Flatbed editor

The cutting table is the workplace and the cutting tool or master cutter in the production of a film. A cutting table consists of:

• Film drive, lamp, condenser optics and screen;
• A base with a smooth clean work surface; thereon
• At least 2, usually 4 or more driven by motors plate, on which the film and or the magnetic film are;
• Tooth and pulleys that guide the material,
• Magnettonköpfen together with mixer amplifier and speaker and a
• ( Often ) differential gear for at least one sound drum.

The film is out in the forward run from left to right on the cutting table and unlike a film projector moves continuously. To project the constantly moving picture film resting on the ground glass, a rotating prism crowns in the film drive with at twice the tangential velocity of the film. The force generated by the multiple reflection at different angles slight distortion of the images is offset by the reduced wear of the film strip and the ability to look at up to ten times the speed.

Depending on the configuration of the cutting table image or three soundtracks can be played in sync with up to three. Cutting tables are available for 70 -mm, 35 -mm, 16 - mm and Super 8 film.

Thanks to the " differential " synchrony of image and sound is easy to find, provided even if the synchronization flags are missing, pilot tone or quartz- controlled motors of the camera and audio equipment. A sound drum can be left against the run slower or faster image until you have lips or point-synchronous impression. This state is reached once, the picture and sound you drive parallel to a convenient location and relies on each strip a brand. Most often gets the first image, a diagonal cross and the sound a (double ) dash. In addition, the relevant numbers are written, for example 15-2 for setting 15 second recording.

Brands

Horizontal cutting tables have been and are in Germany by the companies Klangfilm TOBIS, Berlin ( 1930), Lytax, Freiburg im Breisgau, Steenbeck, Hamburg ( 1953), Keller electronics mechanics, Hamburg, Pentacon, Dresden, Schmid, Straubing, and Arnold & Richter, Munich, built.

According to the same principle is used by the manufacturers Prévost, Milano, De Oude Delft (Netherlands), Atlas and Moritone (France). In Switzerland, there were specific cutting tables for 35 - mm film from a Rümlang manufactory, presumably from the environment of the producer Walter Kaegi.

In America, instead, was the Moviola in use, which leads to the film vertically and is equipped with a switching role. It was not until around 1970 came the European cutting table in America is in use, for example, the Showcron. From 1990, the mechanical cutting equipment of digital systems were ( Avid, PC film or video editing programs ) pressed, but they are still in use worldwide.