Quality Control (QC) Vocabulary

QC Vocabulary defines terms that are used in QC with the goals of 1) Ensuring that terms are used consistently, and 2) ensuring that terms are encoded consistently. The page for this topic is here.

This page shows terms for the "FILM" category. This includes issues related to problems associated with physical film and transfer from film to digital.

This category was introduced in Version 1.1.


Version 1.1, December 17, 2019

Term Description Definition V
CELL-DIRTCell Dirt visibleDirt and dust that have settled on the cells and change as the cels are photographed in sequence, resulting in stop motion animation of dirt and dust. Unique to cell animation. Example: Mickey Mouse Shorts, Fantasia.1.1
CHEMICAL-STAINChemical Stain visibleA type of film dirt that is caused by a chemical spill, developer stains, or improper washing in film processing tank. Appears like a transparent colored spots on image. Similar to looking at a cell through a microscope.1.1
DIRTDirt visibleFor B&W and Color negative: Dirt on the film appears as white or black spots. For films using successive exposure and YCM 3-strip Technicolor, dirt could also appear as spots of Red, green and/or blue.1.1
DUST-REMOVAL-ERRORDust Removal artifcat or errorWhen an artifact or error was created through the process of cleaning and repairing dirt, dust or scratches on the film.1.1
EMULSION-STAINEmulsion Stain visisbleStain from the emulsion used on film in the telecine process. A stain on the emulsion side of the film. Looks like a white blotch on image.1.1
FILM-BUMPFilm BumpAn abrupt shift in position or brightness due to the instability of the film element.1.1
FILM-JITTERFilm JitterThe image is not stable, but has a shaky, jittery quality due to misaligned frames of film.1.1
HAIRHair visibleFilm Hair; Strands of hair or dust particle which have been optically printed into the film element. Usually seen at the top or bottom of the screen. An actual hair that was caught in the film camera. This could last throughout or a piece of dirt that looks like a hair.1.1
LIGHT-LEAKLight Leak visibleWhen light leaks through the side of the camera lens causing a section or the whole image appear to be washed out or a fluctuating rhythmic discoloration and exposure issue on the side of the frame.1.1
MISTIMEMistime flash visibleA brief one frame horizontal flash that can be seen at the top or bottom of the first or last frame of a shot.1.1
NOISE-GRAINNoise/Grain excessiveThe amount of grain inherent in the film source is excessive. Small particles cover image that reduces picture definition.1.1
OTHERAny other film issueAny other film issue not specified in another term1.1
REEL-MARKERReel Marker visibleCircular marker on the upper right hand corner of the film that delineates the end of a reel. Also called a cigarette burn. Appears at 8 seconds and 1 second before the end of a reel, marked on 4 consecutive frames1.1
SCRATCHESScratches visibleA thin line, horizontal or vertical, in the picture. Can last for one frame or an entire reel of film. Scratches may appear black, white or colored, depending on which side of the film is scratched and how deep the scratches is. Possible causes are bad rollers on the Rank Cintel or film cleaner, mis threading of the film or debris embedded in the capstan.1.1
SPLICE-ISSUEBad Splice/Visible SpliceA cut in the film that is distorted, has visual break-up, or the images around the cut are misaligned, cropped or mixed with each other.1.1
SPOTSpot(s) visibleSpots that look like transparent water spots on the film, are usually source related issues1.1
TEARTear artifact visibleAn area of the film that has a "tear-like" appearance, often white, from a physical defect on the film.1.1
TELECINE-ERRORTelecine ErrorGeneric catch-all for an error in the telecine process transferring film to video.1.1
WARPWarp visisbleAt the cut point of spliced film, the shot warbles or appears visibly warped and/or distorted for a split second. This is usually found on older film stock and is caused by a poorly made cement splice in the negative joining two shots together.1.1
WATER-DAMAGEWater Damage visisbleThe film image has splotchy areas from water damage.1.1