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A '''splicer''' is a tool used to join two pieces of film. Splicers are manufactured for different film gauges and perforation types, and specialized splicers using a diagonal cut are required for magnetic sound formats. | |||
A splicer is a tool used to join two pieces of film. Splicers are manufactured for different film gauges and perforation types, and specialized splicers using a diagonal cut are required for magnetic sound formats. | |||
The earliest splicers used film cement to make a permanent join. Film cement can be used on nitrate and acetate stock, but will not adhere to polyester. With the rise of large-reel and platter projection and the transition to polyester as the dominant film base for theatrical distribution, cement splicers were replaced with tape splicers as the primary means of splicing film for the purpose of projection. Cement splicers remain in use for archival purposes. Polyester film can be permanently fused using ultrasonic splicers. While these splicers are not generally available to projectionists due to their high cost, ultrasonic splices that were performed during the manufacturing process are common in polyester release prints. | |||
==History== | |||
The earliest splicers used film cement to make a permanent join. Film cement can be used on nitrate and acetate stock, but will not adhere to polyester. With the rise of large-reel and platter projection and the transition to polyester as the dominant film base for theatrical distribution, cement splicers were replaced with tape splicers as the primary means of splicing film for the purpose of projection. Cement splicers remain in use for archival purposes, mainly in film lab settings. Polyester film can be permanently fused using ultrasonic splicers. While these splicers are not generally available to projectionists due to their high cost, ultrasonic splices that were performed during the manufacturing process are common in polyester release prints. | |||
==Cement Splicers== | ==Cement Splicers== | ||
Cement splicers use a liquid film cement that consists of film base dissolved in a solvent. Typically, the film is cut so that each end overlaps by one perforation, with one side of the overlap falling on a frame line. Cement splices are performed with the emulsion up. The emulsion and binder on the lower layer are scraped off, and the base of the upper layer is abraded to provide a rough surface for the cement to adhere to. Cement is then applied and the two pieces of film are clamped together while the cement cures. Hot splicers are cement splicers that have a built-in heating element to speed up the curing process. | Cement splicers use a liquid film cement that consists of film base dissolved in a solvent. Typically, the film is cut so that each end overlaps by one perforation, with one side of the overlap falling on a frame line. Cement splices are performed with the emulsion up. The emulsion and binder on the lower layer are scraped off, and the base of the upper layer is abraded to provide a rough surface for the cement to adhere to. Cement is then applied and the two pieces of film are clamped together while the cement cures. Hot splicers are cement splicers that have a built-in heating element to speed up the curing process. | ||
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When cement splices are beginning to separate or experience other issues, they may be reinforced with repair tape. In most cases, the tape should be applied to the emulsion side of the splice to cover the leading edge, which could catch in the gate. | When cement splices are beginning to separate or experience other issues, they may be reinforced with repair tape. In most cases, the tape should be applied to the emulsion side of the splice to cover the leading edge, which could catch in the gate. | ||
<gallery widths= | <gallery widths=200px heights=200px mode=packed> | ||
File:Griswold cement splicer.JPG|Griswold 35mm cement splicer. | File:Griswold cement splicer.JPG|Griswold 35mm cement splicer. | ||
File:Witchcraft CementSplice.png|A misaligned cement splice with excessive emulsion loss. | File:Witchcraft CementSplice.png|A misaligned cement splice with excessive emulsion loss. | ||
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==Tape Splicers== | ==Tape Splicers== | ||
[[File:CIR M3 splicer.JPG|right|thumb|200px|[[CIR M.3-35mm Special|CIR M3]] 35mm splicer with adjustable registration pins for accommodating shrunken film.]] | |||
[[File:Neumade 70ss splicer - open.JPG|left|thumb|200px|Neumade 70SS 70mm splicer.]] | |||
The splicers most commonly in use in projection booths are guillotine splicers that use adhesive roll tape. Earlier designs used pre-perforated press tape, which remains available for small gauge film. Tape splices may be applied to all film bases. | The splicers most commonly in use in projection booths are guillotine splicers that use adhesive roll tape. Earlier designs used pre-perforated press tape, which remains available for small gauge film. Tape splices may be applied to all film bases. | ||
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Only clear tape should be used for archival projection. In the past, opaque tape and striped tape that covered the soundtrack area and/or the splice cut (also known as zebra tape) was used to mark reel changes for large-reel and platter projection. The edge of the tape will appear as a shadow on screen, so tape repairs should be applied so that the tape edge falls on a frame line when possible. | Only clear tape should be used for archival projection. In the past, opaque tape and striped tape that covered the soundtrack area and/or the splice cut (also known as zebra tape) was used to mark reel changes for large-reel and platter projection. The edge of the tape will appear as a shadow on screen, so tape repairs should be applied so that the tape edge falls on a frame line when possible. | ||
==Ultrasonic Splicers== | ==Ultrasonic Splicers== | ||
[[File:Ultrasonicsplice.png|right|thumb|250px|Ultrasonic splice.]] | |||
Ultrasonic splicers are used to fuse polyester film. This is most commonly done when preparing release prints for distribution. When properly made, ultrasonic splices are permanent, but they should always be tested before projection and replaced or reinforced with repair tape if they are too weak for projection. | Ultrasonic splicers are used to fuse polyester film. This is most commonly done when preparing release prints for distribution. When properly made, ultrasonic splices are permanent, but they should always be tested before projection and replaced or reinforced with repair tape if they are too weak for projection. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||