Movies for TV - Early Television Foundation

TITLES AND SPECIAL EFFECTS 203
silent titles for a production whether all film, or live, or half and
half is to be sure to use the same kind of film base for all parts
of the film. In other words, if the is production on sound film
(even though it is a silent film) perforated on one side only, use
this type for the titles also. If different bases are used and spliced
in haphazardly, the odds are ten to one that at least one of the
inserts will have the perforations on the wrong side and refuse to
pass through the projector! It is also important to ensure that the
emulsion is on the same side of the film throughout (this is
mentioned again when the use of positive film for titles is described
later on) ; otherwise focus may vary when the emulsion position
changes as it goes through the picture gate.
Plain Still Titles This is the most inefficient use of the wonder-
ful servant we have in motion picture film. Generally this type of
title is made on a light gray cardboard base, usually known as a
card, with very dark gray or black lettering. The simplest and
most uninspired method of use is to place the cards in a holder
and photograph them one at a time as one is pulled out by hand.
A variation of this is the flopover title.
In the latter case, the cards are hinged or supported on hooks
so that one card can be dropped in front of the camera, and sub-
sequent ones flop over like the leaves of a book held sideways.
Another method is to mount the cards on each side of a panel
pivoted either at the two sides horizontally, or at the top and
bottom so that turning an external handle attached to one of the
pivots causes the panel to rotate either horizontally about a vertical
axis or vertically about a horizontal axis. In either case, a
pleasing
effect is obtained.
Scroll or drum titles are simply made by inscribing the title
on an endless piece of strong paper or canvas or any other suitable
medium which has a desirable texture. This title is slowly moved
on two
up while the camera is shooting by mounting the strip
rollers something like an old-fashioned wringer. To be sure of
smooth motion, it is advisable to run the camera at thirty-two
frames instead of twenty-four. Thus any unsteadiness in the move-