Method of making motion picture release-print film

Abstract

A method of making motion picture release-print film, such as 35 mm film. The film has an enlarged frame that occupies substantially the entire width of the film that is available for the exposure of images, and the spacing between frames is minimized. Film having these enlarged frames provides an enhanced image with a minimum of film waste. Aspect ratios of 1.85:1 and 2.01:1 in the enlarged frame size are contemplated in three and four perforation formats. A digital soundtrack or other appropriate soundtrack replaces the analog soundtrack that occupies a portion of the available width. The soundtrack may provide for redundancy.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A method of making motion picture film, comprising: 
 coating a strip of motion picture film with a light-sensitive emulsion, wherein the film has two rows of perforations extending along opposite edges of the film for engagement with sprockets of a motion picture film projector;    exposing images onto the film, wherein an area available for the exposure of each image is defined by a frame having a width that occupies substantially the entire available space between the rows of perforations and having a height that spans approximately three perforations, providing a printed aspect ratio of substantially 1.85:1; and    placing audio information on the film that coordinates sound with the images when projected by the motion picture film projector, wherein the audio information substantially does not occupy any of said area available for the exposure of each image.    
     
     
         2 . Motion picture film, comprising: 
 a strip of motion picture film having two rows of perforations extending along opposite edges of the film for engagement with sprockets of a motion picture film projector;    a plurality of projectable images on the film, wherein an area available for the projection of each image is defined by a frame having a width that occupies substantially the entire available space between the rows of perforations and having a height that spans approximately three perforations, providing an aspect ratio of substantially 1.85:1; and    audio information on the strip that coordinates sound with the images when projected by the motion picture film projector, wherein the audio information substantially does not occupy any of said area available for the projection of each image.    
     
     
         3 . The motion picture film of  claim 2 , wherein the audio information comprises a digital soundtrack, including a control track placed on the film outside the frames that controls operation of a CD ROM player to produce audio in synchronization with the images on the film.  
     
     
         4 . The motion picture of  claim 3 , wherein the digital soundtrack is redundant to provide redundant digital audio.  
     
     
         5 . The motion picture film of  claim 4 , wherein one control track is placed on the film between the perforations along one edge of the film, and another redundant control track is placed on the film between the perforations along the opposite edge of the film.  
     
     
         6 . A method of making motion picture film, comprising: 
 coating a strip of motion picture film with a light-sensitive emulsion, wherein the film has two rows of perforations extending along opposite edges of the film for engagement with sprockets of a motion picture film projector;    exposing images onto the film, wherein an area available for the exposure of each image is defined by a frame having a width that occupies substantially the entire available space between the rows of perforations and having a height that spans approximately four perforations, providing a printed aspect ratio of substantially 1.33:1 which is anamorphically projected in a 2.0:1 aspect ratio; and    placing audio information on the film that coordinates sound with the images when projected by the motion picture film projector, wherein the audio information substantially does not occupy any of said area available for the exposure of each image.    
     
     
         7 . Motion picture film, comprising: 
 a strip of motion picture film having two rows of perforations extending along opposite edges of the film for engagement with sprockets of a motion picture film projector;    a plurality of projectable images on the film, wherein an area available for the projection of each image is defined by a frame having a width that occupies substantially the entire available space between the rows of perforations and having a height that spans approximately four perforations, providing a printed aspect ratio of substantially 1.33:1 which is anamorphically projected in a 2.0:1 aspect ratio; and    audio information on the strip that coordinates sound with the images when projected by the motion picture film projector, wherein the audio information substantially does not occupy any of said area available for the projection of each image.    
     
     
         8 . The motion picture film of  claim 7 , wherein the audio information comprises a digital soundtrack, including a control track placed on the film outside the frames that controls operation of a CD ROM player to produce audio in synchronization with the images on the film.  
     
     
         9 . The motion picture film of  claim 8 , wherein the digital soundtrack is redundant to provide redundant digital audio.  
     
     
         10 . The motion picture film of  claim 9 , wherein one control track is placed on the film between the perforations along one edge of the film, and another redundant control track is placed on the film between the perforations along the opposite edge of the film.