Abstract: A motion picture camera is described which minimizes waste of film during the start up of the camera, when the supply and takeup reels are rapidly accelerated until film is moving at the proper speed, at which time the camera begins to take pictures. A reel motor is energized to apply a high torque that rapidly accelerates the takeup reel at an acceleration limited by the amount of film on the takeup reel, while the camera motor which moves film through the film gate region is controlled to move film towards the takeup reel at a speed that maintains a moderate level of film tension between the film gate region and the takeup reel.