American Cinematographer - February 1996 - 95

compiled by Marji Rhea
Digital Camera Filters
for Cineon, Keycode
Format for 65mm
In

conjunction with Eastman

Kodak Company, Tiffen Digital, the optics
firm's new imaging division, is develop¬

ing computer software that will replicate
popular camera fil¬
ters, to be offered as a component for
compositing and retouching programs

ber placement, Crest National Videotape
and Film Laboratories developed soft¬
ware that links film productions in the
Imax format to the latest digital editing

During the first phase of this
product development process, the new
digital software will emulate Tiffen's line
of color filters. During phase two, soft¬
ware emulating the company's diffusion
(including ProMist and Soft FX), fog and
contrast effects filters will be created.

The software is intended for both preand postproduction applications. For ex¬

enclosed within the 5" channel beams,
the camera can be safely dollied while on

systems, allowing them to deliver video

a

dailies within hours of the

or

delivery of the
negative from the film lab.

the effects of its

used with Cineon workstations.

num channel beams. Because the dolly
weighs only 15 pounds and is securely

Eastman Kodak, (619) 438-

5250; Tiffen Digital, (818) 843-4600;
Crest National

Videotape and Film Labo¬
ratories,(213) 466-0624.
Crane Base

moving

conveyance such as a car, boat
train. The Minislider will take a

Sachtler, Cartoni, O'Connor

or any

brand camera head with
Mitchell base.

a

Tension on the skate wheels
be adjusted to limit the ease with
which the dolly can be rolled. A quick¬
can

locking brake will hold the dolly at the

Chapman/Leonard Studio
Equipment's CS Base crane base is de¬
signed to carry to carry a Chapman re¬
mote or manned crane arm (i.e., Lenny
Arms I, II and III) and has a maximum
payload of 3,400 pounds. The CS Base

end of a move, or hold it locked in place
when the unit is used for quick-change

Quick Pin transmission, which

ters such as a restaurant booth or back

has

a new

setups.
The Minislider
low

seat of an

number of filter combinations to deter¬
mine a look. Filters can later be combined

balloon tires, which allow the base to

for

through all types of terrain. Correc¬
tive steering along with crabbing capa¬

any

losing stops

on the set, as well.
Eastman Kodak has also modi¬

fied the machine-readable edge print on
all of the company's 65mm camera and
intermediate films. Eastman Keycode
numbers are now encoded at 120 perfo¬
ration intervals instead of 80. This will
enable software developers to write ef¬
ficient and accurate programs for con¬

forming the negative to video EDLs in all
four 65mm formats, allowing producers
of ridefilms and other special-venue
films to take advantage of nonlinear
video editing systems in postproduction.

bilities enable it to be maneuvered

smoothly into places most other chassis
cannot go, while the CS Base's built-in
bogie track wheels allow the unit to work
on track without tire changes. The CS
Base incorporates a time-saving quickrelease King Pin system which combines
a Screw Jack device that allows rapid
and simple stabilizing and leveling of the

keycode numbers compatible with all
frame lengths - 5, 8,10, and 15 perfo¬

chassis. Quick Release Pins allow fast
wheel removal, reducing the operating
width to that of the track. The CS Base
is lightweight, and can be disas¬
sembled manually for ease in transpor¬
tation. It also comes equipped with a
removable center post and tool box for

rations

storage.

Kodak manufactures 65mm film with

-

to accommodate the various

special-venue formats. The five-perf
frame is generally used to produce the¬
atrical features and films for the
Showscan process, while the longer

65mm frames

are

typically used for Imax,

Iwerks, and other large formats for the¬
aters at theme

special

Chapman/Leonard Studio
Equipment, 12950 Raymer St., North
Hollywood, CA 91605, (818) 764-4726,
FAX (818) 764-2728.

parks,

museums

and other

venues.

Using the

new

keycode

num¬

Skate-Wheel Dolly
Camera Support Systems'

Minislider Dolly is a 12" x 17" skatewheel dolly that glides within alumi¬

February 1996

with

a

dolly moves in extremely tight quar¬

permits crab or conventional steering,
along with a variety of tires, including
move

comes

set of 41 and 81 beams. The 4' beams al¬

ample, initial stock tests can be shot
clean, then auditioned with an infinite

without

other

standard

automobile, with room for the
operator and assistant. The 81 beams are

longer moves on a process trailer or
moving vehicle, off a balcony or out
a window. The beam clamping plates
have 1 W speedrail flanges mounted for
fast setup time.
Camera Support Systems,
4725 Lagoon Dr., Mound, MN 55364,
(612)474-9246.
Film

Cleaning Machine
Lipsner-Smith's CF-3000 MK VI
film cleaning machine can use new
cleaning agents, an important feature
now that methyl chloroform is being
phased out of production. In addition to
its ultrasonic cleaning, the machine's
optionally-engaged submerged rotary
buffer system can gently scrub films that
may contain hard-to-remove impacted
dirt. The unit achieves operation speeds
of up to 200 feet per minute, twice the
speed of conventional machines, and
provides increased solvent recycling ef¬
ficiency for additional savings in solvent
costs and a reduced payback time.
Lipsner-Smith Company, 4700
Chase, Lincolnwood, IL 60646, (708) 6773000, (800) 323-7520, FAX (708) 6771311.

American

Cinematographer

93
American Cinematographer - February 1996

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of American Cinematographer - February 1996
