BACKGROUND
For the record, the
use of 3-perforation pull-down 35mm cameras is not new. Cinematographers
have been exploring this technology since before WWII, and it was patented
by Miklos Lente, CSC, in 1975. Subsequently, Tri-perf has been used by
a majority of filmed TV productions since 1995 and has recently enjoyed
increased use in feature films.
ADVANTAGES
Using
67.5 feet of film per minute instead of 90 is a big savings!
Not only is there less cost in buying film stock, but there’s
also a 25% savings in processing. What’s more, a 1,000’ magazine
that would normally give you just over 11 minutes of footage
now produces almost 15 minutes. And instead of having a 200-foot
short end that would go to waste, it can now be used for another
short take or an insert shot later in the day. This also translates
to less frequent reloading — which saves time on the set.
Additionally, there may be fewer magazines needed to rent and
carry around. And from an environmental standpoint, there’s
less film to dispose of and the lab will have fewer chemicals
to deal with.
IMAGE SIZE
The
aperture of a Tri-perf camera lends
itself perfectly to 1.78 format composition. The 1.78
image size of Tri-Perf is just slightly (7%) smaller than
what you’d
get in a standard 4-perf camera given
the 16x9 aspect ratio of HDTV. You can also compose
for 1.33, which would give you extra image area to
the right and left for repositioning in post.
We
recognize that there are many variables in composition,
such as lens coverage so
we offer cinematographers a wide variety of ground
glass for Tri-perf applications.
As
for comparing Tri-perf 35mm to Super 16mm, the image
area you get with 3P is almost four times as great
as S16 when shooting 1.78 format. For superior image
quality, 35mm Tri-perf is the way to go.
GREAT FOR COMMERCIALS
One
area where use of tri-perf 35mm cameras can be expanded
is in the making of commercials. Whether it’s because
the producers are not versed in this technology, or the
fact that many camera rental houses are unwilling to
inventory 3-perforation cameras and downplay their use,
3-perforation is just now starting to gain the attention
of commercial producers as the savings potentials are significant!
|
 |
