OPTICAL WORKFLOW
The Essential Reference Guide for Filmmakers
Dailies/Rushes
Two types of dailies are available:
• One-Light Dailies
• Timed or Graded Dailies
Printing Methods
Different printing methods are used for different purposes
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Contact Printing - most common
Optical Printing - image size can be changed
Rotary or Continuous Printing - at a constant speed
Intermittent Printing - frame by frame
Printers
Commonly Used Printers
• Rotary Contact Printers - used for release prints
• Intermittent Optical Printers - used for blow-ups
Video Dailies
Video Dailies vs. Film Dailies
• Video Dailies preferred for television production
• Video Dailies have come the industry standard
• More difficult to evaluate focus on Video Dailies
• More difficult to assess exposure on Video Dailies
Opticals
Some shots and effects must be created while the editor is
working. Some examples are:
•Transitions, such as fades or wipes
•Reverse motion
•Composite shots
•Titles over picture
Negative Cutting
• Checkerboard cutting is used to conceal splices
Splicing Techniques
Three Common Splicing
Techniques:
• Tape Joins
• Cement Joins
• Heat Weld (Ultrasonic)
Splice
Preparation for Printing
• Cut negatives must be prepared for printing
• Each scene is individually timed and the cue points are
indentified
• Before printing , cut negatives are cleaned to remove
traces of dust or dirt
Answer Print
• Answer Prints are made from the cut
negative.
• The print is then timed for color and
density.
• The timing for the answer print is used
to make the interpositive, also called IP
or Master Positive.
Master Positive
Duplication
• Several duplicate negatives, or
internegatives, are made from
the interpositive
• Duplicate negs are made to
protect the original and provide
insurance against damage
• The final release prints are
printed from the duplicate
negatives
• The duplicate negative can also
be used to create a video master
Duplicate Negative
Check Prints and Release Prints
• Check Prints are made from the
duplicate negative; they are used to
assess the quality of the bulk release
work.
• Release Prints are produced in large
numbers at high speeds for theaters
around the world.
Release Print
QUESTIONS?