Identification
and Record Keeping
The latent image on the exposed film represents
the culmination of all the production efforts and
must be handled with care. Packaging of the valuable
material, the method of delivery or shipment and
the written instructions to the lab are very important.
Exposed film should be place
in the black bag that the manufacturer provides
and in the same container from which it was removed.
If the same container is not available, make certain
that the proper raw stock identification is on
the container used. If there is a different identification,
cover it with tape and re-identify the stock that
is enclosed. When the film has been placed in
the bag and can, tape the can securely around
the edge where the top and bottom of the can overlap,
and clearly mark "EXPOSED".
Identify each can by roll number,
so that when the film is returned to you, each
roll can be checked off. The individual rolls
will be joined by the laboratory into larger rolls
and each individual roll will have your roll number
on its leaders. Some producers shoot the roll
number on the slate at the head of each roll.
Since the processed film may
not be returned in the same container in which
it was shipped, you can use the leader roll numbers,
your camera log of the first scene and take on
each roll, or individual roll. topˆ
Protection
of Film in Transit
Film is a perishable item and must be protected
from radiation, excessive changes in temperature
and humidity as well as exposure to light. Production
at a studio or location near the processing laboratory
usually presents no transit problems, but shipping
film from distant locations requires additional
precautions. Air shipment as freight or baggage
can be hazardous. High temperature occurring when
packages are left unprotected for long periods
of time awaiting loading for shipment can cause
fog or changes in speed and/or contrast. When
film is shipped in the same compartment as radioactive
substances used for medical or industrial purposes,
radiation can cause local or overall fog. Inspection
by airport personnel using high exposure X-ray
equipment can cause fog or a change in film speed,
color balance, unprocessed film transported as
carry-on luggage will be protected from the potential
transport problems listed above. If, however,
the film must be shipped as freight, it should
be labeled on all sides with the warning:
UNDEVELOPED FILM, OPEN ONLY
IN TOTAL DARKNESS. PROTECT FROM X-RAYS, HEAT AND
ALL RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS.
If international shipment is
involved, the warning should be repeated in several
different languages. topˆ
Airport
X-ray Inspection
In 1973, the National Association of Photographic
Manufacturers published a recommendation to airline
security personnel, scanning equipment manufacturers
and concerned government agencies, that the upper
limit for X-ray exposure of a package or item
of luggage be one milliroentgen. This recommendation
was based on the assumption that sensitivity of
film available at that time produced a maximum
of 0.01 density units per milloroentgen. This
recommendation was accepted in the United States
by the Federal Aviation Administration and incorporated
in their regulations for security for screening
operation at all airports in their jurisdiction.
X-ray exposure is cumulative on film. If film
is subjected to multiple exposures in transit
film will integrate all exposure to which it is
subjected. The accumulated total may be sufficient
to produce damaging effects. topˆ
Camera
Reports
The camera log submitted to the laboratory with
each roll of film to be processed will vary in
format which each production company. In addition
to the production number and the scene and take
numbers, these logs contain the name of the company,
the director, the cinematographer and a record
of the day’s photography. They also contain
instructions to the laboratory regarding the scene
and take number to be printed, the length of the
scene and if the scene is to be day or night,
exterior or interior. In addition to this information
they should contain emulsion type, roll and strip
number and camera and magazine number. If a problem
occurs in a day’s production, this information
can be very useful in locating its source. For
example, a scratch might be traced to a particular
camera or magazine or batch of film enabling the
production company to quickly sort out the offending
item and replace it before additional production
time is lost. topˆ
Written
Instructions to the Laboratory
Written instructions covering the work to be done
should accompany each shipment of film to the
laboratory. These instructions should include:
- Customer’s name, address, and phone
number
- Job title and number, and purchase order
number
- The number of rolls, roll numbers, length
and type of film
- Instructions for operations to be performed
- Complete shipping instructions, including
destination, carrier and insurance requirements
- The disposition of original material: hold
or return?
Here is a sample of how your
order may be written:
| To: |
ACVL Laboratory |
| |
Address |
| From: |
Blank Productions |
| |
Address and phone number |
| Job title and
number |
| With this order: |
10-100’
rolls color negative type_____
(Rolls 1-10)
Please process and make one light dailies.
Print through latent image
edge numbers.
Return dailies on cores
via (carrier).
Hold original.
Insure for $_____________.
Contact:
John Doe |
This is, of course, just one
example covering original processing and dailies.
Your instructions could be different and cover
different services. The important point is to
make your instructions clear, understandable and
complete. topˆ
Other Instructions
Occasionally, you may have
special instructions to communicate to the lab.
Some of your original may require special processing
such as force processing or flashing. If you request
these services, those rolls must be well marked
and separate from footage that is to be processed
normally. topˆ
Cautions to the Lab
While the lab checks all
film prior to processing, if you suspect that
problems which occurred during shooting may have
caused physical damage to the film, it is imperative
that you advise the lab of the suspected condition
and identify the roll approximate footage where
the problem may exist. Unprocessed film can only
be inspected in the dark by touch, and it is very
easy to miss a nicked perforation or a crease
under these conditions, which may lead to disaster
during the processing.
Similarly, if you have
original material to be worked on that are damaged,
shrunk, or may cause problems of any sort, make
sure you notify the lab in advance. While the
lab will notify you if they notice a problem,
and do its best to provide services that meet
your needs, the responsibility for the condition
of material you supply and the usefulness of the
resulting products rest with you. topˆ |
