Universal film leader
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A universal film leader is a length of film attached to the head of a film to assist in lacing a telecine machine or projector. It is marked with visual and audio information that may be used to ensure that the correct amount of time is allowed for the machine to run up to speed and arrive at the beginning of the program or movie. In most cases, it is an animated countdown starting from eleven to three, or from eight to two.
Two versions are the most well-known. One version, from the 1950s, called the "Academy Leader" or "Society Leader." It had a crosshair pattern on a black background with arrows on the side, and counting from eleven to three. Between each number (except before three), "16 SOUND" and "35 SOUND" would flash on screen on the crosshairs. "NINE" and "SIX" were spelled out, in case the leader was projected upside down, to avoid confusion between 6 and 9. Right before the countdown began, "16 SOUND" and "35 SOUND" would flash a few times, and then "PICTURE START" would appear and the countdown would begin. At 3, a quick beep is heard.
In the mid-1960s, SMPTE replaced it with a newer universal leader, called the "SMPTE Universal Leader." This one is the most well-known of the film leaders. It featured a countdown from eight to two, with the numbers in the center of a target with two white circles and a "wipe" animation rotating clockwise. At the beginning, before the countdown, it features "16 SOUND START" and then "35 SOUND START" in a circle target. Then "PICTURE START" appears and the countdown begins. During the four count, the letters "C C F F" would appear around the countdown. At two, a quick beep would be heard. The video editing software Adobe Premiere (as well as later versions, including Adobe Premiere Pro and Adobe Premiere Elements) feature a computer-generated version of the SMPTE leader, entitled the "Adobe Universal Leader." It can be customized with different colors, and can be set to beep either at the beginning of each number or just at the two.
