloths of the following types are usually satisfactory: a good grade of Canton flannel, a short- or medium-pile rayon or nylon plush, or a soft cotton batiste. These should be white, undyed, and free of fabric fillers and additives for stiffening. If in doubt the cloths should be laundered before use.

Place the film to be cleaned is placed on a rewind and thread the ladder stripe onto a take-up reel. As you rewind the film, draw it between two cloths moistened with the cleaner and lubricant. Constant light pressure provides continual contact between the film surface and the cloth. Do this slowly enough to permit the cleaner to evaporate completely before the film reaches the take-up reel.

Frequent moistening of the cloths is recommended because the solvent evaporates rapidly.* To avoid scratching the film with accumulated dirt particles, refold the cloths often so that only clean areas will be in contact with the film. If streaks are noticed on the film after lubrication, you can remove them by buffing with a soft cloth before projection.

Cleaning and lubrication should be accomplished with continuous, smooth rewinding of the whole reel. When you must stop to refold the cloth and apply more cleaner, back up the film about 1 foot (30.5 cm) before resuming the cleaning operation.



*Kodak Movie Film Cleaner (with Lubricant) does not contain carbon tetrachloride. Even so, you should use the cleaner with adequate ventilation. Forced-air ventilation should be provided. No matter what type of cleaner you are using, follow the instructions on the container.




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