COMPACT ANAMORPHIC MOTION PICTURE SYSTEM

Abstract: A new 35mm film print (88), film printer and projector (196) method and apparatus are disclosed for 1:1 optical replication of useable wide screen (58) formats defined by established boundaries of wide screen camera composition relative to the useable image width of 35mm print film, for consolidation of said useable formatted images (58) onto shortened distribution prints (88) and for exhibition of said short prints in motion picture theaters. A new interframe film pitch produces substantially shortened prints without reduction or cropping of the useable images of original production negatives.

Description: MOTION PICTURE SYSTEM FOR ECONOMICAL REPLICATION, CONSOLIDATION, DUPLICATION AND EXHIBITION OF WIDE SCREEN FORMATS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field Of The Invention The present invention relates to motion picture film, optical film printers and to exhibition systems, and more particularly to means for generating a new economical distribution film format from conventional production negative and exhibiting a substantially shorter print consolidation together with full projection automation and enhanced quality of presentation. Related Art Nearly a century ago standards for professional motion picture film were set by George Eastman and Thomas Edison. Those standards have remained intact even though the sizes and shapes of theater screens have changed dramatically. Feature film width was established at 35mm (1 3/8 inch) with two rows of perforations spaced apart by approximately 1 inch. The longitudinal distance between perforation centers was 3/16 inch. Individual picture frames were nearly 3/4 inch high by 1 inch wide with an aspect ratio of 1.37:1. Film width and perforation position and spacing have remained unchanged to the present day. The aspect ratio of 1.37:1 seemed appropriate for Edison's early Kinetoscope galleries at the turn of the century, as well as the early theaters known as Nickelodeons, which were long and narrow. Nothing changed until the advent of Movietone (optical) sound in the late 1920's. Image width was reduced from .980 inch to .868 inch, and the picture was offset to allow adequate space for an optical sound track substantially .100 inch in width, positioned "in board" between the image edge and one row of perforations. In order to maintain a geometry compatible with existing screens, image height was proportionately reduced to .631 inch yielding an aspect ratio of 1.37:1 - - these are known as the Academy and ASA standards to this day. In the Academy format, the frame pitch is four perforations, or 0.748 inch. The image width is 0.868 inch, and the image height is 0.631 inch. The sound track between the left row of perforations and the image frames contains analog optical sound information read at 90 feet per minute, the film rate. Cinemascope ("Scope") is a wide screen process introduced by Twentieth Century Fox in 1953. The frame pitch in Scope film format is four perforations, or 0.748 inch. The image width is 0.868 inch (anamorphic) , while the image height is 0.735 inch. Initially the sound track contained recorded information on magnetic stripping read at 90 feet per minute, but the magnetic multi-track sound later yielded to optical stereo sound on film. In order to utilize standard 35mm film while still producing the wide screen format, anamorphic lenses were employed in photography and projection which, respectively, compressed and expanded the horizontal image by a factor of 2x. Thus, screens were substantially doubled in width while utilizing "standard" 35mm film and public response to the new wide screen format was enthusiastic. But Cinemascope added to the expense of production and exhibition, so only select high-budget films were made in the process. The ordinary Academy-type picture, by contrast, seemed too narrow in appearance. The motion picture industry's solution to exhibiting non-ana orphic product in wide screen format was to crop the top and bottom of the Academy image, increase magnification in projection, and thereby give the "illusion" of a wider picture. This was known as "the poor man's wide screen" ("Wide Screen") with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 and release prints in the format were referred to as "flat" (non-anamorphic) prints. The popularity of anamorphic productions has diminished markedly over the past two decades. Economy has been largely responsible for the near-demise of Cinemascope production and exhibition. Today, more than 95% of all release prints are distributed in the "flat" Wide Screen Academy format. The cameraman's Academy viewfinder is marked with aspect ratios of 1.37:1 and 1.85:1 to accommodate video and theatrical release respectively. The full image is transferred to video while, in the theater, the projector aperture crops top and bottom to achieve the Wide Screen ratio. In view of the foregoing, the 1.85:1 aspect ratio, while, economic in production, is enormously wasteful in exhibition, where much of the film's revenue is obtained. About 40% of the film image is never seen on the theater screen. It is estimated that nearly 20 billion feet of film have been wasted since the Wide Screen format became an industry standard in the 1950's. Therefore, the 35mm "flat" Academy print no longer functions in economic concert with present-day methods of motion picture presentation. Over the past two decades, for reasons of economy and efficiency, exhibition has undertaken a program designed to automate film presentation. The introduction of Xenon lamps and platter ("autowind") film transport systems has precipitated semi-automation. A single projector is employed for the full feature presentation and the platter system eliminates the need for rewinding film after each performance. A projection attendant must re-thread the print prior to the start of each show. One of the remaining obstacles to theater automation lies in unwieldy print length. A 100 minute feature is 9000 feet in length. The largest practical reel size holds about 6000 feet of standard acetate film and about 20% more with polyester film stock. A variety of continuous-loop systems have been introduced in the past and proven unsatisfactory due to excessive film damage. Proposed alternate methods, including image reductions designed to shorten print length, have threatened diminution of picture quality. Perceived screen definition and illumination are directly proportionate to the area of the film image. With the imminence of high-definition television, no serious consideration can be given to any proposal to reduce picture clarity and screen brightness in theaters. There is, therefore, a need for a film system which provides current wide screen formats without wasteful use of film stock, allows more useable picture information to be placed on reels by reducing release print length and which achieves enhanced quality of presentation. There is also a need for further automation in film projection systems, minimizing the need for personnel and maintenance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention satisfies three important objectives: 1) elimination of print waste resulting from "masked" image area, 2) full projection automation in theaters so that, once in place, feature films may be shown repeatedly at programmed times without significant human intervention, and 3) enhanced quality of theater presentation. With the present invention, substantial shortening of release print lengths without degradation of picture or sound quality is fully achieved. A further object is to minimize maintenance in theater operation. In accordance with the present invention, a print of a motion picture presentation of images. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a new film printing system includes means for generating at a substantially 1:1 optical ratio only the useable wide screen formats ("useable" defined as "camera composition area" in original photography) from production originals and for consolidating them for the purpose of duplicating release prints of substantially shortened length. In a further aspect of the present invention, a projection system efficiently and economically exhibits the consolidated motion picture prints, whereby, each print can be mounted on a single reel. The projection system projects the shortened prints with full automation in theaters, and preferably reproduces analog and/or digital sound in synchronization with the shortened prints. In addition to other features, the present invention includes several methods of optical replication using an optical printer for extracting useable Wide Screen and Scope formats from production negatives and several methods of achieving shortened film pull-down pitch in the camera of the optical printer with extreme precision for the purpose of image consolidation. Replication refers to substantially 1:1 optical transfer of the useable images of the original camera negative onto a print, and may include intermediate steps of enlargement followed by reduction back to substantially the same size. A first optical replication method makes use of 35mm interpositive and internegative film stock with contact and optical steps, respectively. A second alternative replication method makes use of 65mm interpositive and 35mm internegative film stock with two optical steps. In either replication method, the shortened pull-down pitch in the camera of the optical printer relies on precision registrations pins, a frame pull-down pitch corresponding to the shortened frame pitch and two passes to ensure proper registration while generating the internegative consolidation. Alternatively, the shortened pull-down pitch in the camera of the optical printer employs dual registration pin sets. The dual pin sets may be spaced apart by one or more full perforation distances (0.1866 inch per perforation, the perforation pitch of original camera negative and intermediate film stocks) plus a fractional perforation distance in the case of standard 35mm film, each pinset alternately engaging the intermediate film stock perforations. These novel means for accomplishing the new film consolidated format of the invention are summarized below. According to the present invention, one method of replicating either the Wide Screen (1.85:1) or the Scope (2.35:1) format from production originals consists of an optical step through which only the useable image area is printed onto 65mm interpositive film stock, magnifying the image 2 times (Wide Screen) or 2.141 times (Scope), respectively. In contrast to current practice, there is no loss of resolution in this optical step due to the magnification/image-area ratio. The 65mm interpositive is then reduced by an optical ratio of 2:1 by means of a second optical step onto a 35mm internegative format .4665 inch in height, the printer camera pulling down .4665 inch per frame. There is negligible loss of resolution in the second optical step due to the 2:1 optical ratio. The resulting internegative and prints therefrom are 62.5% the " length of a standard Academy print (.4675 inch pitch divided by .748 inch pitch), the perforation pitch of positive print film being 0.187 inch. The combined optical steps of this method produce a final print quality which is enhanced substantially over the current standard prints derived from interpositives and internegatives transferred in the conventional manner at 1:1 ratios. An alternative method of replicating the Wide Screen and Scope formats from production originals, according to a further aspect of the present invention, consists of a contact step through which the original Academy image is printed onto 35mm interpositive film stock at a ratio of 1:1. The Wide Screen or Scope interpositive image is then replicated by means of an optical step and printed onto 35mm internegative film stock at a magnification ratio of 1:1 or 1:1.07, respectively, where the printer camera aperture is .4665 inch in height and the camera pull-down pitch is .4665 inch per frame. The consolidated internegative and resulting prints therefrom are 62.5% the length of standard Academy prints (.4675 inch print pitch divided by .748 inch print pitch). Because the image area ratio of substantially 1:1 is maintained from production originals to the print, without reduction, picture quality equal to or exceeding that of current release prints is ensured. In fact, the "flat" Scope image of the present invention is enhanced due to elimination of astigmatism associated with cylindrical (anamorphic) projection lenses. Through utilization of the .4665 inch pitch, it is desirable that picture frame lines align longitudinally and alternately "at" perforations and "between" perforations while in alternative embodiments the frame lines may fall elsewhere relative to the perforations. Because of the novel "at" and "between" frameline arrangement, new optical printing methods and apparatus are used. The .4665 inch film advance in the printer camera according to one preferred form of the invention employs a pull-down pitch of .933 inch with stationary registration pins. "Odd" frames (1, 3, 5, etc.) are printed on the lower half of the .935 inch frame height during a first pass from interpositive to internegative. The camera is then lowered the equivalent of .4665 inch, the camera aperture is longitudinally reversed, and "even" frames (6, 4, 2) are printed on the alternate spaces in a second, reverse pass. Alternatively, the full .4665 pitch displacement may be substituted by advancing the film stock two perforations (.3732 inch) and lowering the camera 1/2 perforation (.0933 inch) or any combination equaling .4665 inch, prior to the second pass. A further embodiment keeps the projector and camera stationary while moving the printer lens up and down sufficiently to shift the images on the second pass 0.4665 inch. In another preferred form of the present invention, the .4665 inch pull-down pitch in the camera of the optical printer is accomplished with a .4665 inch pitch shuttle movement and two sets of active registration pins. Each set engages perforations alternately. One set is positioned 1/2 perforation below the picture frame-line and the other set is located 2 perforations below the picture frame-line. Any combination of dual registration pin-sets may be employed, the distance between the first and second pin-sets is equal to one or more whole perforations plus a fractional perforation (1/2, 2 1/2, 3 1/2 etc.). Essential image steadiness is guaranteed through use of precision registration pin-sets employing either method of image replication and consolidation. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, one means for projecting the .4675 inch frame pitch consolidated prints makes use of a mechanical projector with sprockets reduced in diameter to 62.5% of prior art sprockets and contain 62.5% the number of teeth contained by prior art sprockets. Thus, a new 10 tooth sprocket replaces a standard 16 tooth sprocket (16 teeth x .625 consolidation factor) . The number of sprocket teeth of the invention is divisible by the 2.5 perforation frame pitch to equal four frames per complete rotation of the intermittent sprocket (10 teeth divided by 2.5 perforations ■= 4 frames) . The number of prior art sprocket teeth is divisible by the 4 perforation frame pitch to equal four frames per complete rotation of the intermittent sprocket (16 teeth divided by 4 perforations = 4 frames) . The projector is designed with fast-rewind capability, through the projector mechanism. The print is automatically rewound on cue, ready to begin another show according to pre-programmed time, and the objective of full automation is achieved. The shortened print replication and consolidation process according to the present invention allows an entire feature to be mounted on a single reel for "reel-to-reel" automation of presentation. Another means of projecting the .4675 inch pitch consolidated print, in accordance with the present invention, makes use of an "electronic" pull-down method. The electronic projector intermittent is programmed to pull down film frames of any predetermined pitch. The shortened print contains bar codes dictating the correct pull-down mode. As with the mechanical projector, a fast rewind mode is incorporated in the automation feature of the present invention. Rewind speed is approximately 600 feet per minute so that a typical 100 minute feature, 5625 feet in length (90 standard feet times .625 consolidation factor), according to the shortened print of the present invention, may be rewound in 9.37 minutes during a normal 20 minute inter ission. Projection lens focal length for both Wide Screen and Scope formats is identical to that required in any given theater for the current Wide Screen format because the print of the present invention is generated at a 1:1 ratio (original useable image to print image) . Since the Wide Screen film image is offset laterally by approximately .050 inch and the Scope film image is centered, a single spherical lens of appropriate focal length for both formats is mounted in an eccentric collar which rotates on cue by means of a stepper motor to ensure correct centering of the respective Wide Screen and Scope pictures on the theater screen. Screen brightness is likewise increased because at least four cylindrical optics for the Scope pictures are removed from the lens system of the theater projector. Dolby SR ("Spectral Recording") stereo analog sound is rapidly becoming a film industry standard and has, through experimentation, proven to reproduce a high fidelity frequency response greater than 12,000 Hertz using the shortened print of the present invention at a projection speed of 56.25 feet per minute (standard 90 feet per minute times .625 consolidation). The Dolby sound track is contained on the shortened Wide Screen print of the present invention in the same location as that of conventional films. Digital sound is currently being introduced in select theaters and is likely to become a new industry standard. With the Wide Screen print of the present invention, digital sound may be printed on the film (longitudinally between perforations and/or the space provided for analog sound) , or originated by separate means (such as audio tape, laser disc or optical disc) to reproduce in synchronization with the picture. Scope prints, according to the present invention, utilize digital sound printed in the space between perforations along both rows, or a digital source separate from, and in synchronization with, the picture film. If the sound source is separate, "time code" is printed on the film of the present invention to ensure perfect synchronization of picture and sound. Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a motion picture release print which makes more effective use of the film stock available, decreases film waste, allows full projection automation in theaters and enhances the quality of theater presentation of the motion picture. It is a further object of the present invention to provide more useable film image information for a given length of film stock, using the same image composition size and aspect ratio provided by conventional film without reducing image quality. These and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments set forth below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a segment of motion picture film which could be used in carrying out the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic and graphical depiction of a process for replicating and consolidating images to a new consolidated film format. FIG. 3 is a side elevation and schematic view of a film printing mechanism for use in the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a segment of motion picture film in a Wide Screen format to be replicated and then consolidated according to the method of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a segment of motion picture film having a usable portion of an image from the film of FIG. 4 replicated thereon, which will then be consolidated onto a new format according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a segment of motion picture film, wherein the usable image information from the film of FIG. 4 has been consolidated into a new film format according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a segment of motion picture film in the Cinemascope format containing useable picture information to be replicated and consolidated into a new film format according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a segment of motion picture Scope film containing useable image information which has been replicated from the film of FIG. 7 and which will be consolidated into a new film format according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a segment of motion picture film containing useable image information consolidated according to the present invention. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a segment of 35mm Academy aperture Wide Screen production negative film in the conventional form. FIG. 11 is a plan view of a segment of 35mm motion picture film with useable image information replicated and consolidated onto the new film format according to the present invention. FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a film transport for an optical printer camera head, according to one aspect of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of a film transport for an optical printer camera head depicting film pull-down. FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of a film transport system for use in an optical printer camera head showing insertion of registration pins prior to exposure of the film. FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of the orientation of the film images and the optics used in the film printer according to one aspect of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a schematic representation of the image orientation and optical film printer according to one aspect of the present invention for use in a second pass of the film. FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of the printer camera head aperture relative to the printer centerline for first and second film passes. FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of image orientation and optics for an optical printer according to a further aspect of the present invention. FIG. 19 is a schematic representation of a film transport for an optical printer camera head according to a further aspect of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a schematic representation of a film transport for an optical printer camera head showing pull¬ down for film transport/ FIG. 21 is a schematic representation of a film transport mechanism for an optical printer camera head showing the use of registration pins. FIG. 22 is a schematic representation of a film transport for an optical printer camera head showing a further step of film pull-down. FIG. 23 is a plan view of a segment of motion picture film showing a relationship between an exposed image area and registration pin placement using a dual pin registration system for an optical printer camera head according to one aspect of the present invention. FIG. 24 is a schematic and plan view of a film gate for an optical printer camera head using dual pin registration. FIG. 25 is a plan view of a segment of 35mm motion picture film according to conventional Wide Screen standards to be used in a consolidation process according to the present invention. FIG. 26 is a plan view of a segment of 65mm film with the usable images from the film of FIG. 25 enlarged two times. FIG. 27 is a plan view of a segment of motion picture film containing the consolidated images taken from the film of FIG. 26 reduced by a factor of two. FIG. 28 is a plan view of a segment of conventional Scope formatted film to be used in the consolidation process according to a further aspect of the present invention. FIG. 29 is a plan view of a segment of 65mm film with the useable images taken from the film of FIG. 28 enlarged by 2.141. FIG. 30 is a plan view of a segment of motion picture film according to the present invention showing the images consolidated from the 65mm film of FIG. 29 reduced by a factor of two. FIG. 31 is a schematic of a conventional platter projection system in common use. FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a projection system according to a further aspect of the present invention. FIG. 33 is a side elevation view of a film transport sprocket for use with conventional film transport systems. FIG. 34 is a side elevation view of a film transport sprocket for use with the projector of FIG. 32. FIG. 35 is a plan view of a segment of motion picture release print film in the Wide Screen format according to the present invention. FIG. 36 is a plan view of a segment of motion picture release print film in the Scope format according to the present invention. FIG. 37 is an elevation view of a projector aperture for use with the film according to the present invention for Wide Screen format. FIG. 38 is an elevation view of a projector aperture for use with the present invention for Scope format film. FIG. 39 is a front elevation view of a typical projection screen showing the Wide Screen and Scope dimensions. FIG. 40 is a schematic representation of the orientation of film images and the optics used in a film printer according to a further aspect of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In accordance with the present invention, a new film format, optical printer method and apparatus, and projection method and apparatus are disclosed which makes more effective use of film stock, decreases film waste, allows full projection automation in theaters and enhances the quality of theater presentation of motion pictures. The present invention provides more useable film image information for a given length of film stock, and uses the same image composition size and aspect ratio provided by conventional film without reducing image quality. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, conventional Wide Screen 35mm motion picture original camera negative film 50 (FIG. 1) is converted through contact and/or optical printers to a consolidated film format according the present invention. Typically, 35mm film includes a plurality of film frames 52 containing picture information in the form of images in a sequential time relationship, as indicated by the sequential numbers in FIG. 1. Adjacent frames are separated by an interframe space 54 represented in FIG. 1 by solid lines. Typically, the interframe space is a substantial space of unexposed film between adjacent frames. The negative film also includes a plurality of perforations 56 oriented in a progression along the length of the motion picture film, there being typically one row of perforations on each side of the film frame, 4 perforations on each side of each film frame, and equally distributed relative to the longitudinal dimension of each film frame. The images contained on the film frames, when converted according to conventional methods to a release print are then passed through a suitable projector to project the images in their time relationship on an appropriate projection screen to produce the motion picture viewed in the theaters. When the original camera negative is exposed in the motion picture camera, the cameraman uses a ground glass reticle on the camera viewfinder to properly compose the scene so that the useable, composition image falls within either a theater field of view or a television field of view. For the theater field of view, the cameraman places the scene within the theater field of view so that the useable image falls within what may be termed a useable format 58 shown between the dotted lines in each frame in FIG. 1. Therefore, for theater motion picture film, a significant amount of the film frame along with the interframe space 54 is not useable in the final print and therefore constitutes a significant amount of film waste. Typically, a Wide Screen 35mm film format having an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 has a useable frame area 0.868 inch by 0.748 inch film frame, extending beyond the boundaries of the useable image area. Theatrical print releases according to conventional formats contain useable frames which are composed within 0.825 inch by 0.446 inch and, therefore, result in waste of approximately 40% of the film stock. Elimination of the waste through suitable replication and consolidation of the useable images from the original camera negative can be accomplished by consolidation according to the present invention to reduce the waste, permit automation and provide a higher quality theatrical presentation. Specifically, the original camera negative is first replicated through a conventional contact printer to produce an interpositive film 60 (FIG. 2) having the film frames replicated in their original size and sequence. The useable images, represented by the image area corresponding to the composition area for the theatrical release image, are then extracted from the interpositive by the process schematically depicted in FIG. 2 by taking the useable image 58 and consolidating the useable image into a 35mm internegative 62 depicted schematically in FIG. 2 through an optical printer represented schematically at 64 whereby the internegative, for a Wide Screen format, includes the useable images having dimensions of substantially 0.868 inch by 0.4665 inch. The images are maintained in their original sequential order and so that there is very little, if any, interframe space between each image. A release print is then created through use of a contact printer whereby the useable images of 0.868 inch by 0.4665 inch are printed on 35mm film having Kodak perforations whereby the images are defined by a 0.868 inch by 0.4675 inch frame produced by the contact printing process. As can be seen on the internegative film stock 62 in FIG. 2, there need not be a specific relationship between frame lines 65 and the locations of the perforations but the frames may fall alternately on two and three perforations. The new release print may then be exhibited from a single reel, using a projector according to the present invention, described more fully below, to provide enhanced exhibition and which allows automation as a result of the present invention. The replication and consolidation is accomplished through an optical printer 66 (FIG. 3) having the conventional overall design and high quality in precision construction and incorporating the modifications of the present invention. The typical optical printer includes a projector 68 having a supply reel 70 passing film to a take-up reel 72. The projector includes a typical film transport and lens assembly 74 having conventional controls for synchronizing the film transport for a printer camera 76. Images from the projector are projected through a printer lens 78 to focus the image on an intermediate film stock in the printer camera supplied from a supply reel 80 to a take-up reel 82, in the conventional manner. The new film transport used in the printer camera is described more fully below. In one preferred embodiment, the projector also includes a modified vertical, or north-south, adjustment mechanism 84 to allow the printer to consolidate the useable images onto intermediate film having a 0.4665 inch pitch. Typically, the resulting consolidating print will be run at a film rate of 56.25 feet per minute, compared to the conventional 90 feet per minute. The consolidation according to the present invention can be carried out on several different film formats presently available. The consolidation will be described herein for both the Wide Screen format and Scope format. In the Wide Screen format, 35mm motion picture film (FIG. 4) has four perforations on each side of the film frame and has an interframe space 54. The film frame for a typical Academy aperture is 0.868 inch in width and 0.631 inch in height to provide an aspect ratio of 1.37:1 corresponding to the Academy aperture. The composition area constituting useable image space for theatrical releases is significantly less than these dimensions. The theatrical composition area 86 (FIG. 5) is 0.825 inch by 0.446 inch, giving an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. This useable Wide Screen area is then replicated and ultimately placed on a release print 88 (FIG. 6 shown approximately to scale) of 35mm film, whereby each useable image is placed on the release print over a longitudinal distance or height of preferably 0.4675 inch. With the consolidation process of the present invention, two sequential film frames containing the useable image information from the corresponding frames on the original camera negative can be placed on a release print 88 over a span of .9350 inch whereas the same two images on the conventional release print occupied 1.496 inches. Additionally, the frames are positioned longitudinally adjacent each other so as to minimize any unused interframe space. With this configuration, film waste resulting from the use of conventional formats is reduced, full projection automation can be achieved and there is no loss of picture quality or screen definition which would otherwise result from optical reduction of the image. A similar result is achieved with the Scope 35mm format. Images on conventional full Academy aperture original camera negative film 90 in the Scope format (FIG. 7) occupy an area of 0.980 inch by 0.735 inch to produce an aspect ratio of approximately 1.33:1. As with the Wide Screen format, the theatrical release composition area for Scope of 0.980 inch by 0.417 inch, providing an aspect ratio of 2.35:1 (FIG. 8), leaves a significant amount of unused film stock. In the process according to the present invention, the useable image in the theatrical composition area 94 is replicated and consolidated with a slight enlargement of 1:1.07 onto a 35mm print stock 96 (FIG. 9) wherein each film frame 98 occupies an area of 1.049 inches by 0.4675 inch containing within it the theatrical composition useable image having the 1.049 inches by 0.446 inch area to provide an aspect ratio of approximately 2.35:1. Adjacent film frames are consolidated onto the print stock 96 without substantial unused interframe space. For the Scope format, the film stock uses Fox perforations which are square and have dimensions of 0.078 inch on a side, to accommodate the full width of the Scope image. The replication and consolidation reduces film waste, allows for complete automation, and still produces a release print having the same or better resolution than conventional release prints in the Scope format and provides improved quality screen definition through elimination of the anamorphic optics. Substantial savings of film stock is achieved by substantially eliminating the non-used image area between adjacent film frames and also substantially eliminating the non-image space which was present in the original camera negative. For example, where the image pitch is approximately 0.4665 inch on an internegative film stock, the non-image space is preferably no more than approximately 0.020 inch in length along the longitudinal dimension of the film, in other words between adjacent film frames. Moreover, in one preferred form of the invention, there is essentially no unused or non-image space on the film between adjacent film frames. The 0.020 inch space is taken up by potentially useable image information, approximately 0.010 inch on the lower part of one frame and approximately 0.010 inch on the top part of the lower, adjacent film frame. This allows a projectionist some leeway in framing the film print. In the Scope film format, the image is preferably 1.049 inches wide by 0.453 inch. In this configuration, the non-image space between adjacent film frames is preferably no more than approximately 0.014 inch. In the conventional motion picture post-production process, the original camera negative is transferred to an interpositive film through contact printing without any significant change in dimensions. To then obtain the final release print, the images are transferred again by a contact printing process to an internegative, again having the same dimensions as the original camera negative, which is then used to produce multiple release prints. No significant change is made in the dimensions of the film frame or the positioning of the film frame relative to the perforations. However, because of the multiple transfers, there is generally some degradation of image resolution in each transfer. For example, the original camera negative typically has a resolution of sixty-eight line pairs per millimeter, while the interpositive has fifty-two line pairs per millimeter, the internegative has forty line pairs per millimeter and the print has thirty-six line pairs per millimeter. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, post-production processing is improved to provide high quality replication of the images from the original camera negative and consolidation of the useable image onto an internegative film for production of multiple release prints. In one form of the invention, an interpositive is produced from the original camera negative by a contact printing process. The interpositive 102 has essentially the same format as the original camera negative (FIG. 10 showing the Wide Screen film format) . The interpositive 102 generally includes a sequentially first film frame 104 followed by a second film frame 106 with a substantial interframe space 108. Each frame corresponds to four perforations 110 on each side in the Kodak configuration. A space 112 is provided for a soundtrack to be incorporated on the final release print. The frame pitch and, therefore, the pull-down distance is 0.748 inch. The actual useable image height "I" in the theatrical composition area of the interpositive is 0.446 inch which lies within the intended replication image height of 0.4665. Each frame has the same characteristics, and each succeeding frame represents the next image in time as recorded in the camera. An improved internegative 114 (FIG. 11) is formed according to the present invention using an optical printer such as that shown in FIG. 3 having a standard projector head and a modified camera head, as discussed herein. The motion picture images are recorded on the internegative film in a consolidated " format whereby the useable image area from the first image 104 is transferred to the internegative to form a first image 104A having an image height of 0.4665 inch and a width corresponding to the particular film format described above, for example Wide Screen or Scope. With the Wide Screen format, the preferred width is 0.868 inch. The useable image information from the first film frame 104 is consolidated onto the internegative as a consolidated image without substantial reduction and without enlargement. The same replication occurs for the second image 106 and for each subsequent image thereafter. Therefore, each image has an image height "I" of 0.4665 inch. Magnification in the optical printer is preferably 1:1. The projector movement has a pull-down of 0.7464 inch per standard frame of the interpositive and the projector head has an aperture size of 0.868 inch by 0.4665 inch. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, described in more detail below, the actual optical printing transfer process occurs in two passes. During the first pass, the odd film frames (such as the first image 104 of FIG. 10) on the interpositive are transferred. The first frame 104 and every other frame thereafter is transferred as the film is twice pulled down a distance "P" of 0.7464 inch. In the second pass, the second film frame 106 on the interpositive and every other film frame thereafter is exposed in the same manner, with two pull-down strokes between each exposure. The camera head is modified to have a pull-down of 0.933 inch, corresponding to the height of two combined images 104A and 106A. Two apertures are used in the printer camera to achieve the consolidation according to this format, each aperture being 0.868 inch by 0-4665 inch. The bottom half aperture is used in the first pass to illuminate the internegative to record odd frames starting with the first useable image 104A. At the same time, the film area corresponding to the second image 106A is masked. After two pull-down strokes of the projector movement and one pull-down stroke of 0.933 inch of the camera movement, the next odd image is recorded. In the second or reverse pass, the top half aperture is used to record the even images including the second useable image 106A while at the same time masking the lower half previously recorded in the first pass. As with the first pass, the second film frame and every other film frame is exposed after two pull-down strokes in the projector head and recorded on the internegative after one pull-down stroke by the camera head. In this first embodiment of the optical printer, the printer camera includes a film transport mechanism 116 (FIG. 12), a supply reel 118 and a take-up reel 120. A film guide 122 holds the film 124 stationary in conjunction with a pair of register pins 126, each register pin corresponding to one side of the motion picture film. A pull-down claw 128 advances the film after the film is disengaged from the register pins. In the present embodiment, the pull-down claw 128 has a stroke length or pitch "P" of 0.933 inch (FIG. 11). In operation, the film guide 122 disengages the internegative film from the register pins 126 and the pull¬ down claw engages the film 124 (FIG. 13) . The pull-down claw 128 then advances the film 0.933 inch, at which time the film guide 122 disengages the film from the pull-down claw and engages the film with the register pins 126 (FIG. 14) . In the preferred embodiment, the film transport mechanism pulls the internegative film in the direction shown in FIG. 13 during the first pass, and then pulls the film in the reverse direction, a pitch of 0.933 inch in the opposite direction, during the second pass. Alternatively, the interpositive and the internegative film can be re¬ wound to a second starting point corresponding to the second frame and the process begun again. As re erenced above with respect to FIG. 3, the optical printer includes a vertical adjustment mechanism 84 to position or offset the projector 0.0467 inch above the printer centerline (FIG. 15) during the first pass for printing odd frames. The offset is indicated at 130 (FIG. 15) . The offset line corresponds to the center of the standard 35mm film frame. The 0.4665 inch useable image area is depicted by the left triangle 132 which is focused through a 1:1 stationary printer lens 134 through a 0.868 inch wide by 0.4665 inch high camera aperture for Wide Screen (1.049 inches wide by 0.4665 inch high for Scope) for exposing the corresponding image area on the internegative film. The aperture 136 (FIG. 17) is positioned so that the centerline is offset 0.0467 inch below the printer centerline. The image is recorded on the internegative offset from the printer centerline by the offset distance of 0.0467 inch. The interpositive is twice advanced 0.7464 inch while the internegative is advanced 0.933 inch. On the second pass, even frames from the interpositive are recorded on the remaining frames of the internegative through the lens 134. For the second pass, the projector is moved downward so that the offset 130 is now 0.0467 inch below the printer centerline. The camera position 140 is maintained between the first pass and the second pass, but the internegative 35mm film stock is shifted or advanced two perforations prior to the second pass. The net effect of lowering of the projector by a total of one-half perforation and the shifting of the internegative stock by two perforations is a 0.4665 inch shift which allows each of the second usable image frames from the interpositive to be recorded on the remaining film area corresponding to the 0.933 inch space to be occupied by two adjacent image frames. Prior to the second pass, the aperture 136 is reversed on the aperture centerline to the position corresponding to 136A shown in FIG. 17. This preferred embodiment for consolidating useable image information onto an internegative through a double-pass process whereby the projector is shifted between passes provides a convenient mechanism and procedure for precision transfer and consolidation of motion pictures from the conventional 35mm Wide Screen format to the new consolidated format on 35mm film stock. Image resolution is enhanced with the present process over conventional transfers, and currently available precision equipment can be used to achieve accurate shifting of the projector between passes. Precision 0.933 inch pull-down for the printer camera can be accomplished by appropriate re-design of the camera movement, as would be apparent to one skilled in the art. In an alternative embodiment of the optical printer (FIG. 18), the projector may be positioned 0.23325 inch above the printer centerline so that the useable image from the interpositive is recorded onto the lower half of the internegative film space. The raised position of the projector puts the centerline 142 of the interpositive film frame approximately 0.23325 inch above the printer centerline. The interpositive is then transported on a first pass in the same manner as described above, with odd film frames being recorded on the internegative on the lower portion of every increment of film space corresponding to five perforations the camera being centered on the printer centerline. Before the second pass, the camera aperture is reversed so that the aperture of 0.868 inch wide by 0.4665 inch high for Wide Screen (1.049 inches wide by 0.4665 inch high for Scope) extends above the printer line and the projector is lowered 0.4665 inch, corresponding to one full useable image frame, so that the even frames may be recorded on the internegative film. In a further alternative embodiment of the optical printer (not shown) , the projector remains stationary so that the vertical center of each interpositive film frame is centered on the printer centerline. The camera is vertically adjustable so that it can be offset for one or both of the first and second passes. In the preferred embodiment, the camera is offset 0.04665 inch above the printer centerline to expose the odd numbered images from the interpositive during the first pass. Prior to the second pass, the camera is moved downward to be offset 0.04665 inch below the printer centerline, and the internegative film is advanced 0.3732 inch (two perforations) so that the even frames of the internegative are exposed during the second pass. The camera aperture is also turned over in a north/south direction to expose the upper film area in the camera as discussed above. For the second pass, the internegative is advanced .3732 inch and exposed while running in the reverse direction, or rewound and advanced .3732 inch to frame 106A, as discussed above- While the printing means and process described herein reference dimensions corresponding to consolidation of Wide Screen images, similar apparatus and methods are also used to consolidate Scope images. Other mechanical arrangements can be made for consolidating the useable images from the 35mm interpositive onto the 35mm internegative wherein the frame pitch is the preferred 0.4665 inch and the preferred effective pull-down is 0.4665 inch. Therefore, in a further preferred embodiment of the printer camera film transport, the camera head includes a supply reel 144 and a take-up reel 146 for transporting the internegative film stock 148 through a film gate 150 (FIG. 19) for properly recording the useable image area according to the preferred consolidated format. The internegative film is registered in the film gate for proper recording by first and second pairs of registration pins 152 and 154, respectively. The second pair 154 of registration pins is positioned one and one-half perforations below the first pair of registration pins 152. These dual registration pins are spaced one and one-half perforation pitch or distance apart to properly register alternately a first film frame on which is recorded the first image and thereafter properly register the second film frame on which is recorded the next succeeding usable image. The mechanism of FIG. 19 is used to properly register the internegative film as sequential images from the interpositive are recorded thereon in a single pass. The dual registration pin arrangement accounts for the effective 0.4665 inch pitch or film pull-down, resulting from the consolidation according to the present invention. A pull-down claw 156 advances the film 148 0.4665 inch with each stroke. However, because this pull-down stroke of 0.4665 inch corresponds in 35mm film stock to two and one-half perforations, the start and end points of the pull-down claw 156 alternate, and the pull-down claw shuttles back and forth between the two start positions with each stroke. For example, in a first stroke to advance the film a distance of 0.4665 inch, the film gate 150 engages the film with the pull-down claw 156 at position Al and disengages the film from the first pair of registration pins 152. The pull-down claw 156 advances trie film through the film gate the 0.4665 inch distance to position A2. Therefore, the next succeeding film frame is positioned before the aperture 158 (FIG. 24) in the film gate. Because the film is advanced a fractional number of perforations for 35mm film stock, no pair of sprocket holes will be positioned then in front of the first pair of registration pins 152 but there will be a pair of perforations then positioned in front of the second pair of registration pins 154 which are positioned one and one-half perforations below the first pair of registration pins. As a result, the film gate engages the film with the second pair of perforation pins 154 while the first pair of registration pins remain disengaged (FIG. 21) . At the same time, the film gate disengages the film from the pull-down claw 156. The pull-down claw 156 returns upward to a position Bl one-half perforation above its original starting position to engage the next pair of perforations. There are no pairs of perforations located at the position Al from which the pull-down claw started since the film was advanced only two and a half perforations. The film gate then engages the film with the pull-down claw 156 while the first and second pairs of registration pins are disengaged. The pull-down claw then advances the film to position B2 another 0.4665 inch increment to once again position a pair of sprocket holes in front of the first pair of registration pins (FIG. 22) . The pull-down claw then shuttles between positions A1-A2 and B1-B2. The advancement and sequential registration of pins with corresponding sets of sprocket holes in the internegative film can be seen in FIGS. 23 and 24. In considering the internegative film of FIG. 23, it should be noted also that in the preferred embodiment using 35mm film stock, the bottom of each consolidated film frame falls either precisely on a perforation, such as Frames A, C, E, and so on, or precisely on a line extending half way between perforations, namely Frames B, D, F and so on. It should be noted also that the frame lines 160 are shown in an exaggerated form for clarity. However, it should be understood that the space constituting the frame lines 160 is minimal. In order to register each frame as the frame is presented in the film gate, the registration pins preferably engage sprocket holes above or below the film frame so that engagement of the film with the registration pins do not distort the film frame being exposed. Moreover, it is desirable to have the registration pins as close as possible to the film frame to be exposed. Therefore, to register the Frames B, D, F and so on, the first pair of oppositely disposed sprocket holes below the frame line between Frames A and B are used. For Frame B, the first registration pin pair 152 (FIG. 24) registers film Frame B. The first registration pin pair 152 is positioned a distance below the bottom edge of the aperture 158 equal to one half of the perforation pitch (the distance between adjacent perforations) and a half frame line. Therefore, the pull-down claw 156 (FIGS. 19-22) advances the internegative film 148 a distance of 0.4665 inch. When the film reaches its new position, sprocket holes will not be aligned with the first registration pin pair 152 but only with the second registration pin pair 154. The second registration pin pair is positioned in the film gate below the aperture 158 a distance approximately equal to 0.4665 inch plus the increment of one-half frame line so that the second pair of registration pins engage the sprocket holes designated by the letter C (FIG. 23) . The first pair of registration pins 152, therefore, engage the first sprocket holes below each film frame whose lower frame line falls between adjacent sprocket holes (Frames B, D, F) , while the second registration pin pair 154 engage the second full sprocket holes below the lower frame lines of those frames whose frame lines fall on a sprocket hole (Frames A,C,E) . It should be noted that the frame lines may fall elsewhere between perforations, but the alternating "at" and "between" arrangement is preferred because splices can be more easily made with the frame lines positioned as disclosed. Additionally, replication and consolidation can be more precise where frame lines are positioned precisely "at" and "between" perforations. Using the dual pin registration arrangement, consolidation of useable film images on an internegative film strip using an optical printer avoids the multiple pass consolidation process. The dual pin registration system also avoids adjustment of the printer projector or camera in order to properly position the useable images on the internegative film stock in the optical printer camera. However, as with the double pass consolidation process, the dual pin registration arrangement allows accurate printing of the consolidated images on the internegative film stock to reduce film waste, and to reduce the total film length required for a feature length motion picture. Other arrangements may also be used. The process described above for creating a 35mm release print produces images having a resolution of approximately 42 line pairs per millimeter. This resolution is improved relative to the resolution of conventional prints, at approximately 36 line pairs per millimeter. However, in a further embodiment of the present invention, image resolution for release prints can be increased to approximately 50 line pairs per millimeter through a dual optical printer process whereby an interpositive is produced from the original camera negative in an optical printer enlarging the images substantially two times onto 65mm film in an optical printer, after which an interpositive is produced onto 35mm film through a substantially 2:1 reduction in an optical printer. The final release print is then produced in a contact printer resulting in a resolution of approximately 50 line pairs per millimeter. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention (FIGS. 25-27) , 35mm original camera negative film 162 in the conventional Wide Screen format includes a plurality of frames such as first frame 164 and second frame 166 having the conventional dimensions. The useable image area corresponding to the dimensions 0.868 inch by 0.4665 inch is transferred in an optical printer such as that described above but wherein the useable image is enlarged two times onto 65mm film 168 in an area 1.736 inches by .0933 inch (FIG. 26). The useable images are preferably placed on the 65mm film without any substantial interframe space so that each subsequent frame is closely adjacent to the preceding frame. The useable images on the interpositive are then reduced in an optical printer at a ratio of 2:1 onto 35mm internegative film 170 wherein each frame occupies an area of 0.868 inch by 0.4665 inch. The internegative film has the same format and frame configuration as the internegative 114 previously described (FIG 11) . Specifically, the frame pitch is 0.4665 inch. There is very little, if any, interframe space and each frame is closely adjacent to the immediately preceding frame to minimize film waste. The internegative can then be used to produce, through a contact printer, release prints in the consolidated format which would allow for theater projection automation and which has better image resolution and greater screen definition. Significantly, the image resolution is greater in the prints developed by the process described with respect to FIGS. 25-27 because there is negligible loss of image resolution in the enlargement process going to the 65mm film from original camera negative to interpositive. Similar increased image resolution can be achieved with motion pictures filmed in the Scope format by enlargement from the original camera negative to the interpositive and subsequent reduction from the interpositive to the internegative (FIGS. 28-30) . Specifically, original camera negative Scope film 172 (FIG. 28) in the conventional format includes useable image information in the area defined by the 0.980 inch by 0.423 inch area on each frame 174. Each useable Scope image from the original camera negative 172 is enlarged 1:2.141 in an optical printer having a printer lens onto 65mm film 176 whereon the enlarged images 178 are 2.098 inch by 0.906 inch. As with the Wide Screen format, each image is recorded closely adjacent to the immediately preceding image and there is negligible change in image resolution with the enlargement. The interpositive is then reduced 2:1 in an optical printer having a printer lens onto a 35mm internegative film 180 (FIG. 30) within an image boundary or frame 1821.049 inches by 0.453 inch with negligible interframe space. The internegative 180 includes Fox perforations 184 to accommodate the 1.049 inches width of the frame. The frame pitch is 0.453 inch while the pull-down pitch is preferably still 0.4665 inch. As with the similar Wide Screen process, the Scope enlargement and reduction process produces motion picture film having higher image resolution and screen definition. The process also reduces film waste and provides a film release print which allows full theater automation. Significant benefits to the projection and exhibition of motion picture films flow from the film format of the present invention. Significant savings in film stock consumption result when multiple release prints are produced from the internegative of the present invention. The shorter release prints allow a feature length motion picture to be placed on a single reel, allow higher film transport rates in projectors and also full automation in exhibition of feature length motion picture films. In prior projection systems such as the platter system (FIG. 31) , a projector 186 has a film 188 threaded through it. An upper platter 190 is mounted on a feeder stand 192 to supply film to the projector. After the film passes through the projector, it is fed to a lower platter 194 similarly supported by the feeder stand 192. After each showing of the film 188, the film must be rethreaded through the projector. A trained projection attendant must typically re-thread the film after each showing and start the projector. Additionally, feature length motion picture films typically come in four or more reels each containing approximately 2,000 ft. lengths of film. These segments must be spliced together in proper order onto the platter ' s or, in the case of reel projectors, threaded onto one of several large reels. These projection systems require significant attention by projection personnel. When all of the screenings of the film have been completed, the film is then wound back onto the original reels after the splices are removed. The content of the film often requires repeated adjustments during a single play, for example, where previews are shown with the masking on the projector partially opened, after which full opening of the masking occurs at the beginning of the feature film. In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, a projection assembly 196 (FIG. 32) includes a standard 26 inch supply reel 198 of film 200 which is then fed onto a take up reel 202. The images are projected onto a standard screen 204, described more fully below. In the preferred embodiment, the consolidated motion picture film of the present invention can be provided on a single reel and would include a suitable reverse code at the end of the film to stop the projector and rewind the film at a linear speed of 600 to 800 feet per minute. The projector is modified according to the present invention by removing the standard drive sprocket 206 (FIG. 33) having a circumferential arc length "A" between teeth of 0.187 inch, corresponding to an arc "B" of 22.5 degrees, having a tooth base height "C" of 0.078 inch and a radius "D" of 0.4762 inch. This prior art sprocket was used to drive the conventional 35mm film having four perforations per frame. This drive sprocket is substituted with a smaller drive socket 208 (FIG. 34) having a circumferential arc length "A" between adjacent teeth of 0.187 inch and an arc "B" of 36 degrees. The base height "C" of the teeth is 0.078 inch while the radius "D" is 0.2976 inch. The sprocket is driven so as to present a new film image to the film gate aperture at the standard film frame rate, namely 24 frames per second. However, with the consolidated print, the film speed or projection speed is 56.25 feet per minute, compared to the conventional 90 feet per minute with present film prints. The projector is further simplified by eliminating the cylindrical lenses required for Scope projection, thereby increasing the light output from the projector for Scope projections. The enlargement of 1:2.141 and reduction of 1:2 used in creating and going from the 65 mm Scope interpositive to the internegative allow the use of spherical lenses to show a Scope film. Sound reproduction is dramatically enhanced when digital recording and playback are used with the film formats of the present invention and the film is run at 56.25 feet per minute. In the preferred embodiment of the final release prints for Wide Screen format (FIG. 35) , the release print 211 preferably includes an analog stereo sound track 210 and a SMPTE time code track 212 common in the industry. The perforations 214 are the conventional Kodak 35mm film perforations spaced and oriented in the same configuration. However, the consolidated frames 216 are arranged so as to have the 0.4675 inch pitch. Every other inter-frame line falls "at" a perforation while the remaining interframe lines coincide with the space "between" adjacent per orations. The release print may also include a bar code 218 common in the art containing information regarding film type, film rate, end of film, and the like. The 35mm consolidated release print 220 (FIG. 36) includes the SMPTE time code .222 and Fox perforations 224 and the ' bar code 226. The Scope size of frames 228 also have an effective 0.4675 inch pitch. The Scope release print omits the analog sound track but may include a digital inter-perforation sound track 230. Alternatively, a separate digital sound track can be recorded on another medium which can then be synchronized using the SMPTE time code. The projector includes a wide screen aperture 232 (FIG. 37) having Wide Screen opening dimensions 0.829 inch by 0.446 inch. The projector also includes the aperture 234 (FIG. 38) having Scope opening dimensions of 1.049 inches by 0.446 inch. The aspect ratio of the wide screen aperture is 1.85:1 and the aspect ratio of the SCOPE aperture is 2.35:1. The wide screen projected image illuminates a typical 27.75 foot by 15 foot high screen 236 (FIG. 39) while the Scope aperture illuminates a typical 35.25 foot by 15 foot high screen 238. As discussed above, the higher resolution images from the consolidated prints produce a higher screen definition. A Wide Screen spherical lens and a typical 75 foot throw produces a 2.23 inch E.F. (E.F. equals the throw divided by the screen height multiplied by the film image height.) The Scope spherical lens produces 2.23 inch E.F. with a typical 75 foot throw. In a further form of the optical printer (FIG. 40) , a stationary printer projector represented schematically at 240 passes an interpositive film at a 0.7464 inch pull-down pitch so that the useable image area of 0.4665 inch can be projected through a moveable lens 242 and onto a substantially 0.4665 inch film frame on an internegative advanced through a stationary printer camera represented schematically at 244. The printer camera advances the internegative film at a pull-down pitch of 0.933 inch. The moveable lens 240 is adjustable to a first off-set position preferably 0.0233 inch south of the printer centerline during a first pass of the interpositive and internegative film strips, to expose "odd" film frames onto the internegative. After the first pass is completed, the lens is off-set above the printer centerline, preferably 0.0233 inch north, while the internegative is advanced 0.3732 inch (e.g., two perforations on 35mm film) before beginning the second pass so that "even" film frames can be projected onto the remaining portions of the internegative film stock. The camera aperture configurations are preferably the same as those shown in FIG. 17 for the corresponding first and second film passes. In an alternative embodiment of the optical printer of FIG. 40, the printer projector 240, the printer lens 242 and the printer camera 244 are maintained stationary on the printer centerline and the useable images from the interpositive film are projected onto the 0.4665 inch frame on the internegative film stock with the "odd" frames being transferred in a first pass. At the end of the first pass, the positive and negative film rolls are turned over and rethreaded with the "even" frames of the interpositive film on the optical center of the printer, and with the internegative stock rethreaded so that the frames fall on the same center as previously configured. The interpositive and internegative film rolls are rotated in an "east/west" direction so that the film emulsions are still face-to-face. The unexposed portions of the internegative are centered on a 0.980 inch wide by 0.4665 inch high aperture vertically centered on the printer centerline. "Even" frames are then printed onto the internegative film stock. Table I shows a comparison of film formats, projection characteristics and exhibition characteristics for prior film formats and for the present invention. Table II shows various advantageous of the present invention over the prior film formats. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference only to the presently preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is limited only by the following claims. TABLE I PRIOR FORMATS PRESENT INVENTION 1.85:1 Wide Screen Film Camera (35mm .868" x .631" Same Academy) .825" x .446" Same Composition Interpositive .868" X .631" Same (35mm) Contact Interpositive N/A 1.736" X .933", (65mm) 1:2 35mm to 65mm opt. Replication Internegative .868" X .631" .868" X .4665", (35mm) Contact 1:1 35mm to 35mm opt. Replication Internegative N/A .868" X .4665", (35mm) 2:1 65mm to 35mm opt. Replication Release Print .868" X .631" .868" X .4675" (35mm) Contact Contact, Kodak Pf. 2.3521 Scope Film TABLE II 35MM FILM, PRINT AND PROJECTION SPECIFICATIONS OF CONVENTIONAL PRACTICE AND OF THE INVENTION Ratio Academy Invention Invention Advantage 1 : 1 Same Size Same Size 0.625 Less Film (37.5%) 1.60 More Frames/Ft (60%) 0.071 Less Waste (93%) 1 : 0.625 Less Film (37.5%) 10.625 Less Velocity (37.5%) 1 : 1 Same Presenta¬ tion TABLE II (Con't) Ratio Academy Invention Invention Advantage 1 : 0.625 Less Film (37.5%) 1 : 1 Same Screen Same Lens 1.60 More Prints (60%) 0.625 Less Expense (37.5%)

Claims: CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A 35mm print of a motion picture presentation, said print having a dimension of length intended to progress through a projector so as to project said images in their time relationship, the print having images distributed along the dimension of length in a sequence determined by the time relationship such that each image is next subsequent in time relative to the immediately preceding, adjacent image, wherein each image is a substantially 1:1 optical replication of a useable composition portion of an image from an original camera negative wherein the optical replication is substantially optically non-reduced relative to the corresponding original camera negative image and wherein longitudinally adjacent images are separated with no more than insubstantial non-image space, and the images extend only in a forward running time relationship in a single direction along the print length. 2. The print claim of claim 1 wherein the image corresponds to the useable, composition area of a Wide Screen image. 3. The print of claim 2 wherein the image is approximately 0.868 inch wide by 0.4675 inch. 4. The print of claim 2 wherein the insubstantial non-image space is no more than approximately 0.022 inch in length along the length of the film. 5. The print of claim 2 wherein the insubstantial non-image space is approximately zero. 6. The print of claim 1 wherein the image corresponds to the useable, composition area of a Scope image. 7. The print of claim 6 wherein the image is approximately 1.049 inch wide by 0.453 inch. 8. The print of claim 7 wherein the insubstantial non-image space is no more than approximately 0.046 inch in length along the length of the film. 9. The print of claim 7 wherein the insubstantial non-image space is approximately 0.014 inch. 10. A 35mm film print of a motion picture presentation, said print having a dimension of length intended to progress through a projector so as to project successive images in their time relationship, said print containing substantially 1:1 optical replications of useable " wide screen images defined by established boundaries of wide screen camera composition without substantial reduction or cropping of said useable wide screen image replications relative to the useable image width of 35mm print film wherein the successive images of the print are consolidated from the images of the original negative and are longitudinally adjacent without substantial non-image space between picture frames, whose interframe pitch is approximately 0.4675 inch, all of the images extending in a forward running time relationship in one direction along said print length. 11. A print of a motion picture presentation as defined in claim 1 wherein said print further includes coded information. 12. A 35mm print of a motion picture presentation, said print having a dimension of length intended to progress through a projector so as to project successive images in their time relationship, said print containing substantially 1:1 optical replications of useable wide screen images defined by established boundaries of wide screen camera composition without substantial reduction or cropping of said useable wide screen image replications relative to the useable image width of 35mm print film, wherein the successive images of the print are consolidated from the images of the original negative and are longitudinally adjacent without substantial non-image space between picture frames, whose interframe pitch is approximately 0.4675 inch, all of the images extending in a forward running time relationship in one direction along said print length, wherein each image corresponds to an integer number of perforations plus a fraction. 13. The print of claim 12 wherein said image is optically non-reduced from a standard motion picture original film image size. 14. The print of claim 12 wherein the images are spaced with respect to each other so as to leave substantially no interframe blank space and wherein successive images align alternatively with two perforations and with three perforations. 15. The print of claim 12 wherein adjacent images define an imaginary frame line and wherein frame lines occur on the film alternately on a perforation and between a perforation. 16. The print of claim 12 further comprising a sound track extending longitudinally along the film between a series of images and a series of perforations wherein the sound track is recorded to be run at a rate of approximately 56.25 feet per minute. 17. The print of claim 12 further comprising a sound track wherein the sound track extends longitudinally along the film between perforations and/or between a series of images and a series of perforations wherein the sound track is recorded digitally. 18. The print of claim 12 wherein each image is recorded with an aspect ratio of approximately 1.85:1. 19. The print of claim 12 wherein each image is recorded with an aspect ratio of approximately 2.35:1. 20. The print of claim 12 wherein each image on the print defines a width and height and wherein each image on the print corresponds to a useable image of an original camera negative wherein the ratio of the image of the print to the useable image of the original camera negative is substantially 1:1. 21. The print of claim 12 wherein the print includes a plurality of images extending in time relationship in one direction along the dimension of length of the film and wherein the number of picture frame images on the print is approximately 25.60 per linear foot of film. 22. The print of claim 12 wherein the print has a number of images per unit length, wherein the print includes images consolidated from an original camera negative having a number of frames per unit length, and wherein the ratio of the number of images per unit length on the print to the number of frames per unit length on the original camera negative is approximately 1.60:1. 23. The print of claim 12 having an overall length defined by the length of the given motion picture, and wherein the images on the print are obtained from an original camera negative, having a film length defined by the length of the motion picture, wherein the ratio of the length of the print to the length of the original camera negative is approximately 0.625:1. 24. A film printer for transferring images from a first film strip to a second film strip comprising: a first film projector; a film supply and a film take-up on the first film projector; a film camera for recording images from the first film strip onto the second film strip; a film supply and a film take-up on,the film camera; a printer lens between the projector and the camera; a film transport in the camera for moving the film from the film supply to the film take-up having a pull-down pitch of 0.933 inch per stroke; and a camera aperture for exposing only approximately half of the image recording area for each stroke distance of 0.933 inch. 25. The printer of claim 24 wherein the projector, camera and printer lens are configured to record each image from the first strip without substantial reduction or cropping of the useful original wide screen camera composition onto the second film strip with an aspect ratio of approximately 1.85:1. 26. The printer of claim 24 wherein the projector, camera and printer lens are configured to record each image from the first film strip without substantial reduction or cropping of the useful original wide screen camera composition onto the second film strip with an aspect ratio of approximately 2.35:1. 27. The printer of claim 24 wherein the projector, camera and printer lens are configured to record each image from the first film strip without substantial reduction or cropping of the useful original wide screen camera composition onto the second film strip with dimensions substantially 0.825 inch by 0.446 inch. 28. The printer of claim 24 wherein the projector, camera and printer lens are configured to record each image from the first film strip without substantial reduction or cropping of the useful original wide screen camera composition onto the second film strip with dimensions substantially 1.049 by 0.446 inch. 29. The printer of claim 24 wherein the printer transport advances the second film strip so as to produce a film frame pitch of 0.4665 inch. 30. The printer of claim 24 wherein the camera of the printer is a 65mm film camera and wherein the printer lens is arranged to enlarge images from the first film strip to the second film strip at a 1:2 ratio. 31. The printer of claim 24 wherein the projector of the printer is a 65mm film projector and wherein the printer lens is arranged to reduce images of the first strip to the second film strip at a 2:1 ratio. 32. The printer of claim 24 comprising a mechanical cam mechanism for activating a longitudinal alternating displacement of movement of a pull-down movement by approximately 0.0933 inch for each pull-down cycle, and further comprising dual alternating registration pin-sets spaced apart a distance equal to the pitch of at least one perforation plus the pitch of one-half perforation and wherein the longitudinal distance between the first registration pin-set relative to the picture frame line is equal to the pitch of one-half perforation. 33. The printer of claim 32 wherein the longitudinal distance between the first registration pin-set relative to the picture frame line is equal to the pitch of one-half perforation plus the pitch of at least one whole perforation and wherein the distance between the first and second alternating registration pin-sets is equal to the pitch of at least one perforation plus the pitch of one-half perforation. 34. The printer of claim 33 wherein the perforation pitch is 0.1866 inch. 35. The printer of claim 24 wherein the projector is a 65mm film projector. 36. The printer of claim 24 wherein the film camera is a 35mm film camera containing a movement having a pull-down pitch of approximately 0.933 inch with a stationary registration pin-set and having a film aperture approximately 0.4665 inch high by 0.868 inch wide to 1.049 inch wide and whose center is longitudinally offset from the pull-down pitch center by a distance of approximately 0.23325 inch positioned for projecting odd numbered frames of film from the projector during a first pass in the printer and where the aperture is longitudinally reversed 180 degrees relative to the film travel in the camera in a second pass and wherein the projector is displaced downward relative to a printer centerline equal to one-half the camera pull-down pitch for recording even numbered frames from the projector during the second pass. 37. The printer of claim 36 wherein the projector is a 65mm film projector. 38. The printer of claim 36 wherein the offset of the projector during the first printer pass is approximately 0.04665 inch above the optical centerline of the printer and wherein the offset of the projector during the second printer pass is approximately 0.04665 inch below the optical centerline of the printer and wherein the film of the camera is advanced approximately 0.3732 inch prior to the second printer pass. 39. The printer of claim 36 wherein both the projector and the camera are longitudinally positioned on the printer centerline and wherein the printer lens is offset 0.0233 inch below the printer centerline during the first pass; wherein the printer lens is offset 0.0233 inch above the printer centerline during the second pass, and wherein the film of the camera is advanced approximately 0.3732 inch prior to the second printer pass. 40. A method for printing film in a film printer for transferring images from a first film strip to a second film strip, the method comprising the steps of: transferring an exposed film through a film projector between a film supply and a film take-up; projecting light through an image contained on the first film strip; passing the projected light through a printer lens between the first film projector and a film camera; recording images passed through the printer lens onto the second film strip in the film camera as the film is passed from a camera film supply to a camera film take-up; transporting the film in the camera by moving the film from the film supply to the film take-up in pull-down increments of 0.933 inch per increment; and exposing only approximately half of the image recording area for each 0.933 inch increment. 41. An optical printer system according to claim 40, but where on completion of the first pass wherein the odd numbered interpositive frames were exposed on the internegative film stock, both the interpositive and internegative film rolls are removed from their respective projector and camera mechanisms, rotated in an "eas /west" direction so that the film emulsions are still face-to-face, replaced on their feed spindles and rethreaded in their respective projector and camera mechanisms with the even numbered positive frames on optical center and the five-perforation negative frame on its original center, whereon the even numbered positive frames are exposed on the unexposed internegative spaces. 42. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of projecting includes the step of projecting light on images on the first film strip so as to illuminate a useable image area of approximately 0.825 inch wide by 0.446 inch high for a Wide Screen format. 43. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of projecting includes the step of projecting light on images of the first film strip so as to illuminate a useable image area of approximately 0.999 inch wide by 0.425 inch high for a Scope format. 44. The method of claim 43 wherein the width and height aspect ratio of the useable images on the first film strip is approximately 2.35:1. 45. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of exposing includes the step of exposing the second film strip with an image from the first film strip over an area only within the picture frame delineated by 0.748 inch of standard separations with prior systems pulling down one frame at a time, wherein the improvement comprises: pull-down means for advancing a film print in a forward direction at a rate of 0.4675 inch for each picture frame; framing means for masking a currently pulled down frame so as to provide for projection of a single image as said film is running a forward direction; and includes the step of transporting a second film strip having square Fox-type perforations. 46. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of exposing comprises the step of exposing an area on the second film strip with the image from the first film strip over an area of approximately 1.049 inch wide by 0.446 inch high for the Scope format. 47. The method of claim 46 wherein the step of transporting the second film strip through the camera includes the step of transporting a second film strip having square Fox-type perforations. 48. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of exposing the second film strip includes the step of exposing an area on the second film strip with a useable image from the first film strip over an area of approximately 0.368 inch for a Wide Screen format. 49. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of exposing an area on the second film strip includes the step of exposing an area on the second film strip with a useable image from the first film strip over an area approximately 0.468 square inch for a Scope format. 50. The method of claim 49 wherein the ratio of the area of useable image on the second film strip of a Wide Screen format, wherein the area corresponding to the Wide Screen format is approximately 0.368 square inch, to the area of the useable image recorded in the Scope format wherein the area for the Scope format is approximately 0.468 square inch is approximately 1:1.27. 51. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of projecting includes the step of projecting light on a useable image area on the first film strip, the step of exposing includes the step of exposing a useable image from the first film strip on an area on the second, film strip, wherein the optical ratio of the useable image from the first film strip to the useable image on the second film strip is approximately 1:1. 52. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of exposing produces an image on the second film strip having a width to height aspect ratio in a Wide Screen format of approximately 1.85:1. 53. The method of claim 40 wherein the step of exposing includes the step of producing a recorded image on the second film strip having a width to height aspect ratio of a useable image in a Scope format of approximately 2.35:1. 54. A method for printing film in a film printer for transferring images from a first film strip to a second film strip, the method comprising the steps of: transferring an exposed film through a film projector between a film supply and a film take-up; projecting light through an image contained on the first film strip; passing the projected light through a printer lens between the first film projector and a film camera; recording images passed through the printer lens onto the second film strip in the film camera as the film is passed from a camera film supply to a camera film take-up; passing the second film strip from the camera film supply to the camera film take-up in increments defined by a longitudinal pull-down pitch of approximately 0.4665 inch; and exposing the second film with the useable image. 55. The method of claim 54 wherein the step of exposing includes the step of exposing an area on the second film strip with the useable image from the first film strip over a height of approximately 0.4665 inch. 56. The method of claim 55 wherein the step of exposing is repeated for an additional useable image for the first film strip and the step of exposing including the additional useable image adjacent to the first useable image over a height of approximately 0.4665 inch without substantial non-image space between the first and the additional images. 57. The method of claim 54 wherein the step of exposing produces a frame pitch for the second film strip and wherein the image on the first film strip which was projected and exposed onto the second film strip defines a frame pitch for the first film strip, wherein the ratio of the frame pitch of the second film strip to the frame pitch of the first film strip is approximately 0.625:1. 58. A motion picture projector for exhibiting motion pictures from a motion picture film strip having images arranged thereon, the projector comprising: a film supply and film take-up; a film gate; a lens assembly before the film gate and a light source behind the film gate; a film transport for transporting the film through the film gate from the film supply to the film take-up wherein the film transport moves the film a distance corresponding to one film frame at a time and wherein each film frame corresponds to 0.4675 inch in height. 59. The projector of claim 58 wherein the lens assembly includes spherical lenses. 60. The projector of claim 59 wherein the lens assembly contains only spherical lenses. 61. The projector of claim 58 wherein the transport pulls down the film approximately 0.4675 inch per stroke. 62. The projector of claim 58 wherein the film transport is capable of transporting film at a rate of approximately 56.25 feet per minute. 63. The projector of claim 58 wherein the movement of the film distance corresponding to one film frame defines an intermittent pull-down pitch, and wherein the images on the film of the projector were obtained from images on an original camera negative, having an intermittent pull-down pitch, wherein the ratio of the intermittent pull-down pitch of the projector to the intermittent pull-down pitch used in recording the original camera negative is approximately 0.625:1. 64. The projector of claim 58 wherein the film transport operates at a film frame rate, wherein the images on the film were obtained from a corresponding original camera negative recorded in a camera at a given film frame rate wherein the ratio of the film frame rate of the projector to the film rate of the camera is substantially 1:1. 65. An improved system for displaying motion pictures comprising an improved motion picture film print and a projector, said improved print including: a series of images sequenced to depict a motion picture while said improved print is moved through said projector in a forward direction; a progression of sprocket perforations in said improved print, said perforations being equally spaced apart; and said projector including: advancing means for moving said improved print in said forward direction 0.4675 inch for each image; and framing/masking means for ensuring that only one image is projected when said improved print is moved in said forward direction. 66. An improved motion picture projector for displaying motion picture film prints having a standard wide screen size image contained within the picture frame delineated by 0.748 inch of standard separations with prior systems pulling down one frame at a time, wherein the improvement comprises: pull-down means for advancing a ilm print in a forward direction at a rate of 0.4675 inch for each picture frame; framing means for masking a currently pulled down frame so as to provide for projection of a single image as said film is running a forward direction; and a spherical lens for projecting the image of the. improved print onto a motion picture screen. 67. An improved system for displaying motion pictures having a standard wide screen size image contained within the picture frame delineated heretofore by 0.748 inch of standard separations with prior system pulling down one frame at a time, and wherein a wide screen picture image has been presented heretofore as approximately sixty percent of the useable picture frame of such standard film and with the forty percent unused portion being masked by masking means, the improvement comprising: film means for providing picture frames delineated by 0.4675 inch separation between successive picture frame centers; pull-down means for advancing said film means a distance of 0.4675 inch per stroke; and framing means associated with a film projector of said system for positioning a currently pulled down frame so as to provide for film projection of the image; and whereby an improved system for displaying motion pictures is provided which provides individual projection images of said standard wide screen size in a forward run film which is approximately thirty-seven and one-half percent shorter than said standard film. 68. An improved system for displaying motion pictures as defined in claim 67 wherein said improvement further includes advancing said film at the standard rate of 24 frames per second while advancing said film at a rate of approximately 56.25 feet per minute. 69. An improved system for displaying motion pictures as defined in claim 68 wherein said film means further includes code means, said code means including code information located on said film means and a code pickup incorporated with said film projector for detecting said code information.

Inventors: VETTER RICHARD, VETTER, RICHARD
Applicants: UNITED ARTISTS THEATRE CIRCUIT, UNITED ARTISTS THEATRE CIRCUIT, INC.
Application year: 1992
Main classification: G03B37
IPC codes: G03B1, G03B21, G03B27, G03B37