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Author
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Topic: Emulsion pulls off base
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Frank Angel
Film God
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Posts: 5305
From: Brooklyn NY USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 01-10-2005 10:02 AM
I have come across this problem in the past, but never to this extent. The print of THE INNOCENTS, incept code ^ [] ^ which is 1984 -- so it's not exactly a new print, has a condition where the emulsion pulls right off the base like it isn't even attached as you try to remove splicing tape. In other words, it sticks to the splicing tape stronger than to the base. Not only does it come off clean and completely, but it will actually peel emulsion off beyond the splice, so you could easily ruin two or three frames at a time if you treat it like a normal print. What is going on?
Is there any remedy to this condition -- other than never removing splices? It will quickly become a junk print if each time it is spliced for platter or LP a frame or two is lost at each joint.
Can it somehow be treated to reverse this condition? The only alternative that I could think of (if a chemical treatment of some kind is not available) would be to use prepunched splicing tape and apply a length of say 3 or 4 inches at the end and beginning of each reel at the leader joints. This way when doing normal print buildup and breakdown, splicing tape will be applied to the underlying longer lenght of protective tape and not to the emulsion; when a splice is broken and the tape is pulled off, it will be pulled off the protective tape below rather than being pulled directly off the emulsion itself. That should work until someone trys to peel off the protective tape layer and rips off 4 inches of emulsion!
It is a shame too because the film is a good one, THE INNOCENTS, and I can't imagine Criterion has more than one or two prints, which may also exhibit this problem. Once this print is gone, it will be a cold day in hell before anyone strikes a new one.
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William Hooper
Phenomenal Film Handler
Posts: 1879
From: Mobile, AL USA
Registered: Jun 99
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posted 01-11-2005 02:10 AM
It only seems to be an issue with b&w US prints since the 1990s. I don't recall having the problem running foreign b&w prints or rep prints struck earlier than the 90s. So I'd ascribe it to a modern domestic b&w print production/process defect. There was a print of Roman Holiday that was a terror of "please stop, please stop" emulsion peeling, & whoever had it before plainly was struggling to deal with it also. Some areas where the emulsion had detached in the middle of a frame & torn off they'd colored black with a Sharpie or something, then covered/protected the emulsion abscess with a splat of splicing tape - the alternative of cutting frames would have been huge loss, a choppy print, & likely just worsening the emulsion peeling when the film was cut.
It's nightmarish at heads & tails that have been cut & spliced & must be repaired - peeling splices takes the emulsion with it. The best you can do is be very slow & delicate, attack the splice adhesive first by working at the edges with lighter fluid, & only peel starting on the end of the tape *away* from the cut & peel toward the cut. The emulsion will likely start popping off anyway at the cut when you get the tape off, has to be carefully positioned back down on the base as the splice is made, & the splice pretty much then just braces the emulsion on its side as the physical join & strength is made via the tape on the base side. The next time the leaders, tails, & splices are peeled must be cut at a platter house, there'll be more damage & loss.
quote: Frank Angel It is a shame too because the film is a good one, THE INNOCENTS
I know that was one jittery, massively creeped-out audience walking out of your theatre! Good movie, lucky you!
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