Ordering Superimposed Titles
When you have decided where you want titles and backgrounds to begin and end you can cut the shots you intend to use as backgrounds into your cutting copy in the normal way, using the rush print. Then you can turn your attention to the edge numbers and give the laboratory instructions by quoting the numbers at which you want titles to cut in and out or fade in and out and where you wish the backgrounds to change as well.
You must ask the laboratories to prepare a dupe incorporating the titles and you must supply them with precise details of what you want, listed on an optical instruction sheet. Here are some details from a typical instruction sheet:
Start background dupe at 29U976 18 – 4.
Start 20 frame fade in of title “Sorel Films present” at 29 U97619 + 0.
Start 20 frame fade out of title only at 29 U97621 – 10.
Cut out of background at 29 U97 622 + 11.
Cut into background 29U46l021 + 7.
At 29U 46022 start 20 frame fade in of title “Peter Ustinov at Home”.
29U46024 + 7 start 20 frame fade out of title.
29U46025 – 15 cut out of background.
In the example shown, we have faded the titles in and out and cut the backgrounds in and out. It is quite possible to mix from one title to another while superimposing the backgrounds. You can also mix from one background to another either at the same or at a different point. Specify exactly what you want to do by using the edge numbers on the side of the background film. You do not need to specify the numbers of the title lettering. The laboratories will then produce the necessary dupe.
Coloured lettering for titles
I have said that the lettering should be filmed on black and white stock, using white lettering on black card. This does not mean that the lettering on the finished titles can not be coloured. It is quite possible to tint the lettering when making the dupe. Yellow and red tints work particularly well on 16mm. When a film has been neg cut, the edited original can be returned to the laboratories and prints of the final version of the film can be produced. That is all as far as the picture is concerned but there is also the sound to be cut.
Edge numbers enable you to give precise instructions to the laboratory. Always dupe complete shots and give numbers for the start and end of the background dupes and for the start and end of superimposition or optical effects. Laboratories will often provide pads of optical order forms to help.