Filming Kennedy: Home Movies from Dallas

Cutting Film

X-acto knives, scalpel, razor blade and sharp scissors: These cutting tools are used to remove old splicing tape, remove leader film or form other cuts on film. A scalpel can be fitted with blades of different sizes and is ideal for cutting, gentle scraping or lifting.

Splicing Film

Splicer: A splicer is a machine used to join two pieces of film. Splicing tape or film cement binds the two pieces of film together. The splicer shown here is a presstape splicer, which uses presstape—one type of splicing tape—to join the two pieces of film. This splicer is shown with a piece of leader film on it.

Splicing tape: This transparent adhesive tape is used for repairing film. The yellow packets in the front of the splicer shown here contain presstape, one type of splicing tape.

Leader film: Leader is blank film that is attached at the beginning and end of a film roll to make handling easier. Leader film can also be used to separate short films or shots on a single film roll. Leader film is also a place to write a label that identifies the film.

Viewing Film

Rewind: This hand-cranked or motorized tool is used for winding and transferring film safely.

Reel: These metal or plastic hubs have extended sides between which film is wound for projection. Reels come in a variety of standard sizes that correspond to the format and length of the films.