ABSTRACT
After rushes have been viewed to sort the wheat from the chaff, the 'wanted' takes should be identified and transferred to a format suitable for the off-line edit. Traditionally, Hi-band U-matic machines have been used for this, as the format supports timecode. Some post-production houses, at least one broadcaster, and some manufacturers, have developed VITC generators that will lay code onto Lo-band and VHS. Laying down a proper time-address signal is preferable to burning-in the code, as the off-line editor has the options of switching it in or out, whether to put it in a 'letter-box' or superimpose it, and - important where to place it on the screen. If code has to be burnt in, consideration should be given as to where to place it within the image. Some editors will wish to see the bottom of the picture, as footsteps can be used to help sync pictures with sound. Superimposed code can be more difficult to read, but is less obtrusive than code in a letter-box. Whatever method is used, the time addresses must correspond with those on the rushes. If the off-line tapes are from film transfer, both KeyKode® and the in-camera recorded code should be transferred, and the time addresses also stored in a computer database for later conforming and negative cutting once the offline edit has been done.
