8mm Forum: Strange Film Shake Problem

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Topic: Strange Film Shake Problem

Chip Gelmini
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1733
From: Brooksville, FL
Registered: Jun 2003

posted December 24, 2005 07:12 PM

I have two reels, one is a short and the other from a feature. No matter what machine I use, the reels shake violently from side to side as it plays. As soon as the next reel goes through, everything is fine. Obviously this must be a mastering problem, because the projector doesn't seem to make any kind of extra noise. The picture shakes so much, I can see the sprocket on the screen, in this case, it's about 12 inches tall (at 30 ft throw). This happens to be reel 4 from 2001 a space odessy (scope acetate) and Tassle in the Air, a 3 stooges short. Has anyone else seen this problem?

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Jan Bister
Darth 8mm

Posts: 2629
From: Ohio, USA
Registered: Jan 2005

posted December 25, 2005 03:18 AM

Weird!!

Is the film shrunken? Narrower width than it should be? Try matching up the sprocket holes with another (known good) piece of film. Are the edges of the film smooth? If either edge is roughed up due to some kind of unusual damage from previous screenings, that could definitely be a cause of the sideways jittering.

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Call me Phoenix. *dusts off the ashes*

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Adrian Winchester
Film God

Posts: 2941
From: Croydon, London, UK
Registered: Aug 2004

posted December 26, 2005 10:35 AM

I think the films in question could be overwide - the fact that you can see sprocket holes makes me think that the width of the area between the holes and the edge of the film is wider than usual and therefore pushing the holes into the gate area. If so, there may be too much sideways pressure for the film to go smoothly through the gate.

If I'm right, the problem can be cured via a rarely-seen device known as an equaliser, which is used between rewind arms and has a sharp blade which can slice a tiny amount off the sprocket hole edge of the film. I know someone in the UK who has been able to assist in such instances, but I don't know if you can track down an owner of one in the USA.

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Adrian Winchester

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Antoine Orsero
Master Film Handler

Posts: 374
From: marseille france
Registered: Jun 2003

posted December 26, 2005 01:44 PM

When the film is held on the projector, to try to grip film with the inch and the index of your hand right at the exit of the reel top! If the film stabilizes it is that it misses a little greasing!

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Tony

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