Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SPECIFICAT:[ON
(a) Title of the Invention:
~mprovement of Motion Picture Image Quality
(b) Name of the Inven-tor:
Larry Blake
(d) Background of the Invention:
The improvement of motion picture image quality of this
invention is classified in Class 352, subclasses 44,69, and
239; Class 355, subclass 52, and the like.
M. Lente, in UnS~ Patent 3,865,738 issued February 11,
1975, discloses a motion picture film having pictures whose
frame lengths are three perforation-pitch lengths. The print
films-may be prepared such that the prints may also be four
perforation-pitch lengths. The images may also have an
anamorphic horizontal reduction in the range of 1.5:1 to
1.25:1.
G. Monteleoni et al, in U.S. Patent 3,396,021, issued
August 6, 1968, discloses an anamorphic wide-screen motion
picture print made by exposing a negative in a camera without
vertical or horizontal distortion, in a frame area of one-half
normal height. A positive print is made by enl.arging the
vertical dimension of the picture in inverse proportion to the
-- 1 --
reduction of the negative feed rate without substantial
change in wid~h fro~ that o~ the nega~ive, producing a prin~
of normal frame dimensions with an anamorphic wide scene
filling the picture area of the print.
In' U.S. Patent 3,046,~32 issued July 31, 1961, W.
~inzenburg increases the luminous flux obtainable from
projection equipment by providing a print of greater than
standard ~rame size on standard film.
The present invention relates to a method of photographing
motion pictures with attention paid to problems of the fla~
wide-screen system and to solutions offered by full-aperture
photography and standard anamorphic projection.
The aspec~ ratio of a frame of 35mm film, as
established by Edison and Lumiere at the end of the last
century, is exactly 1.33:1, and this was the image used
during the 25-year reign of silent films.
This standardization was challenged by the introduction
of optical sound tracks at the beginning of the sound era.
All of a sudden, three projection apertures were'in wide use:
The old silent aperture, for sound-on-disc release;' the
"k~YIETONE* aperture, which simply reduced the width
of the silent aperture to lea~e'room for the'sound track,
resulting in an awkward, almost-square image;' and the
"proportional" aperture, which redllced the'height as well as
the width to give the same 1.33:1 aspect ratlo as that of
silent films. Because of the uncertainty as to how a
film would be p~ojected, there was much compromise involved
in the placement o~' lights and microphone booms.
Order was not to be had until the codification, in the
early 1930s, of the ACADEIIY* aperture, whose aspect ratio
was 1.38:1 ~colloquially referred to as 1.33). For the next
20 years, cinematographers and directors never had to worry
about how their films would be proJected.
-- 2
* TR~DE ~RK
~P~32 8 ~
Although there was much discussion at the beginning of
the sound era regarding the feasibility of wide screens,
it is generally agreed that it took competition from a ree
1.33 -- television -- to force motion picture studios into
expanding the original 1.33 frame.
Since the introductions of CINERAMA*and CINE~SCOPE*in
the early 1950s, almost every conceivable com~)ination of
large negatives (vIsT~vIsIoN*and 65mm photography), small
negatives (TECHNI5CQ~E*and SUPERSCOPE*) ,and anamorphic
photography ~T~C~NIRA~*and ULTRA PANAVISION*) has been used
to increase the aspect ratio of motion pictures.
Besides the original CINEMAscopE*anamorp~ic system, the
only other survivinO wide-screen format used in principal
motion picture pho~ography today is the "flat" (i.e., non-
anamorphic) wide-screen system, which was adopted only for
its ability to produce wide images from standard 35mm
cameras, lenses, and contact-printing techniques. In the
United States, films are composed for an aspect ratio of
1.85:1 taken from the center of the s~andard 1.38:1 ACADEl~Y*
frame, and projected with a shor~-focal-length lens and a
1.85:1 aperture plate. The flat wide-screen format uses
only 63% of the standard anamorphic frame, while wasting
36% more negative and print stock.
A comparison to the 1.38 ACADEIIY* format reveals the
following projection problems of the 1.85:1 flat wide-screen
system
1. Apparent grain increase/ due to the ~6/~-smaller
image being projected onto a 35%-larger screen. Increased
with the grain is the visibility of dirt and scratches.
2. ~immer picture, for the same reasons, requiring the
use of high-speed lenses in projection.
3. More critic~l focusing, due to ~he shallow depth of.
foeus of high~speed, short-focal leng~h lenses.
-- 3 --
* TRADE I~L~RK
~2 t~
It has long been observed that the lack of sharpness
of flat wide-screen images is due prirnarily to the small
image area of the negative. ~ecause of the effects of negative
emulslon grain, the full potential of fine-grain positive
stocks can be realized only with optical reduction from a
larger negative.
The best-known example of this approach is Paramount's
vIsTAvIsIoN*process~ whose large negatives were used almost
exclusively or print~down to flat wide-screen prints. It
was also common practice to shoot, with the full aperture,
films to be printed in ~he TEcH~IcoLo~*imbibition process,
reducing to the ACADEMY*frame when printing the dye-transfer
matrices. ~ven though the negative was only 2?% larger than
its print, there was claimed a noticeable gain in definition
and decrease in grain.
It is evident that the flat wide-screen system leaves
much to be de~ired in the way o~ image quality. In addition,
what is finally viewed by the public is often misframed.
The classic example of this is the theater which shows all
films at a 2:1 ratio, thus cropping and blowing up the
already-small 1.85 frame, while reducin~ the width of
anamorphic films. This compromise ratio damages the
composition of 1.85 films more, as crucial headroom is severely
tightened. Not only is headroom compromised in ~:1 projection
of a 1.85 film, but the focusing, grain, and illumination
problems are also magnified.
~ loreover, there are problems in the exch~n~e of films
between the United States and Europe, since the U.S. uses
the 1.85:1 ratio, while Europe uses 1.66:1. Similarly, any
American director wishing to shoot in a ratio taller than
1.85:1, i.e., 1.75, 1.66 or the old 1.38, has almost no
chance of having the film projected properly on a predictable
* T~iDE MARK
~32 ,';~9
basis. Directors and cinematographers must accept the fact
that their flat wide-screen films are composed in the apert~re
plates of the theaters, and not on the ground gl~sses o
their cameras. They can only determine what will be on
the center of the frame on the print.
All of the above-rnentioned probléms are minimized in
the standard anamorphic system employing complementa~y
lenses with a 2:l lateral compression ratio in photography
and in projectlon. 1~1hlle anamorphic films are rarely shown
at their complete 2.40:l width, crucial height is almost
always correct, as there is very little margin for framing
error This is because the frameline on an anamorphic print
will be'visible before'headroom is misframed to a bothersome
degree. Additionally, none of the illumination, grain, and
focus problems encountered in flat wide-screen projection
have to be considered: a larger image presents more light to
longer lenses.
Yet, despite these projection benefits, fewer than 10%
of American feature films are photographed with anamorphic
lenses. A major complaint with the anamorphic format is
that the 2.~0:l aspect ratio is too~wide, is difficult to
compose for, and requires scanning for teIevision reIease.
The other common complaint regarding anamorphic
photography concerns the use of long focal lengths for the
standard desired photographic angles of view. ~his results in
decreased depth of field unles's light levels are increased
to allow the scene to be photographed at a smaller f-stop.
Thus, i~ i9 evident that the most desirable'wide-screen
format would have to combine the standard lenses and not-so-
wide frame of the fl~t system with the image quality and
projection benefits of the anamorphic format.
. 5 ~
32, V9~
SUMMARY OF THE IN~.NTION
Motion picture film is photographed with standard
spherical lenses, exposing in the camera the full 35mm
aperture, giving in the 1.66:1 ratio a negative image area
effectively 75V~ larger than that of the standard 1 85:1 flat
wide-screen format. The cut negative will be optically printed
onto standard anamorphic release prints, bypassing the problems
of flat wide-screen projection, such as dim and grainy
images, shallow depth of focus, and unpredictahle framing. The
preferred embodiment employs the 1.66:1 aspect ratio. The
2 20:1 aspect ratio can also be produced according to the
present invention.
This process invention solves problems created and
implied by the fla~ wide-screen system. The solution must
employ standard equipment in both photography and projection.
This invention proposes that motion pictures not employing
anamorphic lenses in photography use the full 35mm aperture,
with the frame on the ground glass centered on the film
centerline. The width of the projectable image would be
0.980 inch, with heights of 0.590 inch and 0.445 inch for
the 1.66:1 and 2.20:1 ratios, respectively.
The cut camera negative is optically printed to an
anamorphic print, with the centerline offset 0.0495 inch
to the Academy sound standard. The dimensions of the printing
aperture would be identical to those of projectable image
area framed on the ground glass, with the height of the
projectable image on the.negative printed to the standard
0.700 inch height of the anamorphic frame. Area not used
on the top and on the sides of the image is printed with an
opaque hard matte.
Incl.uded in the objects of this invention are:
To provide improved image structure, due to a larger
negative image area.
~ 6 -
JI~
To provide a means of bypassing the problems of flat
wide-screen projection.
To provide greater depth of focus dur;ng projection.
To eliminate unprer.lictable framing in theaters.
Other objects and advantages of this invention are
taught in the following description and claims.
-- 7 --
2 s~ j
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DP~WINGS
The description of this invention is to be read,in
conjunc~ion with the following drawings:
F~GURE 1 illustrates the plan view of the camera
aperture and the projec-table image area used in the'l.85:1
flat wide-screen system.
FIGURE 2 illustrates the plan view of the'camera
aperture and the projectable image area used in the standard
2~40:1 anamorphic format.
FIGURE 3 illustrates the plan view of the projectable'
image area of a negative used in the present invention for
films in the 1.66:1 aspect ratio.
FIGUR~ 4 illustrates the plan view of the'proj'ectable
image area of an anamorphic print of the negative'
illustrated in FIGUP~ 3.
FIGURE 5 illustrates the'plan view of the projectable'
image area of a SUPER'16~mm negative~
. . ,
* TRADE MARK
~ocket Mo. B-266-~,IP
GJ.OSSAP~Y
FIGURES 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
1, 1', 1", 1''', 1'''' film
2, 2', 2", 2''', 2'''' - picture image
3, 3', 3" - sound track
DF.SCRIPTION OF THE PPEFF.RREl) F,MBOI)I2~.~NT OF TlIE Il`lVl~NTION
The present inventive advance in the process art
proposes that moti.on picture films be photographed with
spherical lenses, e~posing in the camera the full 35mm
aperture, wi~h the frame on the ground glass centered on
the film centerline. The cut negative is optically printed
onto standard anamorphic prints, with the printing aperture
having the same dimensions as the frame on the ground glass,
and with the height of said frame printed to the full
heigh-t (0.70n inch) of the standard anamorphic frame,
with unused information on the top and on the sides of
the projectable image printed with an opaque hard matte.
The preferred embodiment will use the 1.66:1 aspect ratio.
Release prints are to be projected with standard
~ anamorphic lenses.
: The various comparative picture image sizes are listed
in Table I on the next page, repres`enting 35mm motion
i . picture film.
9 -
l ~ABL~. I
- Aspect ~olumn 1 ~olumn 2 rolumn 3
Ratio In~rention Flat Negative Invention
''egative Image and Positive Ima~,e
IlTIage ~idth Positive Image Image Height
3 inch Image T~ .th = .-7~n inch
= .~25 inch
IIeight Area Height Area ~idth Area
(inch) ~sq. in.) (inch) ~sq. in.)~inch) (sq. in.)
A 2.40 - - .350 (~) .2937 .83~ (*~) .5873
3 B 2.20 .445 .4361
o ' ~.
C 1.&5 - - .446 .358n
.~ ~ 1 66 .590 .57~2 .497 .41~0 .5~1 .4~7
E 1.33 .590 .4631 .535(****J3815
(*) ~egative area only of IT.S. Patent 3,396,021; 83a inch wid~h
~**) Ihe width used in standa~d 2.4Q;1 anamorphic photography
(***~ .785 inch width
~`k***~ . 713 inch ~idth.
~2 1, ~
This invention, in the pre~erred embodilllent using the
1.66:1 aspect ratio, increases by 57~/~ the ne~ative irnage
are, compared to that of the stanclard 1.85.1 flat wide-
screen format (Table I, ~Column 1, ].;ne ~) and Colllrnn 2,
line C). ~f one consiclers the larger screen area that
a l..S5:1 image has to fill, compared to the present invention's
1.66:1 frame (for a given screen height~, then the effective
negative image area :increase would be 75%. And, because
the negative would be 42% larger than, and would be reduced
to, its anamorph;c print, highest-quality re]ease prints
would be obtained, as noted earlier. In addition, the
effective print area increase (Table I, ~olumn 2, line C;
Column 3, line D) would be 23~/~. The result of ~he ahove
negative and positive image area increases would be a
substajntial reduction o:E apparent grain and a significant
increase ln sharpness and definition.
In prior art illustrated in FIG. 1, value a is the
correct height of a flat wide~screen print in the l.g5:1 ratio.
Value b is the area exposed on the negative. The small image
area and the wide margin for framing error inherent in
said system is illustrated. FIG. 2 illustrates a standard
print made from a negative photographed with an anamorphic
lens. It is noted that the projectab]e area used on the print,
value a, comprises almost the total area ex?osed on the
negative, indicated by value b. Thus the small margin
for framin~ error in the standard anamorphic forrnat is
indicated. F-LGS. 3-5 inclusive serve to illustrate the
proced-ures which the preserlt invention discloses, overcoming
the problems in prior art.
In ~IG. 3, the projectable innage area for the 1.66:1
ratio is indicated for negative material in the present
invention. The total area exposed on the negative would be
greater than the projectahle image area, in accorclance with
- 11 -.
~2,'75
standard practice. The specific area exposed on the negative
is not lndicated in FIG. 3 because the projectable image area
framed on the ground glass would be the only area printed
since its dimensions would match those of the printing
aperture; thus the release prints will contain orlly the
information framed hy the camera operator. FIG. 4 illustra~es
how the correct height of the frame in FIG. 3, value a,is
transferred to the correct height, value a, of the anamorphic
format. It is unlik:ely that an anamorphic print will be
misframed, since any error in projection will result in the
frarneline being visible.
Focus tolerances would be'improved, because of the
greater depth of focus offered by anamorphic projection
lenses, which, for a given screen height, are l-~ inch
longer than those used in 1.~5:1 flat projection. The
increase in depth of focus will minimize not only focus
drift through a reel but also the bad effects of film
movement in the aperture. In addition, the fact that
1.66:1 anamorphic prints use the center 69% of the width of
the'standard anamorphic projection lens means that edge-to-
edge sharpness will be improved.
Focus will also be aided because the'almost-square image
on prints in the present invention would be heated more'
evenly and would have less of a hot-spot problem. The
larger print area for the smaller sc-reen will help improve'
illumination and will decrease the visihility of dirt and
scratches. And, because of the increase in ~rojection
aperture height, problems with shifting framelines, due to
printer ~isalignment, and with registration, because of a
faulty intermittent mechanism, would be reduced 57%.
To many people in the motion-picture i.ndustry, the
'1.85:1 flat wide-screen system's main fault is its wasting of
36% of purchased print stock.. By contrast, the anamorphic
format uses 0.700 lnch of the 0.748 inch height of a 35mm
frame~ while the ]..85:1 fl.at wide-screen fornlat ~Ises only
- 12 -
2 d 75
0.446 inch. Thus, ~540 of the ~1,500 spent for a release
print in the 1.85:1 format is not seen on the screen.
It is proposed to apply the present lnvention to the
2.20:1 aspect ratio, to offer an option to directors who
wish to use a frame wider than 1.66:1, but would preer not
to use long focal-length anamorphic lenses. Inasmuch as very
few theaters project the fu11 2.40:1 ratio for arlamorphic
films, and instead crop the sides to varying degrees, ~?ith
2:1 representing the average worst-case, the 2.20:1 ratio
can be considered the realistic maximum width. Additionally,
this ratio would simplify blow-up to 7~mm, since 2.20:1
is the aspect ratio of 70mm projection apertures.
In an embodiment of the present invention, films
photographed in the standard 1at system, using the AcADE~iy*
centerline, illustrated in FIG. 1, could be transferred to
anamorphic prints as described for the present invention.
This application would receive all of the benefits cIa;med
for the present invention with the exception, of course, of
increased negative image area.
In a similar embodiment of the present invention, prints
from original material photographed in ~he format known as
SU~ER 16*~ as illustrated in FIG. 5, could be made according
to the specifications of the present invention. ~s a result,
the complete 1.66:1 ra~io of thé original material will be
seen on the screen, compared to the cropping of the image
which results when flat 35mm wide-screen prints from
SUP~R 16*negatives are projected with a 1.85:1 aperture plateO
As indicated in Table I; there is no increase in magnification
needed for prints in the present invention (~olu~l 3, line D),
compared to standard flat wide-screen prints (Column 2,
line D).
In a further embodim~nt of the present invention, material
phvtographed on an eIectronic medium,e.g., high-definitio~
* TRADE h'LARK
~9~
-Jideotape, can be transferred to anamorphic prints as
described in the present invention.
Photographing a motion picture in the 1.~5:1 wide-~creen
system while simultaneously taking into consideration
framing for future television release has historically
involved many compromises. If it i.s intended to exhihit a
contact print from the negative on television, it is common
to keep microphones and lights outside of the complete
ACADEMY*aperture, which is illustrated as value b in FIG. 1.
This procedure results not only in "loose" composition on
television, since the image was framed for correct 1.85:1
headroom, illustrated by value~a, but also in handicaps
placed on sound and lighting personnel, as they are unable
to get close to the actors for fear of having microphones
and lights visible on television, not to mention in
misframed projection in many theaters.
Overcoming another limitation of prior art, in a
further embodiment of the present invention, motion pictures
photographed in the preferred embodiment could be transferred
to videotape or 1.33:1 television film prints, deriving -the
1.33:1 aspect ratio in both cases from the center of the
1.66~1 projectable image area, as indicated by value b in
FIG. 3.
Thus, said films would have the correct frame height,
FIG. 3, value a, in both 1.66:1 theatrical prints and in
1.33:1 television release. This embodiment will facilitate
both the exhibition of television motion pictures theatrically,
and the exhibition of theatrical motion pictures on televisior~,
including release on videotape and videodisc, and networlc
and cable broadcast.
Furthermore, the 1.33:1 a~ea extracted from the negative
of the preferred ernbodiment ~Table I, Colurnn l, line ~)
will have an image area 21% larger than that o the standar-l
television "safe action" area (Table ~, ~olurmn 2, line E).
- 14 -
* T ? ~ ' 7 }~ K
~92 J '75
In a still further embodiment of the present invention,
a negative photographed in the preferred em~odiment
could be used as origi.nal material for a motion picture which
would be distributed in a wide-screen "high-deinition"
video format.
It is understood that the present invention is
primarily concerned with full-aperture 35mm negatives
and anamorphic 35mm prints, and can he duplicated using
any means, including, but not limited to, standard color
reversal intermediate and interpositive/internegative film
processes, proposed digital film printers, and the like.
Many modifications in the improvement of motion
picture image quality can be made in the light of my teachings.
It is understood that within the scope of the claims, the
invention can be practiced otherwise than as described.
15 -
