5.5.2 Platter Operation
Description
This article is from the rec.arts.movies.tech FAQ, by Scott E. Norwood snorwood@nyx.nyx.net with numerous contributions by others.
5.5.2 Platter Operation
After the print is spliced together, soundtrack edge facing up, the
projectionist removes the metal core, (a.k.a. the `donut') around
which the film is wound `tails out', from the center of the platter,
loads the film across a series of rollers and through the projector,
and attaches the donut to an empty platter. The film feeds out the
center of the first platter, and is taken up on the second one. In
this way, a show may be started, and, as long as no problems occur,
run through its end without continual supervision. Because the film is
taken up with the head at the center of the platter, there is no
rewinding necessary. To run the same film again, the film is fed from
its current platter onto another empty one. This can potentially save
time by eliminating the rewind stage, allowing the same show to be run
almost continuously.
So-called `endless loop platters' also exist, and work similarly,
although they omit the donut, and instead require that the head and
tail be spliced together, allowing the same film to be run multiple
times with no interruptions. Unfortunately, though, these systems
discourage the cleaning of the projector gate, and, as dust and dirt
accumulate there (an inevitable result of showing films), can lead to
print scratches and other damage.
After building up a print on a platter, it is good practice for the
projectionist to run it once in order to preview the print for any
problems which may have been introduced in print buildup (like bad
splices) and other defects, which may have been introduced elsewhere
(like deep scratches, or lousy lab work). Splices used to build up
prints on platters are usually made with `zebra' tape, which has
yellow markings which help the projectionist to locate the splices
when breaking down the print onto the shipping reels.
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