MOTION-PICTURE SYNTHESIZING METHOD

Abstract: When a first image on a first motion-picture film and a second image on a second motion-picture film are combined, the first image is converted to video signals and subjected to predetermined video signal processing so as to prepare an intermediate film and a mask film necessary for a film synthesizing operation. The intermediate film and the mask film are superposed on a blank film to prepare a latent image. The second motion-picture film and a mask film are superposed to obtain a latent image, and these latent images are double-exposed. In this manner, there can be accomplished a motion-picture synthesizing method which can easily produce a synthetic motion-picture film by superposing the first image with the second image with a high level of accuracy.

Description: This invention relates to a motion picture film composition method, and is suitably applied to, for example, composition of a motion picture film on which a foreground picture is imaged and another motion picture film on which a background picture is imaged. Background Art Conventionally, for filmmaking, a film composition method using an optical technique is used when a motion picture film on which a foreground picture of, for example, a piece of furniture is imaged separately (hereinafter referred to as "foreground film") is superimposed on another motion picture film on which a background picture of, for example, a landscape is imaged (hereinafter referred to as "background film"). In this method, a foreground film is first used to make a motion picture film consisting of a pattern covering the area other than the foreground (hereinafter referred to as "female mask film") by optical means. Then this female mask film is optically reversed to make a motion picture film having a mask pattern covering the portion in a background film corresponding to the foreground of the foreground film (hereinafter referred to as "male mask film"). A latent image of the foreground alone obtained by superposing the foreground film and the female mask film and a latent image of the background including no part of the foreground obtained by superposing the background film and the male mask film are superimposed on a raw film. The foreground film and the background film are optically combined in this manner to make a motion picture film in which the foreground picture is superposed on the background picture. The film composition method using this optical technique requires a complicated process for making various mask films and intermediate films and optically combining these films. It is difficult to preestimate the final result during intermediate processing for making mask films and intermediate films and, in fact, a highly expert technique is required to obtain a predicted result in a short time. UK Patent Specification No. GB-A-787 759 discloses a motion picture film composition method of an entirely optical nature, and US Patent No. US-A-3 595 987 discloses such a method which uses video equipment. A film composition method is therefore used in which conventional motion picture films are converted, by telecinematography, into video signals in accordance with high-definition television (HDTV) signals to effect electrical image composition on the video signals, and composite video signals thereby obtained are recorded on a film by an electron beam picture recording apparatus to combine foreground and background films, thereby making a combined motion picture film in which a foreground picture is superimposed on a background picture. That is, as shown in Fig. 9, a background film F BK on which a background picture PIC BK is imaged is converted into a video signal through a telecinematographic unit 1A, thereby preparing a video tape T BK on which a background video signal VD BK is recorded. Also, a foreground film F FR in which a foreground picture PIC FR is imaged on a so-called blue back B BK is converted into a video signal through a telecinematographic unit 1B, thereby preparing a video tape T FR on which a foreground video signal VD FR is recorded. Video tapes T BK and T FR obtained in this manner are simultaneously played back by a video tape recorder (VTR), and a background video signal VD BK and a foreground video signal VD FR thereby obtained are input to a video signal composition unit 2 having a line-chromakey construction. Video signal composition unit 2 is constituted by a mask signal generator 3 and a switching circuit 4. Background video signal VD BK and foreground video signal VD FR are supplied to first and second input terminals a and b of switching circuit 4. Foreground video signal VD FR is also input to mask signal generator 3. Mask signal generator 3 then generates a male mask signal S MMSK for masking the area of foreground film F FR other than blue back B BK and supplies this signal to switching circuit 4 as a signal for changeover control of switching circuit 4. Switching circuit 4 controls selection of the first or second input terminals a and b during one-line period of background video signal VD BK and foreground video signal VD FR in accordance with male mask signal S MMSK , and a composite video signal VD WA thereby obtained through an output terminal c is recorded by a VTR to make a video tape T WA . Video tape T WA is played back at a low speed for electron beam picture recording by an electron beam picture recorder 5, and composite video signal VD WA is recorded on a raw film by electron beam picture recording. Thus, background film F FR and foreground film F BK are combined to make a combined motion picture film F WA in which foreground picture PIC FR is superposed on background picture PIC BK . In a case where a combined motion picture film is made by using the video signal composition processing technique as described above, it is necessary to convert foreground film F FR and background film F BK into video signals VD FR and VD BK , respectively. There is therefore the problem of a deterioration of the image quality of the combined motion picture film F WA finally obtained relative to the qualities of the original motion picture films F FR and F BK due to limitation of the VTR band and other causes. To solve this problem, a motion picture film composition method may be used in which only foreground film F FR obtained by imaging foreground picture PIC FR is converted into foreground video signal VD FR and the converted signal undergoes predetermined video signal processing, whereby advantages of film composition in terms of resolution and color development are maintained. In this method, a mask signal is generated by a video signal composition technique using foreground video signal VD FR and is recorded on a film with an electron beam video recorder to facilitate mask film preparation most laborious and delicate in the film composition process. That is, as shown in Fig. 10 on which the pre-characterising part of claim 1 hereof is based and in which components corresponding to those of Fig. 9 are indicated by the same reference symbols, foreground film F FR is converted into a video signal by telecinematographic unit 1B, and foreground video signal VD FR thereby obtained is recorded by a VTR to make video tape T FR . This video tape T FR is played back at a low speed for electron beam picture recording by a first electron beam picture recorder 5A while being processed by reverse color composition, so that foreground video signal VD FR is recorded on a film by electron beam picture recording, thereby recording a second foreground film F FR1 consisting of a positive image corresponding to foreground film F FR . Independently of this recording, video tape T FR is played back by a VTR and foreground video signal VD FR thereby obtained is input to mask signal generator 3 of video signal composition unit 2. Mask signal generator 3 thereby generates male mask signal S MMSK masking the area of foreground film F FR other than blue back B BK , and this signal is recorded by a VTR to make a video tape T MMSK on which a male mask video signal VD MMSK is recorded. Video tape T MMSK is played back at a low speed for electron beam picture recording by a second electron beam picture recorder 5B while being processed by black-and-white composition, so that male mask video signal VD MMSK is recorded on a film by electron beam picture recording, thereby recording a male mask film F MMSK . A raw back-and-white film is exposed while superposing male mask film F MMSK on the raw film and is developed to form a female mask film F FMSK reversed from male mask film F MMSK . Thereafter, according to this film composition method, an optical printer constituted by a main projector and a film camera is used in such a manner that foreground film F FR1 and female mask film F FMSK are set on the main projector by being superposed in a double superposition magazine called bi-pack, and a negative film in the film camera is exposed to the light image of these films. Then, after the negative film in the film camera has been rewound, background film F BK and male mask film F MMSK are set on the main projector by a bi-pack, and the negative film in the film camera is exposed again to the light image of these films. For this step, a so-called areal printer having two beam splitters may be used instead of the optical printer to perform exposure only one time for the same effect as the above operations. In either case, a first latent image I L1 obtained by superposing foreground film F FR1 and female mask film F FMSK as described above and a second latent image I L2 obtained by superposing background film F BK and male mask film F MMSK are combined and developed to combine background film F BK and foreground film F FR , thereby making a combined motion picture film F WA1 in which foreground picture PIC FR is superposed on background picture PIC BK . In the case of combined motion picture film F WA1 thus obtained, in contrast with combined motion picture film F WA obtained by video signal composition processing of video signals VD BK and VD FR of background films F BK and foreground film F FR as described above, background film F BK can be converted into a final combined picture without any restriction due to limitation of the VTR band, and it is possible to make superposed motion picture film F WA1 correspondingly improved in image quality, although a labor for making mask films F MMSK and F FMSK is required. In the case of this motion picture film composition method, however, the timing of making second foreground film F FR1 by electron beam picture recording and the timing of making male mask film F MMSK actually differs from each other, and the characteristics of the electron beam picture recorders therefore vary slightly, resulting in occurrence of an error in determining the picture position or size in combined motion picture film F WA1 and, hence, failure to achieve a degree of film composition accuracy required for strict film superposition. The characteristics of the electron beam picture recorders vary according to the increase in the temperature of the deflection yoke, drift of the deflection drive circuit, the difference between the vacuums of electron beam electrodes or other factors. According to the present invention there is provided a motion picture film composition method for combining a first motion picture film on which a first picture is imaged and a second motion picture film on which a second picture is imaged to produce a combined motion picture film, the method comprising: converting the first motion picture film into a video signal; processing the video signal to form an intermediate film and at least one mask film; exposing on a raw film a first latent image produced by superposing the second motion picture film and said mask film; and also exposing on said raw film a second latent image produced from said intermediate film, thereby to produce said combined motion picture film; characterised in that the step of processing the video signal includes: producing a composition operation film which includes both first frames derived from the first motion picture film and second frames containing mask information; forming said intermediate film from said first frames of the composition operation film; and forming said at least one mask film from said second frames of the composition operation film. The first latent image obtained by supcrposing the second motion picture film and a said mask film and the second latent image produced from the intermediate film are imaged for double exposure, followed by development. The first motion picture film and the second motion picture film are thereby combined with high accuracy so that a combined motion picture film in which the second picture is combined with (e.g. superposed on) the first picture can bc formcd easily. In this regard, in contrast to the method of Fig. 10, in which (as explaincd above) an intermediate film (the second foreground film F FR1 ) and mask films are formed using separate electron beam recorders, whereby a timing difficulty is produced, in the present invention the intermediate film and the mask film or films are produced from the composition operation film, as set forth above, whereby the first and second motion picture films can be combined with high accuracy. The invention will now be further described, by way of illustrative and non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a motion picture film composition method in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram for explanation of film composition processing of this method; Fig. 3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the motion picture film composition method in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram for explanation of film composition processing of this method; Fig. 5 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the motion picture film composition method in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram for explanation of film composition processing of this method; Fig. 7 is a block diagram of a fourth embodiment of the motion picture film composition method in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram for explanation of film composition processing of this method; and Figs. 9 and 10 are schematic diagrams for explanation of the conventional motion picture composition method. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. (1) First Embodiment Referring to Fig. 1 in which components corresponding to those shown in Fig. 10 are indicated by the same reference characters, the whole of a video signal processing apparatus for executing a motion picture film composition method in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is indicated by 10. A video tape T FR on which a foreground video signal VD FR is recorded is played tack by a first reproducing VTR 11A, and a foreground video signal VD FR thereby obtained is supplied to an input terminal a of a switch circuit 12 and supplied to a VTR 13 for edition picture recording through an output terminal c of the switch 12. Similarly, a video tape T MMSK on which a male mask signal S MMSK is recorded is played back by a second reproducing VTR 11B, and a foreground video signal VD MMSK thereby obtained is supplied to an input terminal b of the switch circuit 12 and supplied to the edition picture recording VTR 13 through the output terminal c. Frame pulses P FRMO each generated in accordance with the timing of one frame of the video signals are sent from the edition picture recording VTR 13 to a VTR control circuit 14. The VTR control circuit 14 thereby sends to the first and second reproducing VTRs 11A and 11B VTR control signals CNT V1 and CNT V2 for alternatively performing the reproduction and stop operations of these VTRs every frame. The VTR control circuit 14 also sends to the switch circuit 12 a switch changeover signal CNT SWO for selecting the input terminal a or b of the VTR 11A or 11B with respect to each frame during reproduction, thereby executing so-called AB roll editing of video signals output from the first and second reproducing VTRs 11A and 11B. A video tape T FRMM is thereby made on which is recorded a composition video signal such that foreground video signal VD FR and male mask video signal VD MMSK are alternatively repeated every frame. Video tape T FRMM is played back by a low-speed reproduction VTR 15 for electron beam picture recording. Of video signals VD R , VD G and VD B for three colors thereby obtained, a red video signal VD R is delayed by a first delay circuit 16A to a predetermined extent and is supplied to a red input terminal R of an electron beam picture recording unit 17. Also, a green video signal VD G is supplied to an input terminal a of a first switch circuit 18A. In first switch circuit 18A, a first or second output terminal b or c is selected according to control using a switch control signal CNT SW1 . The green video signal VD G is thereby input to a second delay circuit 16B or an inverting amplifier circuit 19, and each of output signals therefrom is supplied to a green input terminal G of the electron beam picture recording unit 17 through an output terminal c of a second switch circuit 20A which operates by being linked to the first switch circuit 18A to select a first or second input terminal a or b. Further, a blue video signal VD B is supplied to an input terminal a of a third switch circuit 18B. In third switch circuit 18B, a first or second output terminal b or c is selected according to control using switch control signal CNT SW1 . The blue video signal VD B is thereby input to a third delay circuit 16C or a soft edge formation circuit 21, and each of output signals therefrom is supplied to a blue input terminal B of the electron beam picture recording unit 17 through an output terminal c of a fourth switch circuit 20B which operates by being linked to the third switch circuit 18B to select a first or second input terminal a or b. Frame pulses P FRM1 each generated in accordance with the timing of one frame of a low-speed reproduced video signal are supplied from the low-speed reproduction VTR 15 to a switch signal generation circuit 22. The switch signal generation circuit 22 thereby outputs switch control signal CNT SW1 having a value changed every third frame. The first output terminals b of the first and third switch circuits 18A and 18B and the first input terminals a of the second and fourth switch circuits 20A and 20B are thereby selected during the period of time for three frames in which three-color video signals VD R , VD G and VD B corresponding to foreground video signal VD FR in composite video signal VD FRMM are output. Conversely, during the period of time for three frames in which three-color video signals VD R , VD G and VD B corresponding to male mask video signal VD MMSK are output, the second output terminals c of the first and third switch circuits 18A and 18B and the second input terminals b of the second and fourth switch circuits 20A and 20B are thereby selected. The delay circuits 16A to 16C have a delay time equal to the period of time for passage of video signals VD G and VD B through the inverting amplifier 19 and the soft edge formation circuit 21, thereby adjusting the times at which three-color video signals VD R , VD G and VD B are respectively supplied to the red input terminal R, the green input terminal G and the blue input terminal B of the electron beam picture recording unit 17. Thus, three-color video signals VD R , VD G , and VD B corresponding to foreground video signals VD FR , male mask video signal VD MMSK , female mask video signal VD FMSK obtained by reversing male mask video signal VD MMSK , and soft male mask video signal VD SMMSK obtained by outline-softening male mask video signal VD MMSK are supplied successively and alternately to the red input terminal R, the green input terminal G and the blue input terminal B of the electron beam picture recording unit 17. The electron beam picture recording unit 17 then records video signals VD R , VD G , VD B , and VD MMSK , VD FSK , and VD SMMSK supplied to the red input terminal R, the green input terminal G and the blue input terminal B on a black and white film, thereby forming a film F 10 for composition operation. In practice, as shown in Fig. 2, black and white foreground films F FRR , F FRG , F FRB , female mask film F FMSK0 , male mask film F MMSK and soft female mask film F SFMSK are successively recorded on composition operation film F 10 every six films. In the case of the motion picture film composition method in accordance with this embodiment, black and white foreground films F FRR , F FRG , F FRB in the thus-obtained composition operation film F 10 are combined to expose one frame of reversal color film through corresponding red, green and blue filters, thereby forming a foreground film F FR10 having a positive image on a blue back. Similarly, with respect to female mask film F FMSK0 , male mask film F MMSK0 and soft female mask film F SFMSK of composition operation film F 10 , the above-mentioned optical printer is operated in a six-frame skip mode to effect reversal printing of each film on a black and white film, thereby forming a male mask film F MMSK1 , a female mask film F FMSK1 and a soft male mask film F SMMSK1 . Further, this soft male mask film FS MMSK1 is printed on a black and white film by contact printing to be black-and-white reversed, thereby forming a soft female mask film F SFMSK1 . Then, according to this motion picture film composition method, background film F BK is set on a main projector, male mask film F MMSK1 and soft male mask film F SMMSK1 are superposed in a bi-pack to be set on an areal projector, and these films are imaged by a camera loaded with a color negative film to expose the same to form a latent image I L10 . Thereafter, foreground film F FR10 is set on the main projector, male mask film F FMSK1 and soft female mask film F SFMSK1 are superposed in a bi-pack to be set on the areal projector, and these films are imaged by the camera loaded with the color negative film exposed to have the latent image I L10 and thereafter rewound. A latent image I L11 is thereby formed over the latent image I L10 in a double exposure manner, and these images are developed to combine background film F BK and foreground film F FR , thereby making a combined motion picture film F WA10 in which foreground picture PIC FR is superposed on background picture PIC BK . In the thus-obtained combined motion picture film FW A10 , in contrast with combined motion picture film F WA described above with reference to Fig. 9, background film F FR can be converted into the final combined image without any restriction to VTR band limitation, and combined motion picture film F WA10 correspondingly improved in image quality can be made, although a certain amount of labor is required to make mask films F MMSK1 and F FMSK1 and soft mask films F SMMSK1 and F SFMSK1 . In the combined motion picture film F WA10 , in contrast with combined motion picture film F WA1 described above with reference to Fig. 10, black and white foreground films F FRR , F FRG , and F FRB from which foreground film F FR10 is formed, female mask film F FMSKO , male mask film F MMSK0 and soft female mask film F SFMSK from which male mask film F MMSK1 , female mask film F FMSK1 and soft male mask film F SMMSK1 are formed can be recorded simultaneously on composition operation film F 10 by electron beam recording. It is thereby possible to prevent the influence of changes in characteristics due to changes in electron beam recording unit 17 at the time of recording and, hence, to obtain combined motion picture film F WA10 free from errors in image position and image size. Further, in the case of combined motion picture film F WA10 , male mask video signal VD MMSK obtained from foreground video signal VD FR is video-signal-processed to form soft female mask video signal VD SFMSK which is recorded by electron beam recording to obtain soft mask films F SMMSK1 and F SFMSK1 , thus making it easy to make a soft mask film which is very difficult to realize by optical means. Since film composition processing is effected by using this film, if an unnatural portion exists at the boundary between background picture PIC BK and foreground picture PIC FR , it can be removed effectively and a combined picture further improved in terms of naturalness can be obtained. In accordance with the above-described method, foreground film F FR is processed telecinematographically to be converted into foreground video signal VD FR , this foreground video signal VD FR and male mask video signal obtained from this are processed in accordance with predetermined video processing so that black and white foreground films F FRR , F FRG , and F FRB from which foreground film F FR10 for film composition operation is formed, female mask film F FMSKO , male mask film F MMSK0 and soft female mask film F SFMSK from which male mask film F MMSK1 , female mask film F FMSK1 and soft male mask film FS MMSK1 are formed are recorded simultaneously by electron beam recording, and latent image I L10 obtained by superposing background film F FR , male mask film F MMSK1 and soft male mask film F SMMSK1 and latent image I L11 obtained by superposing foreground film F FR10 , female mask film F FMSK1 and soft female mask film F SFMSK1 are imaged by double exposure. It is thereby possible to realize a motion picture film composition method which makes it possible to make combined motion picture film F WA10 in which foreground picture PIC FR is superposed on background picture PIC BK by combining background film F FR and foreground film F BK with high accuracy while effectively eliminating unnaturalness. (2) Second Embodiment Referring to Fig. 3 in which components corresponding to those shown in Fig. 1 are indicated by the same reference characters, the whole of a video signal processing apparatus for executing a motion picture film composition method in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention is indicated by 30. A video tape T FR on which a foreground video signal VD FR is recorded is played back by a reproducing VTR 31, and a reproduction signal is input to a video signal processing circuit 32. Video signal processing circuit 32 includes a chromakey and combines foreground video signal VD FR and female mask video signal VD FMSK formed by the chromakey with respect to each frame of foreground video signal VD FR to generate a first composite video signal VD MIX1 . A red component, a green component and a blue component of first composite video signal VD MIX1 are respectively supplied to corresponding terminals of a first picture recording VTR 33A, i.e., a red input terminal R, a green input terminal G and a blue input terminal B to form a video tape T MIX1 on which first composite video signal VD MIX1 is recorded. Video signal processing circuit 32 generates female mask video signal VD FMSK and a low-contrast soft female mask video signal VD LSFMSK obtained by reducing the contrast of female mask video signal VD FMSK and edge-softening the same, and supplies these signals to a red input terminal R and a green input terminal G of a second picture recording VTR 33B, respectively. A blue input terminal B of the second picture recording VTR 33B is always grounded to input black level. A video tape T MIX2 is thereby formed on which is recorded a second composite video signal VD MIX2 consisting of female mask video signal VD FMSK , low-contrast soft female mask video signal VD LSFMSK and a black level video signal. Video tapes T MIX1 and T MIX2 thus obtained are respectively played back by reproducing VTRs 34A and 34B. First and second composite video signals VD MIX1 and VD MIX2 thereby obtained are respectively supplied to first and second input terminals a and b of a switch circuit 35 and input to an edition picture recording VTR 36 through an output terminal c of the switch circuit 35. Frame pulses P FRM2 each generated in accordance with the timing of one frame of the video signals are sent from the edition picture recording VTR 36 to a VTR control circuit 37. The VTR control circuit 37 thereby sends to the first and second reproducing VTRs 34A and 34B VTR control signals CNT V1 and CNT V2 for alternatively performing the reproduction and stop operations of these VTRs every three frames. The VTR control circuit 37 also sends to the switch circuit 35 a switch changeover signal CNT SW1O for selecting the input terminal a or b of the VTR 34A or 34B every three frames during reproduction. The edition picture recording VTR 36 thereby executes so-called AB roll editing of video signals VD MIX1 and VD MIX2 output from the first and second reproducing VTRs 34A and 34B every three frames. A video tape T MIX10 is thereby made on which are recorded red, green and blue components of a composite video signal VD MIX1 formed by combining foreground video signal VD FR and female mask video signal VD FMSK alternately every three frames, female mask video signal VD FMSK , low-contrast soft female mask video signal VD LSFMSK , and the black level video signal. This video tape T MIX10 is played back at a low speed by electron beam picture recording unit 38, and a composite video signal VD MIX10 thereby obtained is recorded on a black and white film by electron beam recording, thereby forming a composition operation film F 20 . In practice, as shown in Fig. 4, black and white foreground films F MFRR , F MFRG , AND F MFRB corresponding to the red, green and blue components of first composite video signal VD MIX1 formed by combining foreground video signal VD FR and female mask video signal VD FMSK made by the chromakey, a female mask film F FMSK2 , a low-contrast soft female mask film F LSFMSK and a black film F BLK corresponding to second composite video signal VD MIX2 consisting of female mask video signal VD FMSK2 , low-contrast soft female mask video signal VD LSFMSK and black video signal are successively recorded on composition operation film F 20 every six films. In the case of the motion picture film composition method in accordance with this embodiment, black and white foreground films F MFRR , F MFRG , F MFRB in the thus-obtained composition operation film F20 are combined to expose one frame of reversal color film through corresponding red, green and blue filters, thereby forming a foreground film F MFR having a positive image in a male mask. Similarly, with respect to female mask film F FMSK2 and low-contrast soft female mask film F LSFMSK of composition operation film F 20 , the above-mentioned optical printer is operated in a six-frame skip mode to effect reversal printing of each film on a black and white film, thereby forming a male mask film F MMSK2 and a low-contrast soft male mask film F LSMMSK . Then, according to this motion picture film composition method, background film F BK is set on a main projector, male mask film F MMSK2 and low-contrast soft male mask film F LSMMSK are superposed in a bi-pack to be set on an areal projector, and these films are imaged by a camera loaded with a color negative film to expose the same to form a latent image I L20 . Thereafter, foreground film F MFR is set on the main projector and is imaged by the camera loaded with the color negative film exposed to have the latent image I L20 and thereafter rewound. A latent image I L21 is thereby formed over the latent image I L20 in a double exposure manner, and these images are developed to combine background film F FR and foreground film F BK , thereby making a combined motion picture film F WA20 in which foreground picture PIC FR is superposed on background picture PIC BK . The thus-obtained combined motion picture film FW A20 has generally the same image qualities as combined motion picture film F WA10 described above with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, and black and white foreground films F MFRR , F MFRG , and F MFRB from which foreground film F MFR10 for film composition operation is formed and female mask film F FMSK2 and low-contrast soft female mask film FLSFMSK from which male mask film F MMSK2 and low-contrast soft male mask film F LSFMSK are formed can be simultaneously recorded by electron beam recording. It is thereby possible to prevent the influence of changes in characteristics due to changes in electron beam recording unit 17 at the time of recording and, hence, to obtain combined motion picture film F WA20 free from errors in image position and image size. Further, in the case of combined motion picture film F WA20 , male mask video signal VD MMSK obtained from foreground video signal VD FR is video-signal-processed to form low-contrast soft female mask film F LSFMSK which is used for film composition processing. It is thereby possible to obtain combined motion picture film F WA20 further improved in terms of naturalness by effectively removing unnatural portion existing at the boundary between background picture PIC BK and foreground picture PIC FR . In accordance with the above-described method, foreground film F BK is processed telecinematographically to be converted into a video signal, this foreground video signal VD FR and mask video signal VD MMSK obtained from foreground video signal VD FR are processed by predetermined video processing so that black and white foreground films F MFRR , F MFRG , and F MFRB from which foreground film F MFR for film composition operation is formed by composition on a female mask, and mask films F FMSK and F LSFMSK from which mask films F MMSK3 and F LSMMSK for film composition operation are formed are recorded simultaneously by electron beam recording, and latent image I L20 obtained by superposing background film F FR , mask films F MMSK2 and F LSMMSK and latent image I L21 of foreground film F MFR are imaged by double exposure. It is thereby possible to realize a motion picture film composition method which makes it possible to make combined motion picture film F WA20 in which foreground picture PIC FR is superposed on background picture PIC BK by combining background film F FR and foreground film F BK with high accuracy while effectively eliminating unnaturalness. According to the above-described method, foreground film F MFR combined on a female mask by video-signal-processing foreground video signal VD FR , and the step of preparing female mask film F FMSK1 for film composition operation can therefore be removed, in contrast with the first embodiment. (3) Third Embodiment Referring to Fig. 5 in which components corresponding to those shown in Fig. 1 are indicated by the same reference characters, the whole of a video signal processing apparatus for executing a motion picture film composition method in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention is indicated by 40. This video signal processing apparatus is arranged for application to superposition of motion picture films F BK and F FR consisting of background picture PIC BK and foreground picture PIC FR such that occurrence of an unnatural portion at the boundary in the motion picture composition method in accordance with the first embodiment can be prevented. That is, in this case, a video tape T FRMM on which a combined video signal VD FRMM in which foreground video signal VD FR and male mask video signal VD MMSK are alternately repeated every frame is recorded by edition picture recording VTR 13 is set in electron beam picture recording unit 17 to be played back at a low speed for electron beam picture recording and is recorded on three frames of black and white film with respect to each of its frame, thereby forming a first composition operation film F 30 . In practice, as shown in Fig. 6, black and white foreground films F FRR , F FRG , AND F FRB corresponding to red, green and blue components of foreground video signal VD FR and three frames of female mask film F FMSK3 formed by reversing male mask video signal VD MMSK are successively recorded on first composition operation film F 30 every six films. In the case of the motion picture film composition method in accordance with this embodiment, first composition operation film F 30 obtained in this manner is processed for color composition every three frames, black and white foreground films F FRR , F FRG , AND F FRB are thereby combined to expose one frame of reversal color film through corresponding red, green and blue filters to form a foreground film F FR20 having a positive image on a blue back, and subsequent three frames of female mask film FFMSK3 are combined to expose one frame of reversal color film through the red, green and blue filters, thereby forming a male mask film F MMSK2 . A second composition operation film F 31 is thereby formed on which foreground film F FR20 and male mask film F MMSK are alternately recorded every frame. With respect to fore ground film F FR20 of the second composition operation film F 31 , the optical printer is operated in a one-frame skip mode to effect composition exposure of a reversal color film, thereby forming a foreground film F FR21 having a positive image on a blue back. Similarly, with respect to male mask film F MMSK2 of the second composition operation film F 31 , the optical printer is operated in a one-frame skip mode to effect exposure of a black and white film, thereby forming a female mask film F FMSK4 reversed from male mask film F MMSK2 . Further, this female mask film F FMSK4 is printed on a black and white film by contact printing, thereby forming a male mask film F MMSK3 black-and-white reversed from female mask film F FMSK4 . Then, according to this motion picture film composition method, background film F BK and male mask film F MMSK3 are superposed in a bi-pack to be set on an optical projector and are imaged by a camera loaded with a color negative film to expose the same to form a latent image I L30 . Thereafter, foreground film F FR21 and female mask film F FMSK4 are superposed in a bi-pack to be set on the optical projector and are imaged by the camera loaded with the color negative film exposed to have the latent image I L30 and thereafter rewound. A latent image I L31 is thereby formed over the latent image I L30 in a double exposure manner, and these images are developed to combine background film F FR and foreground film F BK , thereby making a combined motion picture film F WA30 in which foreground picture PIC FR is superposed on background picture PIC BK . According to the above-described method, no unnatural portion is formed at the boundary at the time of superposition of motion picture films and a film composition operation can be performed to combine background picture PIC BK and foreground picture PIC FR on a film without forming any soft mask. It is thus possible to realize a simpler motion picture composition method having such effects. (4) Fourth Embodiment Referring to Fig. 7 in which components corresponding to those shown in Fig. 3 are indicated by the same reference characters, the whole of a video signal processing apparatus for executing a motion picture film composition method in accordance with the fourth embodiment of the present invention is indicated by 50. This video signal processing apparatus is arranged for application to superposition of motion picture films F BK and F FR consisting of background picture PIC BK and foreground picture PIC FR such that occurrence of an unnatural portion at the boundary in the motion picture composition method in accordance with the second embodiment can be prevented. In this case, a video tape T FR on which a foreground video signal VD FR is recorded is played back by a reproducing VTR 31, and a reproduction signal is input to a video signal processing circuit 51. Video signal processing circuit 51 includes a chromakey and combines foreground video signal VD FR and female mask video signal VD FMSK formed by the chromakey with respect to each frame of foreground video signal VD FR to generate a first composite video signal VD MIX1 . A red component, a green component and a blue component of first composite video signal VD MIX1 are respectively supplied to corresponding terminals of a first picture recording VTR 33A, i.e., a red input terminal R, a green input terminal G and a blue input terminal B to form a video tape T MIX1 on which first composite video signal VD MIX1 is recorded. In the case of this embodiment, female mask video signal VD FMSK is supplied from video signal processing circuit 51 to a second picture recording VTR 33B to form a video table TM IX20 on which female video signal VD FMSK for three frames is recorded. Video tapes T MIX1 and T MIX2 thus obtained are respectively played back by reproducing VTRs 34A and 34B. First and second composite video signals VD MIX1 and VD MIX20 thereby obtained are respectively supplied to first and second input terminals a and b of a switch circuit 35 and input to an edition picture recording VTR 36 through an output terminal c of the switch circuit 35. Frame pulses P FRM2 each generated in accordance with the timing of one frame of the video signals are sent from the edition picture recording VTR 36 to a VTR control circuit 37. The VTR control circuit 37 thereby sends to the first and second reproducing VTRs 34A and 34B VTR control signals CNT V10 and CNT V11 for alternatively performing the reproduction and stop operations of these VTRs every three frames. The VTR control circuit 37 also sends to the switch circuit 35 a switch changeover signal CNT SW1O for selecting the input terminal a or b of the VTR 34A or 34B every three frames during reproduction. The edition picture recording VTR 36 thereby executes so-called AB roll editing of video signals VD MIX1 and VD MIX20 output from the first and second reproducing VTRs 34A and 34B every three frames. A video tape T MIX21 is thereby made on which are recorded red, green and blue components of a composite video signal VD MIX21 formed by combining foreground video signal VD FR and female mask video signal VD FMSK alternately every three frames, and female mask video signal VD FMSK . This video tape T MIX21 is played back at a low speed by an electron beam picture recording unit 38, and a composite video signal VD MIX21 thereby obtained is recorded on a black and white film by electron beam recording, thereby forming a composition operation film F 40 . In practice, as shown in Fig. 8, black and white foreground films F MFRR , F MFRG , AND F MFRB corresponding to the red, green and blue components of first composite video signal VD MIX21 formed by combining foreground video signal VD FR and female mask video signal VD FMSK made by the chromakey, three frames of female mask film F FMSK5 are successively recorded on composition operation film F 40 every six films. In the case of the motion picture film composition method in accordance with this embodiment, black and white foreground films F MFRR , F MFRG , F MFRB in the thus-obtained composition operation film F 40 are combined to expose one frame of reversal color film through corresponding red, green and blue filters, thereby forming a foreground film F MFR1 having a positive image in a male mask. Similarly, female mask film F FMSK5 of composition operation film F 40 is printed on a black and white film to form a male mask film F MMSK4 . Then, according to this motion picture film composition method, background film F BK and male mask film F MMSK4 are superposed in a bi-pack to be set on an areal projector, and these films are imaged by a camera loaded with a color negative film to expose the same to form a latent image I L40 . Thereafter, foreground film F MFR1 is set on the main projector and is imaged by the camera loaded with the color negative film exposed to have the latent image I L40 and thereafter rewound. A latent image I L41 is thereby formed over the latent image I L40 in a double exposure manner, and these images are developed to combine background film F FR and foreground film F BK , thereby making a combined motion picture film F WA40 in which foreground picture PIC FR is superposed on background picture PIC BK . According to the above-described method, no unnatural portion is formed at the boundary at the time of superposition of motion picture films and a film composition operation can be performed to combine background picture PIC BK and foreground picture PIC FR on a film without forming any soft mask. It is thus possible to realize a simpler motion picture composition method having such effects. (5) Fifth Embodiment (5-1) In the above-described embodiments, an optical printer and an areal printer having a bi-pack are employed as optical apparatuses for double printing or double exposure of mask films, picture motion films and the like. However, these apparatus are not exclusive in accordance with the present invention. Any other type of optical apparatuses can be used so long as double printing or double exposure can be performed as described above. (5-2) In the above-described embodiments, an electron beam picture recording unit is used at the time of recording of a video signal on a motion picture film. However, this is not exclusive and any other recording unit such as a laser picture recording unit may be used to achieve the same effects as the above-described embodiments. (5-3) In the above-described embodiments, a motion picture film on which foreground picture PIC FR is imaged is video-signal-processed. According to the present invention, the arrangement may alternatively be such that a motion picture film on which background picture PIC BK is imaged is video-signal-processed to make a mask film and an intermediate film, and a motion picture film on which foreground picture PIC FR is imaged and another motion picture film on which background picture PIC BK is imaged are thereby combined on a film, thereby achieving the same effects as the above-described embodiments. (5-4) In the above-described embodiments, a motion picture film on which foreground and background pictures are imaged is composed, but the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention can be suitably applied to various cases of combining a motion picture film on which a first picture is imaged and anther motion picture on which a second picture is imaged.

Claims: A motion picture film composition method for combining a first motion picture film (F FR ) on which a first picture (PIC FR ) is imaged and a second motion picture film (F BK ) on which a second picture (PIC BK ) is imaged to produce a combined motion picture film (FWA 10 ; FWA 20 ; FWA 30 ; FWA 40 ), the method comprising: converting the first motion picture film (F FR ) into a video signal (VD FR ); processing the video signal (VD FR ) to form an intermediate film (F FR10 ; F FMR ; F FR21 ; F FMR1 ) and at least one mask film (F MMSK1 , F SMMSK1 , F FMSK1 , F SFMSK1 ; F MMSK2 , F LSMMSK ; F MMSK3 , F MSK4 ; F MMSK4 ); exposing on a raw film a first latent image (IL 10 ; IL 20 ; IL 30 ; IL 40 ) produced by superposing the second motion picture film (F BK ) and said mask film (F MMSK1 , F SMMSK1 ; F MMSK2 , F LSMMSK ; F MMSK3 ; F MMSK4 ); and also exposing on said raw film a second latent image (IL 11 ; IL 21 ; IL 31 ; IL 41 ) produced from said intermediate film (F FR10 ; F FMR ; F FR21 ; F FMR1 ), thereby to produce said combined motion picture film (FWA 10 ; FWA 20 ; FWA 30 ; FWA 40 ); characterised in that the step of processing the video signal (VD FR ) includes: producing a composition operation film (F 10 ; F 20 ; F 31 ; F 40 ) which includes both first frames (F FRR , F FRG , F FRB ; F MFRR , F MFRG , F MFRB ; F FR20 ) derived from the first motion picture film (F FR ) and second frames (F FMSKO , F MMSKO , F SFMSK ; F FMSK2 , F LSFMSK ; F MMSK2 ; F FMSK5 ) containing mask information; forming said intermediate film (F FR10 ; F FMR ; F FR21 ; F FMR1 ) from said first frames (F FRR , F FRG , F FRB ; F MFRR , F MFRG , F MFRB ; F FR20 ) of the composition operation film (F 10 ; F 20 ; F 31 ; F 40 ); and forming said at least one mask film (F MMSK1 , F SMMSK1 , F FMSK1 , F SFMSK1 ; F MMSK2 , F LSMMSK ; F MMSK3 , F FMSK4 ; F MMSK4 ) from said second frames (F FMSKO , F MMSKO , F SFMSK ; F FMSK2 , F LSFMSK ; F MMSK2 ; F FMSK5 ) of the composition operation film (F 10 ; F 20 ; F 31 ; F 40 ). A method according to claim 1, wherein: the step of processing the video signal (VD FR ) comprises forming four said mask films, namely a male mask film (F MMSK1 ), a soft male mask film (F SMMSK1 ), a female mask film (F FMSK1 ) and a soft female mask film (F SFMSK1 ); the first latent image (IL 10 ) is produced by superposing the second motion picture film (F BK ), the male mask film (F MMSK1 ) and the soft male mask film (F SMMSK1 ); and the second latent image (IL 11 ) is produced by superposing the intermediate film (F FR10 ), the female mask film (F FMSK1 ) and the soft female mask film (F SFMSK1 ). A method according to claim 1, wherein: the step of processing the video signal (VD FR ) comprises forming two said mask films, namely a male mask film (F MMSK2 ) and a low-contrast soft male mask film (F LSMMSK ); and the first latent image (IL 20 ) is produced by superposing the second motion picture film (F BK ), the male mask film (F MMSK2 ) and the low-contrast soft male mask film (F LSMMSK ). A method according to claim 1, wherein: the composition operation film (F 31 ) which includes both first frames (F FR20 ) derived from the first motion picture film (F FR ) and second frames (F MMSK2 ) containing mask information is produced from another composition operation film (F 30 ) which includes both first frames (F FRR , F FRG , F FRB ) derived from the first motion picture film (F FR ) and second frames (F FMSK3 ) containing mask information; the step of processing the vidco signal (VD FR ) comprises forming two said mask films, namely a male mask film (F MMSK3 ) and a female mask film (F FMMSK4 ); the first latent image (IL 30 ) is produced by superposing the second motion picture film (F BK ) and the male mask film (F MMSK3 ); and the second latent image (IL 31 ) is produced by superposing the intermediate film (F FR21 ) and the female mask film (F FMMSK4 ). A method according to claim 1, wherein: the step of processing the video signal (VD FR ) comprises forming one said mask film, namely a male mask film (F MMSK4 ); and the first latent image (IL 40 ) is produced by superposing the second motion picture film (F BK ) and the male mask film (F MMSK4 ).

Inventors: GALT JOHN, OMATA TOMIO, OZAKI YOSHIO, GALT, JOHN, OMATA, TOMIO, OZAKI, YOSHIO, OZAKI, YOSHIO, CAREER DEVELOPMENT INTERN. INC.
Applicants: SONY CORP, SONY CORPORATION
Application year: 1991
Main classification: H04N5
IPC codes: H04N5, G03B15