Leaders

A length of film or magnetic tape spacing that is attached to the beginning or end of a reel to provide protection during handling, identification and copying.There are many types of leaders: cream leader, clock leader, coloured frameline, etc.

A motion picture film’s identification information should be written on both Head and Tail leaders using a waterbased pen. If the film is cleaned in a solvent solution this information will remain. Identification information should not be written on clock leaders.

The NFSA writes the following information on film leaders.

• Appropriate “HEAD” or “TAIL”
• Reel number e.g. “1/1” or “3/5” etc.
• Title and component identification numbers e.g. “345 – 01”
• Title in full e.g. “AUSTRALIA CALLING, 1951; [OTHER SEGMENTS]”
• Technical code e.g. PP/FF
• Material type e.g. “NITRATE” / “ACETATE” / “POLYESTER”
• “NATIONAL FILM and SOUND ARCHIVE”

The following diagrams detail appropriate leaders that are used at Australia’s National Film and Sound Archive. Non-standard leaders should be replaced with NFSA standard leaders, any information from the non-standard leaders should be recorded before they are replaced.

35mm Printing Requirements

Silent or Mute, Negative or Positive

Protective Section: 18 feet of Cream Leader (Raw Stock). Film identification information begining with the word “HEAD” written on in waterbased pen.
Lace Up Mark: A sync mark needs to be added onto the Cream leader 32 frames before the Resolution Chart. refer sync mark.
Cream leader continues for 32 frames to Reso chart splice.
Resolution Chart: (or “Reso”) 5 frames of the appropriate NFSA resolution chart (neg or pos) refer Resolution Chart.
Greyscale: 5 frames of the appropriate NFSA grey scale (neg or pos)
Cream Leader continues for 32 frames before splicing to picture.
Silent Material: Picture material either negative or positive.
Protective Tail: 20 feet of Cream Leader (Raw Stock or similar) with film identification information including the word “TAIL” written on in waterbased pen.

Composite Material

Protective Section: Around 10 feet of Cream Leader (Raw Stock). Film identification information begining with the word “HEAD” written on in waterbased pen. (The protective leader should be replaced if it has been reduced to 6 feet by damage).

Sync Mark: A sync mark needs to be added onto the Cream leader 32 frames before the Resolution Chart. refer sync mark.
Cream leader continues for 32 frames to Reso chart splice.
Resolution Chart: (or “Reso”) 5 frames of the appropriate NFSA resolution chart (neg or pos) refer Resolution Chart.
Greyscale: 5 frames of the appropriate NFSA grey scale (neg or pos)
SMPTE Clock Leader: If the sound track begins on the clock leader, that portion of leader must be retained (normally 19 frames of black before picture begins), and the equivalent number of frames of the new SMPTE clock removed (to maintain the correct length of clock).
Composite Material: Either Picture, Sound or Composite material.
SMPTE Tail: Including 87 frames of ‘runout’ plus 53 frames of ‘SMPTE Identification Section.Similar to the head, retain any sound and remove the same number of frames of SMPTE clock.(unlikely as sound leads picture)
Protective Tail: 10 feet of Cream Leader (Raw Stock or similar) with film identification information including the word “TAIL” written on in waterbased pen.

Sound Tracks

Sound only films that are to be synchronised with image components to make Composite Prints need SMPTE clock leaders attached, see composite diagram above.

If a sound only film is not to be synced with image components attach cream leader only.

Leave any bloops, light notches or sync marks intact on the sound track and/or leaders.

Duping Material

Usually leaders have been printed through from previous copying. Unless these are non-SMPTE clocks on sound material, or very damaged, they should be retained.

Magnetic Tape

No leaders are required, but for protection place c10’of cream spacing at the Head and Tail. The leader should not be spliced to the magnetic tape, just interwoven with the magnetic tape.

Telecine Requirements

Ensure film has enough leader at the Head and Tail so that it can be safely laced onto the telecine machine. The leader can be cream (raw stock), clock, spacing or junk film.

• 16mm at least 10’ of leader at the Head and Tail.
• 35mm at least 20’ of leader at the Head and Tail.

Ensure that all details are recorded onto leaders in waterbased pen as mentioned previously.

Projection Print Requirements

Check any old tape joins which are dry, yellowing or have a gap. These are to be removed and a new tape join created. All existing cement joins are to be taped on the base side.

35mm Print

• Head 15’ of Yellow frameline spacing
• SMPTE Positive Clock leader
• NFSA Positive Logo (Reel Number 1 only)
• Film Program
• 10’ Black spacing (without frameline, measure with gang sync.)
• Tail 15’ of Blue frameline spacing

16mm Print

• Head 10’ Yellow spacing (single perforation)
• SMPTE Positive Clock leader
• NFSA Logo (Reel Number 1 only)
• Film Program
• 2’ Black spacing (single perforation)
• Tail 10’ Blue spacing (single perforation)