This is a filmstrip of a normal 35mm negative, nothing special to it

This is the size of the maximum camera aperture, called FULL APERTURE or FULL GATE, and - since it was the common format used in the beginning of cinema - SILENT.

This format uses the whole negative area available: 4 perforations in height and a width to fit exactly between the two rows of perforation holes. The aspect ratio of this format is 1:1.33 This is the size of the maximum camera aperture, called FULL APERTURE or FULL GATE, and - since it was the common format used in the beginning of cinema - SILENT.

Most film productions use a smaller portion of the negative though.

Popular formats include: 1:1.85 the American widescreen format

Most film productions use a smaller portion of the negative though. Popular formats include: 1:1.85 the American widescreen format and 1:1.78 For HDTV (16:9)

And here is what happens when rolling camera:

And here is what happens when rolling camera:

And here is what happens when rolling camera:

And here is what happens when rolling camera:

And here is what happens when rolling camera:

And here is what happens when rolling camera:

And here is what happens when rolling camera:

And here is what happens when rolling camera:

And here is what happens when rolling camera:

And here is what happens when rolling camera: The movement advances the film 4 perforations for each new frame.

A closer look at the exposed negative:

Since many formats don´t use the full height of the negative, there remains a gap between the frames: unused, good for nothing - and 1 perforation in height! A closer look at the exposed negative:

Since many formats don´t use the full height of the negative, there remains a gap between the frames: unused, good for nothing - and 1 perforation in height! This is a precious rawstock, adding to the overall lenght of the negative, which needs to be purchased, developed and printed. A closer look at the exposed negative:

Since many formats don´t use the full height of the negative, there remains a gap between the frames: unused, good for nothing - and 1 perforation in height! This is a precious rawstock, adding to the overall lenght of the negative, which needs to be purchased, developed and printed. A closer look at the exposed negative: As a remainder: Developing and printing are normally billed by lenght.

So wouldn´t it make sense to stop wasting negative space, and get rid of the useless gap between the frames?

So wouldn´t it make sense to stop wasting negative space, and get rid of the useless gap between the frames?

So wouldn´t it make sense to stop wasting negative space, and get rid of the useless gap between the frames?

So wouldn´t it make sense to stop wasting negative space, and get rid of the useless gap between the frames?

That´s exactly what 3 perforation does:

For each new frame the 3 perforation movement advances the film only 3 perforations. This way the unused space between frames is eliminated.