Home Movies (1946)

HOME MOVIES FOR OCTOBER 613 FILM -IJI UTERIiTIVE... Some Pointers On Measuring, Spooling And Using Bulk Film, Positive Or Panchromatic H U to thread it into the slot of the camera spool — nor to measure it to the desired length. The pictures on the right show the equipment I use for this task — equipment which is easy for other bulk film users to duplicate. Adjoining my splicer, which is set up on a table between my rewinds, is a gadget for measuring film that registers the footage audibly as well as visually. Details for construction of this device will be given later. It also has the added feature of a film cleaning device, useful, of course, on all but raw film stock. With the projection reel, containing the raw film, on one rewind spindle, a camera spool is mounted on the other and end of the film threaded into it. This is a ticklish job, finding that elusive slot, but it can be made easier if end of film is clipped at either corner. If the bulk film is positive, a red safelight can be used near the spool to furnish illumination while the film is being inserted in the slot. To measure off the required amount of film, it is threaded into the counting device. As the film passes through it, an audible click is heard each time one foot of film is wound upon the camera spool. Counting the clicks, I know when to clip the film as the camera spool is wound to capacity. The next important step is to attach an opaque leader about 5 feet in length to the spool of film so that it may be threaded into the camera in daylight. This is virtually impossible to do in darkness. The alternative, I found, was to obtain one of the old fashioned film cans that Eastman Kodak used to furnish with cine film years ago. This metal container, finished a dull black, has a slit on the side of both units. Originally, it was intended as an aid in loading film in camera in dayUght. The spool of film, encased in one side of the protective container, would be inserted over the supply spindle of the camera. A length of film required for threading would be drawn through the slot at the side, and when threading operations were completed, the container would be removed and camera door closed. Such a device now can aid the bulk film loader. In the darkness, simply M place the spool of new film inside the container with a short length protruding through the slot, and apply the cover. The darkroom light may then be switched on and the splicing operation completed. This is shown in the top photo. The short length of raw film protruding through the safety container is mounted in the splicer and the emulsion scraped in the usual way. Cement is applied and the length of opaque stock on the right joined in a durable splice. Before the film is removed from the container, the spool is rotated to wind the length of leader upon the spool. I find it a good policy to attach a leader at both the beginning and the end of each spool of film. Where an end leader is to be used, the system of using the safety container must be used twice — one to place the leader on one end and again to splice the leader on the opposite end which then becomes the lead end. In using this system, too, it is possible to place identification on the two leaders so that later it will be possible to look at a spool of film and tell whether it is the beginning or the end — in other words, whether it has been exposed or not, especially helpful for double 8mm. film users. I cut a V notch in the end leader and shape end of the beginning leader to a point. There is one other precaution to observe in loading the camera spool. The film must be wound with the emulsion side in towards the center core. The proper side can be determined in the darkness by feeling with the finger tip. The celluloid side feels glossy and highly polished, whereas the emulsion side has a dull matte finish. So that the film will unroll properly in the camera the square hole of the spool must be towards you. Then with the emulsion side down thread the film over the top of the reel and wind the spool (not the handle of the rewind) clockwise. Another minor point but still a worthwhile practice is to keep the opaque leaders wound in small coils when not in use. The leader assumes a natural curl of the small coil so that it tends to hug the unexposed roll of film more tightly when on the 100 foot reel. This provides a little extra insur• Continued on Page 6tS • After the bulk film is transferred to the camera spooled, it should be protected by a five, foot length of opaque leader. Shown here is method of splicing leader, using light proof container for spool of film. • As the bulK fnm musr ce spooled in tne dark, a means for measuring the film must be provided. Here is author's home made gadget which affords both visual and audible foottage counter. • Closeup of footage counter. Gears in back of panel couple film sprockets with the veeder footage counter. Also in back li a gadget that provides an audible click •aeh time a foot of film It wound on eamara spool.