ABSTRACT
The technique of looping goes back to the beginnings of motion picture sound. In order to re-perform dialog over an existing visual performance, a "looping editor" would have to roll both picture and optical track through a synchronizer, listening for the lines using the optical head mounted over the second gang of the sync block. The editor would add a little extra on either side of the line so that the actor would have a lead-in. The punched hole in the film was to assist the projectionist when he or she would slide the looped picture into the gate of the projector. It was often extremely difficult in the dim light of the projection booth to see the grease pencil marks once the film was inside the gate area, but there was no mistaking the bright illumination coming through the punched hole, even when the douser of the projector was closed.
