Threading

• projectors vary even within a given model (whether because of manufacturing variations or later alterations) — be aware of this while reading manuals and threading diagrams
• basic components - latham loop, pad rollers, etc.
• slot load, self-threading, and other small-gauge quirks
• Threading and leader:
  • Excerpt from University of Chicago Film Studies Center booth manual on this subject: For SMPTE leader (highest number is an 8, the numbers have a circle that moves like a clock hand around them, each number lasts 24 frames or a foot and a half) thread up so a frame in the middle of the 5 is in the aperture. For Academy leaders (highest number is a 10 or higher, a number occurs ever 16 frames or one foot, there are black frames between the numbers) thread up with the number 7 in the aperture. There are also various other countdowns from other countries such as Germany, Iran, and Russia. If a film’s leader does not have a countdown or is a confusing one from another country, you can determine which frame to thread up in the aperture by measuring seven feet from the first frame of image. It may already have an “X” marked which you can thread up in the gate, but first check to make sure that the inspection report mentions that you should thread up on the “X”. Keep an eye out for spliced up leaders that are missing footage that would make threading up at the normal number incorrect. If the leader is missing footage you can measure back seven feet to find the correct place to thread up.