How to Label a Film Magazine

Each canister containing a film magazine should be labeled properly.

For the budding filmmaker, shooting on a large reel of 35 mm movie film can be an exciting and engaging process. The reels, sometimes referred to as magazines, hold a roll of film hundreds of feet long which is loaded into the camera. Once in the camera, each frame is exposed at a fraction of a second. When played back, the rapid sequence of frames reveals the finished product: a complete movie. To keep these films organized and to make editing easier, they must be labeled with the appropriate details.

Things You'll Need

• Sticker label
• Permanent marker

Instructions

1. Place a white, 4-inch by 3-inch sticker label on the outside of the canister. The canister holds the film magazine securely and protects it from dirt, dust and other debris.

2. Write the date of production in the upper-left corner of the label. If you are making the film as part of a school project or for a company, write the institution's name in the top center of the label. Write the roll number in the right corner of the label. For example, if this is the fourth roll you've shot, write "#4."

3. Note the serial number printed on the film magazine. On most magazines, the number will be near the edge of the reels. Print the serial underneath the roll number.

4. Print the name of your production in the middle of the label. Beneath this, write the footage of the film wound onto the magazine. For example, if you have a 400-foot roll wound, write "400 ft."

5. Write the film type and emulsion number on the bottom of the label. This information can be found printed on the outside of your film's packaging.

6. Finish labeling the magazine by writing your initials in the lower-right corner of the label. This will make the editor's job simpler if he has any questions about the film type or the contents of the film.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep film away from open sources of heat such as heating vents, ovens, fireplaces and water heaters. Film is extremely sensitive to heat and can perish easily.

References

• The Living Image: 35mm Film
• NCSA School of Filmmaking: Camera/Magazine & Exposed Can Label Instructions