Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for applying indicia to processed cinematic film, where film includes a cellulosic substrate layer and at least one emulsion layer. The apparatus comprises:a UV pulse laser for generating a laser beam capable of vaporizing the emulsion;a mechanism for directing the beam to the emulsion;a mask interposed between the laser and the film; the mask has UV-transparent portions in the shape of the indicia, which allow the beam to pass through the mask and impinge upon the film and vaporize the emulsion in the shape of the indicia;a modulator responsive to the indicia for controlling the intensity and duration of the beam;a film transport mechanism;an alignment mechanism for aligning the laser with the indicia and with a frame of the film; anda transport mechanism responsive to the indicia for transporting the film to bring a desired film frame in alignment with the laser mask.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for making superimposed photographs on the same frame of a roll of negative film, the photographs comprising a background and a foreground involving the following steps(a) first exposing a selected portion of a first frame of negative film with an image of one of the foreground and the background by shielding from exposure the remainder of the first frame with a first mask;(b) making a series of first exposures by repeating step (a) advancing the film by one frame for each exposure;(c) rewinding the film to the first frame;(d) preventing reexposure of the exposed portion of the first frame by shielding the portion with a second mask;(e) second-exposing the previously unexposed portion of the first frame with an image of the other of the foreground and the background;(f) making a series of second exposures by repeating the step (e) while advancing the film for each exposure.

Abstract: A system and a method for applying a sound track to cinematic film by means of a modulated laser beam.