By K. Blair Benson, Goldmark Communications Corporation
A high percentage of feature motion picture films intended for theatrical release are produced in a format intended for a wide-screen presentation. For television transmission, a special print normally is provided wherein the film frame is masked to the narrower format. The masking is moved horizontally to follow picture information essential to the story.
The system described herein accomplishes the scanning operation during real-time transfer of film to tape. An optical system, controlled automatically from recorded cues, moves the widescreen image to specific horizontal positions relative to the camera aperture at the appropriate film frame.
By the elimination of the film processing laboratory scanning operation and production of special prints, substantial cost savings are achieved in the transfer of a feature film program to the television format.