Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2005/05/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]In a message dated 5/12/2005 10:51:39 P.M. Central Daylight Time, feli2@earthlink.net writes: > sorry, but i could not go to sleep without knowing this: > > to those hollywood veterans out there; what is the industry term > for that countdown number in the middle of a circle, with a > sort of second hand sweeping around 360 degrees as the number counts > down to zero and the footage begins? > > -rei The purpose is to know when to start the projector and open the gate. As you might remember, films once had a white spot appear at the end of each reel, usually in the lower right of the frame. That was a cue to the projectionist when to start the next reel. If you saw any part of the countdown, he messed up. Of course in those boring geography films at school, the countdown was often the most interesting thing. Pity kids who have to watch DVD's! Regards, Sonny http://www.sonc.com Natchitoches, Louisiana Oldest continuous settlement in La Louisiane ?galit?, libert?, crawfish