A Tutorial Paper: Motion-Picture Film — Its Size and Dimensional Characteristics

Metadata

Publisher: SMPTE — White Plains, NY, USA
Doc Type: Journal Article
Content Type: Original Research
Abbreviated Title: J SMPTE
Volume: 74, No. 1, pp. 3–11
Abstract: The dimensions of motion-picture film and the shapes of perforations have followed a logical development over 30 or more years. Traced here is some of this history, so that we can better understand why the American Standards Association recognizes certain standards today. For example, the need for accurate printing processes has led to the introduction of dimensional standards with close tolerances. Improvements in the plastics of which film supports are made, coupled with the use of continuous printers, have led to the introduction of standards which discriminate between products differing only by 0.2% in one dimension, since that small difference is recognized as an important matter in the economical attainment of good quality in printing. Other industry demands have been met over the years: e.g., today's CS perforation (introduced to meet the needs of the CinemaScope development in wide-screen presentation) gives more available area for soundtracks. Also, the 16mm film used today is manufactured slightly narrower than that of earlier years because of improved dimensional stability of the base. Furthermore, the needs of other processes involving films with widths varying from 8mm to 70mm have been recognized in various new standards. It is expected that there will be further changes as the industry develops.
Publication Date: 1965-01-01
DOI: 10.5594/J08310
ISSN: Print: 0361-4573
Link: https://doi.org/10.5594/J08310
Author(s): A. J. MillerDu Art Film Laboratories. Inc., 245 W. 55 St., New York, N.Y. 10019
A. C. RobertsonEastman Kodak Co., Manufacturing Experiments Div., Bldg. 35, Kodak Park, Rochester, N.Y. 14650
Copyright: © 1965 Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers, Inc.

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Trick and process photography EXTERNAL
Pin registration EXTERNAL
International standardization EXTERNAL
Errors of interpretation and clarity in motion-picture standards EXTERNAL
Jour. SMPE EXTERNAL
Modified negative perforation proposed as a single standard for 35mm negative and positive motion-picture film EXTERNAL
Photoelectric method for evaluating steadiness of motion-picture film images EXTERNAL
Alexander F. Victor motion-picture pioneer EXTERNAL
Design considerations of Cinema-Scope film EXTERNAL
Some practical aspects of and recommendations on wide-film standards EXTERNAL
The Waller flexible gunner trainer EXTERNAL
Procedures of registration in process photography EXTERNAL
A note on the early history of the Society and its work on standardization EXTERNAL
Early history of amateur motion-picture film EXTERNAL
Magnetic sound for 8mm projectors EXTERNAL
A new magnetic sound projector EXTERNAL
The use of 35/32mm films for the production of 16mm black-and-white or color prints EXTERNAL
Improved safety motion-picture film support EXTERNAL
History of professional black-and-white motion-picture film EXTERNAL
Titles of standards on film dimensions EXTERNAL
The early history of wide films EXTERNAL
Shrinkage behavior of motion-picture film EXTERNAL
Interpretation of dimensional changes in celllulose estar base motion-picture films EXTERNAL
Proposals for 16mm and 8mm sprocket standards EXTERNAL
Recommendations for 16mm and 8mm sprocket design EXTERNAL
Norman O. Dawn: pioneer worker in special-effect cinematography EXTERNAL
Some special photographic effects used in motion-picture production EXTERNAL
An infrared self-matting process EXTERNAL

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A. J. Miller and A. C. Robertson; A Tutorial Paper: Motion-Picture Film — Its Size and Dimensional Characteristics, Journal of the SMPTE ( Volume: 74, Issue: 1, January 1965); SMPTE, 1965. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/J08310

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A. J. Miller and A. C. Robertson; A Tutorial Paper: Motion-Picture Film — Its Size and Dimensional Characteristics, Journal of the SMPTE ( Volume: 74, Issue: 1, January 1965); SMPTE, 1965. Available at https://doi.org/10.5594/J08310

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<span class="citation">A. J. Miller and A. C. Robertson; <cite>A Tutorial Paper: Motion-Picture Film — Its Size and Dimensional Characteristics</cite>, Journal of the SMPTE ( Volume: 74, Issue: 1, January 1965); SMPTE, 1965. Available at <a href="https://doi.org/10.5594/J08310" target="_blank" rel="noopener">https://doi.org/10.5594/J08310</a></span>

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A. J. Miller and A. C. Robertson; <cite id="bib-10-5594-j08310">A Tutorial Paper: Motion-Picture Film — Its Size and Dimensional Characteristics</cite>, Journal of the SMPTE ( Volume: 74, Issue: 1, January 1965); SMPTE, 1965
<span class="doi">10.5594/J08310</span>
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Referenced By

Telecine Reproduction of Motion-Picture Audio [Active]
SMPTE Standard for Motion-Picture Film (16-mm)—Perforated 2R-3000—Magnetic Striping [Active]
SMPTE ST 237:2003 [Active, Stabilized]