ISO 4241:2019
(Main)Cinematography — Projection film leader (time-based), trailer and cue marks — Specifications
Cinematography — Projection film leader (time-based), trailer and cue marks — Specifications
This document specifies the makeup or assembly of time-based leaders and cue marks for 70 mm, 35 mm, and 16 mm motion-picture release prints. NOTE Extraneous materials are dealt with in Annex A.
Cinématographie — Amorce de début et fin et repère de synchronisation pour la projection — Spécifications
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INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 4241
Fifth edition
2019-07
Cinematography — Projection film
leader (time-based), trailer and cue
marks — Specifications
Cinématographie — Amorce de début et fin et repère de
synchronisation pour la projection — Spécifications
Reference number
©
ISO 2019
ISO 4241:2019(E)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Fax: +41 22 749 09 47
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved
ISO 4241:2019(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Reduction ratio . 1
5 General specifications . 1
6 Head leader (see Figure 1) . 2
6.1 Protective section . 2
6.2 Splicing frame . 3
6.3 Identification section . 3
6.4 Synchronizing section . 4
6.5 Splicing frame . 6
7 Picture section (see Figure 5) . 7
7.1 Picture . 7
7.2 Motor cue . 7
7.3 Changeover cue . 7
8 Trailer (foot) leader (see Figure 5) .9
8.1 Splicing frame . 9
8.2 Runout section . 9
8.3 Identification section . 9
8.4 Protective section .10
Annex A (informative) Extraneous materials .11
ISO 4241:2019(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www .iso
.org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 36, Cinematography.
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition (ISO 4241:2013), of which it constitutes a
minor revision. The changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— change of the title;
— editorial revision of the structure of the document.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 4241:2019(E)
Cinematography — Projection film leader (time-based),
trailer and cue marks — Specifications
1 Scope
This document specifies the makeup or assembly of time-based leaders and cue marks for 70 mm,
35 mm, and 16 mm motion-picture release prints.
NOTE Extraneous materials are dealt with in Annex A.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 4238:1976, Cinematography — Optical printing ratios for enlargement and reduction of motion-picture
film images — Specifications
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
4 Reduction ratio
The reduction ratio in the production of the head and foot leaders from 35 mm motion-picture film to
16 mm motion-picture film shall be in accordance with ISO 4238.
5 General specifications
5.1 Orientation and dimensions of letters and numerals in this document are with respect to 35 mm
motion-picture films and are modified proportionally in accordance with ISO 4238 for 70 mm and
16 mm prints.
5.2 Information appearing in the leader which is printed lengthwise (in the direction of film travel)
shall read from left to right when viewed from the projection lens towards the projector light source with
the head end of the film at the right. Information appearing in the leader which is printed upright shall
read normally when the reel is uppermost and the head of the film hangs down ready for threading (see
Figures 1 and 5 for orientation of information).
5.3 All frames in the head-leader and trailer-leader identification sections (see 6.3 and 8.3) and
in frames 1 through 171 of the head-leader synchronizing section (see 6.4) shall be masked to the
nominal anamorphic projection aperture [20,95 mm (0,825 in) × 17,53 mm (0,690 in)] with clear
framelines nominally the height of anamorphic projection aperture framelines [1,55 mm (0,061 in)].
Frames 172 through 218 of the head-leader synchronizing section and frames 1 through 87 of the
ISO 4241:2019(E)
trailer-leader runout section shall be masked to the nominal anamorphic camera aperture [21,95 mm
(0,864 in) × 18,59 mm (0,732 in)] with clear framelines nominally the height of anamorphic camera-
aperture framelines [0,41 mm (0,016 in)].
5.4 Because many types of film may be used for leaders, exact neutral densities have not been specified.
For the purpose of this document, the following approximate neutral densities are referred to:
— clear (neutral density less than 0,35);
— black (neutral density greater than 1,95).
6 Head leader (see Figure 1)
6.1 Protective section
The protective section of the leader shall consist of a minimum of 2,44 m (8 linear feet) of transparent
or raw stock. When the protective leader has been reduced to a length of 1,83 m (6 linear feet), it shall
be restored to its original length. Logos, trademarks, part titles, or other extraneous materials, if
absolutely necessary, should be placed in this section.
NOTE 1 Repeats frames 44 through 58 of synchronizing section.
NOTE 2 Film shown as viewed from projection lens towards projector light source.
NOTE 3 Cross-hatched frames represent a black background with clear images; non-cross-hatched frames
represent a clear background with black images.
Figure 1 — Head leader
2 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved
ISO 4241:2019(E)
6.2 Splicing frame
A single frame with the upright words “SPLICE HERE” and an arrow pointing to the frameline between
this frame and frame 1 of the identification section to indicate where the protective section joins the
identification section. The clear letters should be at least 3,2 mm (1/8 in) high on a black background.
6.3 Identification section
The identification section of the leader shall be 43 frames in length. The identification section of the
head leader, when viewed as specified in 5.2, shall be made up as follows:
— Frame 1 — Black.
— Frame 2 — The word “BEG” in clear letters 11,1 mm (7/16 in) high printed upright in the centre of
the frame, on a black background.
— Frame 3 — Black.
— Frame 4 — The word “of” in clear letters 2,4 mm (3/32 in) high printed lengthwise in the centre of
the frame, on a black background.
— Frame 5 — Black.
— Frame 6 — The words “Subject”, “Reel No.”, and “Language” in clear letters 2,4 mm (3/32 in) high
printed lengthwise, on a black background.
— Frame 7 — Black.
— Frame 8 — The words “Length”, “Titles”, and “Track” with clear letters 2,4 mm (3/32 in) high printed
lengthwise, on a black background.
— Frames 9-10 — Black.
— Frame 11 — The words “Lab”, “Company”, and “Prod No.” with clear letters 2,4 mm (3/32 in) high
printed lengthwise, on a black background.
— Frame 12 — The word “HEAD” in black letters nominally 9,5 mm (3/8 in) high printed upright in the
centre of the frame, on clear background.
— Frame 13 — A 1/8 in (3,2 mm) diameter black dot in the centre of the frame on a clear background.
— Frame 14 — The word “PICTURE” in black letters nominally 9,5 mm (3/8 in) high printed upright in
the centre of the frame, on a clear background.
— Frames 15-16 — Two frames in which the words “SMPTE Projection Leader” in clear letters are
printed upright on a black background. The letters shall not be less than 3,2 mm (1/8 in) high.
— Frame 17 — Four letter “X”s, printed in a lengthwise line adjacent to the 35 mm analogue photographic
audio record, approximately 7,9 mm (5/16 in) from the 35 mm camera aperture centreline towards
the 35 mm analogue photographic audio record. Letters shall be clear, 3,2 mm (1/8 in) high and
3,2 mm (1/8 in) wide, on a black background.
— Frames 18-19 — Same as frames 15-16.
— Frames 20-23 — Same as frames 3-6.
— Frame 24 — Black.
— Frames 25-26 — The words “Special Data” with clear letters 2,4 mm (3/32 in) high printed lengthwise
along the edge of the frame opposite the sound track area, on a black background, starting in the
26th frame.
— Frames 27-28 — Black.
----------------------
...
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 4241
Fifth edition
2019-07
Cinematography — Projection film
leader (time-based), trailer and cue
marks — Specifications
Cinématographie — Amorce de début et fin et repère de
synchronisation pour la projection — Spécifications
Reference number
©
ISO 2019
ISO 4241:2019(E)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED DOCUMENT
© ISO 2019
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, or required in the context of its implementation, no part of this publication may
be reproduced or utilized otherwise in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, or posting
on the internet or an intranet, without prior written permission. Permission can be requested from either ISO at the address
below or ISO’s member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
CP 401 • Ch. de Blandonnet 8
CH-1214 Vernier, Geneva
Phone: +41 22 749 01 11
Fax: +41 22 749 09 47
Email: copyright@iso.org
Website: www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved
ISO 4241:2019(E)
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Reduction ratio . 1
5 General specifications . 1
6 Head leader (see Figure 1) . 2
6.1 Protective section . 2
6.2 Splicing frame . 3
6.3 Identification section . 3
6.4 Synchronizing section . 4
6.5 Splicing frame . 6
7 Picture section (see Figure 5) . 7
7.1 Picture . 7
7.2 Motor cue . 7
7.3 Changeover cue . 7
8 Trailer (foot) leader (see Figure 5) .9
8.1 Splicing frame . 9
8.2 Runout section . 9
8.3 Identification section . 9
8.4 Protective section .10
Annex A (informative) Extraneous materials .11
ISO 4241:2019(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards
bodies (ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out
through ISO technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical
committee has been established has the right to be represented on that committee. International
organizations, governmental and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work.
ISO collaborates closely with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of
electrotechnical standardization.
The procedures used to develop this document and those intended for its further maintenance are
described in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 1. In particular, the different approval criteria needed for the
different types of ISO documents should be noted. This document was drafted in accordance with the
editorial rules of the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2 (see www .iso .org/directives).
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights. Details of
any patent rights identified during the development of the document will be in the Introduction and/or
on the ISO list of patent declarations received (see www .iso .org/patents).
Any trade name used in this document is information given for the convenience of users and does not
constitute an endorsement.
For an explanation of the voluntary nature of standards, the meaning of ISO specific terms and
expressions related to conformity assessment, as well as information about ISO's adherence to the
World Trade Organization (WTO) principles in the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) see www .iso
.org/iso/foreword .html.
This document was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 36, Cinematography.
This fifth edition cancels and replaces the fourth edition (ISO 4241:2013), of which it constitutes a
minor revision. The changes compared to the previous edition are as follows:
— change of the title;
— editorial revision of the structure of the document.
Any feedback or questions on this document should be directed to the user’s national standards body. A
complete listing of these bodies can be found at www .iso .org/members .html.
iv © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 4241:2019(E)
Cinematography — Projection film leader (time-based),
trailer and cue marks — Specifications
1 Scope
This document specifies the makeup or assembly of time-based leaders and cue marks for 70 mm,
35 mm, and 16 mm motion-picture release prints.
NOTE Extraneous materials are dealt with in Annex A.
2 Normative references
The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 4238:1976, Cinematography — Optical printing ratios for enlargement and reduction of motion-picture
film images — Specifications
3 Terms and definitions
No terms and definitions are listed in this document.
ISO and IEC maintain terminological databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https: //www .iso .org/obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at http: //www .electropedia .org/
4 Reduction ratio
The reduction ratio in the production of the head and foot leaders from 35 mm motion-picture film to
16 mm motion-picture film shall be in accordance with ISO 4238.
5 General specifications
5.1 Orientation and dimensions of letters and numerals in this document are with respect to 35 mm
motion-picture films and are modified proportionally in accordance with ISO 4238 for 70 mm and
16 mm prints.
5.2 Information appearing in the leader which is printed lengthwise (in the direction of film travel)
shall read from left to right when viewed from the projection lens towards the projector light source with
the head end of the film at the right. Information appearing in the leader which is printed upright shall
read normally when the reel is uppermost and the head of the film hangs down ready for threading (see
Figures 1 and 5 for orientation of information).
5.3 All frames in the head-leader and trailer-leader identification sections (see 6.3 and 8.3) and
in frames 1 through 171 of the head-leader synchronizing section (see 6.4) shall be masked to the
nominal anamorphic projection aperture [20,95 mm (0,825 in) × 17,53 mm (0,690 in)] with clear
framelines nominally the height of anamorphic projection aperture framelines [1,55 mm (0,061 in)].
Frames 172 through 218 of the head-leader synchronizing section and frames 1 through 87 of the
ISO 4241:2019(E)
trailer-leader runout section shall be masked to the nominal anamorphic camera aperture [21,95 mm
(0,864 in) × 18,59 mm (0,732 in)] with clear framelines nominally the height of anamorphic camera-
aperture framelines [0,41 mm (0,016 in)].
5.4 Because many types of film may be used for leaders, exact neutral densities have not been specified.
For the purpose of this document, the following approximate neutral densities are referred to:
— clear (neutral density less than 0,35);
— black (neutral density greater than 1,95).
6 Head leader (see Figure 1)
6.1 Protective section
The protective section of the leader shall consist of a minimum of 2,44 m (8 linear feet) of transparent
or raw stock. When the protective leader has been reduced to a length of 1,83 m (6 linear feet), it shall
be restored to its original length. Logos, trademarks, part titles, or other extraneous materials, if
absolutely necessary, should be placed in this section.
NOTE 1 Repeats frames 44 through 58 of synchronizing section.
NOTE 2 Film shown as viewed from projection lens towards projector light source.
NOTE 3 Cross-hatched frames represent a black background with clear images; non-cross-hatched frames
represent a clear background with black images.
Figure 1 — Head leader
2 © ISO 2019 – All rights reserved
ISO 4241:2019(E)
6.2 Splicing frame
A single frame with the upright words “SPLICE HERE” and an arrow pointing to the frameline between
this frame and frame 1 of the identification section to indicate where the protective section joins the
identification section. The clear letters should be at least 3,2 mm (1/8 in) high on a black background.
6.3 Identification section
The identification section of the leader shall be 43 frames in length. The identification section of the
head leader, when viewed as specified in 5.2, shall be made up as follows:
— Frame 1 — Black.
— Frame 2 — The word “BEG” in clear letters 11,1 mm (7/16 in) high printed upright in the centre of
the frame, on a black background.
— Frame 3 — Black.
— Frame 4 — The word “of” in clear letters 2,4 mm (3/32 in) high printed lengthwise in the centre of
the frame, on a black background.
— Frame 5 — Black.
— Frame 6 — The words “Subject”, “Reel No.”, and “Language” in clear letters 2,4 mm (3/32 in) high
printed lengthwise, on a black background.
— Frame 7 — Black.
— Frame 8 — The words “Length”, “Titles”, and “Track” with clear letters 2,4 mm (3/32 in) high printed
lengthwise, on a black background.
— Frames 9-10 — Black.
— Frame 11 — The words “Lab”, “Company”, and “Prod No.” with clear letters 2,4 mm (3/32 in) high
printed lengthwise, on a black background.
— Frame 12 — The word “HEAD” in black letters nominally 9,5 mm (3/8 in) high printed upright in the
centre of the frame, on clear background.
— Frame 13 — A 1/8 in (3,2 mm) diameter black dot in the centre of the frame on a clear background.
— Frame 14 — The word “PICTURE” in black letters nominally 9,5 mm (3/8 in) high printed upright in
the centre of the frame, on a clear background.
— Frames 15-16 — Two frames in which the words “SMPTE Projection Leader” in clear letters are
printed upright on a black background. The letters shall not be less than 3,2 mm (1/8 in) high.
— Frame 17 — Four letter “X”s, printed in a lengthwise line adjacent to the 35 mm analogue photographic
audio record, approximately 7,9 mm (5/16 in) from the 35 mm camera aperture centreline towards
the 35 mm analogue photographic audio record. Letters shall be clear, 3,2 mm (1/8 in) high and
3,2 mm (1/8 in) wide, on a black background.
— Frames 18-19 — Same as frames 15-16.
— Frames 20-23 — Same as frames 3-6.
— Frame 24 — Black.
— Frames 25-26 — The words “Special Data” with clear letters 2,4 mm (3/32 in) high printed lengthwise
along the edge of the frame opposite the sound track area, on a black background, starting in the
26th frame.
— Frames 27-28 — Black.
----------------------
...
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