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Author Topic: Opaque Splicing Tape - Why? Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 11-23-2002 12:30 PM                        I fail to understand the purpose of opaque splicing tape in any form. Why does it exist? Are people THAT BAD at projecting that they cannot determine if it is a reel change splice or one of the many splices they have added to the film due to "film breaks"? Are people THAT BLIND when breaking down a print? Is it worth compromising quality for the audience just so it is easier for YOU to break down a print? Also, what is up with that white tape that leaves four dots behind when peeled off? The Landmark theaters out here still use opaque splices (we get prints from them on occasion). And they are union! What the hell?  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 11-23-2002 12:36 PM                     One reason is because some booths are so poorly lit that nobody can see what they are doing. Another reason is sometimes they have to use what the corporate guys drag in, and are left with no other choice.  |  IP: Logged Joe Redifer You need a beating today Posts: 12859 From: Denver, Colorado Registered: May 99 posted 11-23-2002 12:46 PM                        That's not good enough reason for me. Try again!  |  IP: Logged Mike Olpin Chop Chop! Posts: 1852 From: Dallas, TX Registered: Jan 2002 posted 11-23-2002 12:50 PM                     Because it's Cheaper!!!  |  IP: Logged Lionel Fouillen Expert Film Handler Posts: 230 From: Belgium Registered: Nov 2002 posted 11-23-2002 01:11 PM                     I once talked to a projectionist who was using small opaque stickers to maintain the 2 pieces of film in the proper position in the splicer and also to make splices stronger, then he was putting the purpose-built transparent splice above it . Of course it was horribly visible on the screen, and the thickness of it all caused a slight jump of the picture when going through the gate.  |  IP: Logged Gerard S. Cohen Jedi Master Film Handler Posts: 975 From: Forest Hills, NY, USA Registered: Sep 2001 posted 11-23-2002 02:34 PM                     One advantage of opaque tape shows when changing trailers and snipes. If each is connected with a foot or so of black film, the identification of the trailer or snipe can be written on the tape. That way it is easy to locate and update or change a trailer within the pack. I used to computer-print the platter lineup and post it on the console, but the inscription on the splicing tape is foolproof confirmation. It never shows onscreen, since it's applied over black film. I believe a brief black screen between trailers is aesthetically pleasing and helps the viewer keep them separated in memory.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 11-23-2002 05:26 PM                     There are those, like Gerard, that like the black "slug" between snipes...I, personally, can't stand them...too much like a slide show. Now a fade-down to a fade-up looks pleasing to me. But to each their own on this one. As to opague tape, Nope, never saw the need for it. I have been known to "flag" splices with it by cutting off slivers of opague tape before the days of striped tape. Steve  |  IP: Logged Brad Miller Administrator Posts: 17775 From: Plano, TX (36.2 miles NW of Rockwall) Registered: May 99 posted 11-23-2002 05:54 PM                     quote: It never shows onscreen, since it's applied over black film. I believe a brief black screen between trailers is aesthetically pleasing and helps the viewer keep them separated in memory. While I agree with you on having a brief pause of black on the screen so the trailer presenatation doesn't look like tv commercials all slammed together, I must disagree with you on the opaque tape not being visible when placed on black film. The only way it isn't visible is if you are well under proper SMPTE light standards. Even at 8-10 footlamberts the "extra dark" two half-frames are easily seen. Plus with so many people chopping the trailers on an actual green band frameline, this makes the first frame only appear halfway as the splice runs through the projector, which really looks bad. If I can train high school kids how to locate ultrasonic splices with no markings of any sort, then I see no reason why anyone needs anything but clear tape. Gerard, is that opaque tape with the name of the trailer written on the tape thing some kind of New York union policy, or just something that some of the guys follow? There are a couple of theaters in Texas that were trained by a New York union guy (I don't recall his name) and he showed them that exact procedure as well as a slew of "not friendly to film" handling methods. It took me all of 10 minutes to un-learn them of that opaque tape habit and there have been no problems since. Mike, actually I think the yellow/white tape is more expensive than clear.  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 11-23-2002 06:11 PM                     OK, Joe...How about just plain being lazy. Will that excuse work?  |  IP: Logged Frank Angel Film God Posts: 5305 From: Brooklyn NY USA Registered: Dec 1999 posted 11-23-2002 06:19 PM                        Joe, I have always asked that question, and like you, never found an even marginally reasonable answer. Anything you can say about opaque tape being "easier to see" just makes no sense -- easier to see for whom? Might as well go all the way and make all the markings on the equipment in Braille. I try to picture the scenario at the company which was going to make splicing tape. A bunch of R&D guys sitting around thinking of what qualities were needed in a splicing tape for film. Was OPAQUE the first thing that came to mind for these bozos ....or did it come to them after months of brainstorming? Surely these people weren't PROJECTIONISTS, were they? And what about the guys at corporate headquarters....did THEY say, we need to buy splicing tape....let's order 10,000 rolls of YELLOW tape. Do these same corporate wizards say, "Gee, I tore a page in my ledger....can someone get me some YELLOW Scotch tape to mend it?" If opaque tape is so great, how come 3M went out of its way to develop INVISIBLE Scotch tape; their R&D guys didn't come up with the bright idea to go the other way and make yellow or white opaque Scotch tape, did they? No -- because it would be a STUPID idea. And it's even more idiotic for splicing tape. And why would this yellow stuff be any cheaper than clear tape? And NO....almost always opaque tape adds additional a bit more opaque-ocity (yeah, my word) to black film and you STILL see that blotch of the tape when it goes by, even in a blackout. Then there are fools who write on film in the fade-to-black thinking it can't be seen because it is on black film. I CAN be seen, and if they'd look at the screen every a few times during the course of their careers, they would see what their handy work looks like. Can you tell I've had too much cappuccino?  |  IP: Logged John Pytlak Film God Posts: 9987 From: Rochester, NY 14650-1922 Registered: Jan 2000 posted 11-23-2002 07:42 PM                        Simple rule: Splices should NOT be visible to the audience, nor disrupt the sound in any way. That rules out opaque tape.  |  IP: Logged Scott Norwood Film God Posts: 8146 From: Boston, MA. USA (1774.21 miles northeast of Dallas) Registered: Jun 99 posted 11-23-2002 09:08 PM                        The annoying white tape actually does have a real purpose, but not in the booth. It is used by sound editors when splicing mag film and uses stronger adhesive, since mag film can only be taped on one side (the base side). I personally use Neumade clear tape for all booth work and have been very happy with it.  |  IP: Logged Paul G. Thompson The Weenie Man Posts: 4718 From: Mount Vernon WA USA Registered: Nov 2000 posted 11-23-2002 09:50 PM                     I just wish opaque tape (including the Zebra tape) would just ride off in the sunset. Zebra tape will foul the SDDS and SRD tracks just as badly as the opaque tape. John P. is right - it has no business being projected on the screen.  |  IP: Logged Steve Guttag We forgot the crackers Gromit!!! Posts: 12814 From: Annapolis, MD Registered: Dec 1999 posted 11-23-2002 10:20 PM                     Paul, Truth be told...any tape will foul Dolby or SDDS tracks, clear or opaque. With clear tape, the bits are way out of focus plus they are not going to be aligned that well. How well you make the splice will determine how well Dolby or SDDS digital survive the splice, not the clearness of it. A different solution is to use a skinner tape. By not covering the tracks, the digitals track better. There are 8, 16, and 19mm wide tapes in addition to the traditional 24mm wide tapes. Steve  |  IP: Logged Daryl C. W. O'Shea Film God Posts: 3977 From: Midland Ontario Canada (where Panavision & IMAX lenses come from) Registered: Jun 2002 posted 11-23-2002 10:26 PM                        Cinematronix Cinematronix - Booth Supplies If you're looking to be cheap, it looks like clear tape is the cheapest. (8Roll) Neumade Clear $4.50 (8Roll) Neumade Yellow $4.50 (8Roll) Neumade Zebra $6.90 (6Roll) Generic Clear $3.20 (6Roll) Generic White $3.30 (6Roll) Generic Zebra $5.00 In Canadian Dollars.  |  IP: Logged

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