Masking: Difference between revisions

Masking is the material on the border of the [[screens|screen]] that covers the portion of the screen outside the picture area. When projecting film, the [[aperture plates|aperture plate]] casts a blurry shadow because it is not on the same focal plane as the film, and masking is used to crop off this shadow and giving the illusion of a sharp edge. It also hides structural elements of the screen and mechanical elements of the masking system itself. The top of the screen is covered by a valence, and the fixed drapery hanging below the screen is referred to as the skirt.

Masking is typically matte black, with the side masking and skirt made of a lightweight fabric that is acoustically transparent so that it doesn’t muffle the screen speakers.