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==Purpose== | ==Purpose== | ||
Masking serves several purposes in exhibition settings. 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. Masking also absorbs lights around the visible image area projected on screen, making the image stand out and appear brighter. | |||
<blockquote> | |||
''Where the black border is used there is not only less distraction for the eye, but the effect of added light brilliancy is had without its actuality.'' | |||
— F. H. Richardson | |||
<ref>F.H Richardson. ''Motion Picture Handbook: a guide for managers and operators of motion picture theatres'', 3rd ed. (New York: Chalmers Publishing Company,1916), 178.</ref> | |||
</blockquote> | |||
Masking serves several purposes in exhibition settings. 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. Masking also absorbs lights around the visible image area projected on screen, making the image stand out and appear brighter. | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
[[File:Powers Sound Aperture.JPG|A 1.37 aperture plate on a Powers Cameragraph No. 6.|right|thumb|300px]] | [[File:Powers Sound Aperture.JPG|A 1.37 aperture plate on a Powers Cameragraph No. 6.|right|thumb|300px]] | ||
[[File:Masking - round corners.jpg|Silent era masking with rounded corners, | [[File:Masking - round corners.jpg|Silent era masking with rounded corners, F.H Richardson ''Motion Picture Handbook: a guide for managers and operators of motion picture theatres'', 3rd ed., 1916.|right|thumb|300px]] | ||
In the silent era, projectors had a fixed aperture and screens had fixed masking. Apertures typically had rounded corners, which were often reflected in the masking. In the early years, a border was either painted directly onto the screen with matte black paint or constructed out of matte black fabric. However, at theaters that employed a stereopticon that projected a taller image than the 35mm picture, the film presentation could not be properly masked. | In the silent era, projectors had a fixed aperture and screens had fixed masking. Apertures typically had rounded corners, which were often reflected in the masking. In the early years, a border was either painted directly onto the screen with matte black paint or constructed out of matte black fabric. However, at theaters that employed a stereopticon that projected a taller image than the 35mm picture, the film presentation could not be properly masked. | ||
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===Fixed Width Screens=== | ===Fixed Width Screens=== | ||
Although | Although less common than fixed height screens, some theaters have fixed-width screens on which the picture area becomes taller for narrower aspect ratios and shortens for wider aspect ratios. This is common in theaters built before the widescreen era that retained their original screen footprint (rather than installing a wider screen in front of the original proscenium, for example). It is also common in theaters in which the width of the auditorium is the limiting factor, such as single screens that have been twinned. | ||
===Current Practice=== | ===Current Practice=== | ||
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===Motors & Rigging=== | ===Motors & Rigging=== | ||
[[File:Masking Rigging.JPG|Masking rigging.|right|thumb|300px]] | |||
[[File:Masking Clew.JPG|A clew distributing the load to multiple cables to support the upper masking evenly across its length.|right|thumb|300px]] | |||
Some masking systems are fully manual, but most are motorized. Motorized systems may be chain-drive or cable-driven, with either a sprocket or cable drum attached to the motor shaft. For motorized systems, stops are programmed for each format. For manual systems, the stops must be marked somewhere on the masking system (ex., tape may be applied to the side of the screen frame or the top of the skirt to denote how far the sides should be brought in). | Some masking systems are fully manual, but most are motorized. Motorized systems may be chain-drive or cable-driven, with either a sprocket or cable drum attached to the motor shaft. For motorized systems, stops are programmed for each format. For manual systems, the stops must be marked somewhere on the masking system (ex., tape may be applied to the side of the screen frame or the top of the skirt to denote how far the sides should be brought in). | ||
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It’s a good idea to keep spare fuses on-hand for the masking motors, since masking frozen in the wrong position may require show cancellations. | It’s a good idea to keep spare fuses on-hand for the masking motors, since masking frozen in the wrong position may require show cancellations. | ||
===Masking Controls=== | ===Masking Controls=== | ||