A film synchronizer is a device used in the
editing
Editing is the process of selecting and preparing written, photographic, visual, audible, or cinematic material used by a person or an entity to convey a message or information. The editing process can involve correction, condensation, ...
phase of
filmmaking
Filmmaking (film production) is the process by which a motion picture is produced. Filmmaking involves a number of complex and discrete stages, starting with an initial story, idea, or commission. It then continues through screenwriting, casti ...
.
Film synchronizers generally have 1 to 8 "gang(s)", or slots through which film can be threaded. Each gang consists of a group of large diameter
sprocket
A sprocket, sprocket-wheel or chainwheel is a profiled wheel with teeth that mesh with a chain, track or other perforated or indented material. The name 'sprocket' applies generally to any wheel upon which radial projections engage a chain pass ...
s on a common shaft. A rotating knob on the front, which moves the threaded film through the gangs, operates the synchronizer's movement. At the same time, there is a mechanical numerical
counter
Counter may refer to:
Mathematics and computing
* Counter machine, a subclass of register machines
* Counter (digital), an electronic device, mechanical device, or computer program for counting
* Loop counter, the variable that controls the iterat ...
which records the amount of film that has passed through the gangs. The unit may have a counter that counts the number of
frames
A frame is often a structural system that supports other components of a physical construction and/or steel frame that limits the construction's extent.
Frame and FRAME may also refer to:
Physical objects
In building construction
*Framing (co ...
, or the length of the
footage
In filmmaking and video production, footage is raw, unedited material as originally filmed by a movie camera or recorded by a ( often special) video camera, which typically must be edited to create a motion picture, video clip, television ...
. The entire purpose of the film synchronizer is to ensure that the film is in "sync" with other reels of film when it is hand-cranked through the gangs. The film editor may have a
soundtrack
A soundtrack is recorded music accompanying and synchronised to the images of a motion picture, drama, book, television program, radio program, or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack o ...
on one gang, which can be read with an audio amplifier.
The synchronizer is used in conjunction with several other devices on what is called the editing "bench". The film synchronizer is specifically used to track the length of a reel of film.
Both 16 mm and 35 mm versions exist, as well as versions with both 16 mm and 35 mm sprockets geared together so that the same number of frames are transported on each section.
Film and video technology
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