Using an ARRI camera

LOADING THE ARRI

Equipment

• Changing bag

• Camera tape

• Film stock

• Magazine (400’)

• Air duster

• Pen

• Core

• Optional – scissors

LOADING AN EMPTY MAGAZINE

1. Before you even start take the film stock out of the fridge and let it warm up to room temperature.

2. Loading the film has be done in complete darkness, any light that gets onto the film will fog it. For this the black changing bag is used. Before starting find a quiet, semi-dark place where you will not be disturbed.

3. Take the changing bag and turn it inside out and shake out and dust. Also open up the magazine and clean out any dust with the air duster.

4. Once this is done put the magazine (with the core on the right hand spindle) and the film stock in the changing bag and close the zip and fasten the velcro.

5. Put your hands through the hand holes and locate all the items.

6. Open up the magazine (if it not already open) and make sure the empty core is on the right hand spindle.

7. Clip the film retaining clips together in the middle.

8. Take the film out of its can (or box if black and white) and out of the black plastic bag.

9. Make sure the sprocket holes are on the bottom side of the reel of film.

10. Place the film and the core in the left hand spindle and close the film retainer clips, this stops the film unravelling.

11. Locate the end and remove the tape, put the tape somewhere safe (for example stick it to the outside of the magazine).

12. Place the reel of film on the left hand spindle so the film feeds out clockwise.

13. Release the film retaining clips so they stop the reel from unwinding.

14. Pull out a short length of film to work with.

15. Feel for the bottom inside edge of the magazine, you should find a small triangle shape and either side of it two sprocket wheels.

16. Put the end of the film on the left hand sprocket wheel, ensuring the sprocket holes on the film fit into the sprockets.

17. On the underside of the magazine you should feel two cog wheels used for advancing the film. Turn these anti-clockwise. After a few turns you should feel the end of the film appear from a slit on the under side of the magazine.

18. Along the left hand edge of the bottom half of the magazine near the hinge is a notch. Keep winding on the film until you can pass the length of the film around the edge of the magazine until it reaches the notch. This gives you the length of the loop. It is crucial to be accurate about this so if you are ever not sure if the length has changed for any reason it is best to check.

19. Take the end of the film and place it into the slot opposite where the film comes out from on the left hand side.

20. Advance the film by turning the cogs anti-clockwise until you have enough to wind around the core and it is secure.

21. Close the magazine tightly and lock.

22. You can now remove the magazine from the changing bag.

23. Tape all the way round the edge of the magazine, and put a short length of tape over the lock – this prevents light leakage.

24. On lengths of tape write the length of the film in the magazine (400’), the roll number (roll 1) and the film stock number (e.g. 7275).

25. The magazine is now ready to be put on the camera.

NB – if you want to put the blimp on the magazine to reduce the noise made by the magazine put it on before you put the magazine on the camera.

LOADING A FULL MAGAZINE

1. Remove any tape from the outside of the magazine.

2. Put the closed magazine, the new film can and the camera tape in the changing bag and seal the bag.

3. Open the magazine and the new can of film.

4. Open the film retaining clips. Gently put your fingers underneath the core on which the film is wound on the right hand spindle and prise the roll of film from the spindle and stick down the end with a piece of camera tape.

5. Move the empty core over to the right hand spindle.

6. Put down the exposed film stock and take out the unexposed film stock from the can and the black plastic bag and place the roll on the left hand spindle.

7. Put the exposed film into the black plastic bag and into the film can and close the film can.

8. Load the unexposed film stock as above (steps 10 – 21).

9. When you have close the magazine you can now open the changing bag and remove the magazine and film can.

10. Tape around the film can and clearly write on it EXPOSED (there are often stickers provided), the production name, the directors name, the roll number, the stock number and the length.

11. Tape around the magazine and follow steps 23 – 25 above.

12. Place the exposed stock in the fridge until it is ready for development.

UNLOADING THE MAGAZINE

1. Put the closed magazine and an empty can and black plastic bag in the changing bag and seal it.

2. Open the magazine and then open the film retaining clips. Gently put your fingers underneath the core on which the film is wound on the right hand spindle and prise the roll of film from the spindle and stick down the end with a piece of camera tape.

3. Put the exposed film into the black plastic bag and into the film can and close the film can.

4. You can now open the changing bag and remove the magazine and film can.

5. Tape around the film can and clearly write on it EXPOSED (there are often stickers provided), the production name, the directors name, the roll number, the stock number and the length.

6. Place the exposed stock in the fridge until it is ready for development.