ISO 4241:2019

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)
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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
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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.
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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 ba
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