Apple Cinema Tools 3 - Manual (Page 207)

Appendix A Background Basics 207
Step 4: Create audio scratch tracks
An audio scratch track is similar to the film’s workprint—it’s a copy of the production
sound to use while editing. Depending on the type of mechanical film editor you intend
to use, you will often create an audio scratch track on magnetic film. Magnetic film,
known as single stripe, three stripe, mag stock, and fullcoat, uses perforations like regular
film, but is coated with magnetic material. Once synced with the film on the editor, both
it and the workprint are run in tandem, maintaining their sync while editing.
Step 5: Edit the workprint
This is the point when you make decisions regarding which parts of the film footage
you want to use and how you want it laid out. Editing the workprint involves physically
cutting and splicing at each edit point. Changing your mind about the exact placement
of a cut or trying an alternate edit is time consuming and tends to be hard on the film.
(This is the part of the process that digital editing greatly facilitates.) Once you are
satisfied with the edited workprint, you send it to the negative cutter.
Step 6: Conform the negative
The negative cutter uses the edited workprint as a guide to make edits to the original
camera negative. This process is called conforming. Since there is only one negative, it is
crucial that no mistakes are made at this point. As opposed to the cutting and splicing
methods used when working with the workprint, the cutting and splicing methods
used for conforming the negative destroy frames on each end of the edit. This makes
extending an edit virtually impossible, and is one of the reasons you must be
absolutely sure of your edit points before beginning the conform process.
Step 7: Edit the audio
You typically “rough-cut” the audio while editing the workprint. While the negative is
being conformed, the audio is edited (using the original tapes) and finished with sound
effects and any required dialogue enhancements.
Step 8: Create the answer and release prints
Once the original camera negative has been conformed and the audio finalized, you
are able to have an answer print created. This print is used for the final color timing,
where the color balance and exposure for each shot are adjusted to ensure the shots
all work well together. You may need to create several answer prints before you are
happy with the results. Once you are satisfied with the answer print, the final release
print is made.
UP01101.Book Page 207 Thursday, March 10, 2005 3:16 PM