"Two count"..?
- Thread starter JoeFowler
- Start date
cyclone
Well-known member
The 2-pop is a hold over from the analog days.
In theatres, it was used as a cue for the projectionist to open the light baffle on the 2nd projector. The cue on the first projector was the dot in the upper left hand corner of the print (usually just made by sticking a pin through the print), telling the projectionist that the first reel was 2 seconds away from being over. (There was also a little bell system that rang when the reel was almost over (in case the projectionist fell asleep).
In TV, the leader and pop were also used to cue up programs and commercials so the changeovers were fluid.
Now, with everything being handled by computers and digitally, none of that matters anymore.; everything is exactly cued to the first frame. Heck, I remember making national commercials and never allowing ANY important information (audio, text, etc.) being placed closer than 15x to the head of the spot, in case the change over at the station was late - the client would get pissed off if something important like a price or phone number was cut off.
However, having said all that, a "pop" of some kind is still a good idea in the post process as elements are laid back to picture (composites, mixed tracks, etc.) to insure original sync.
In theatres, it was used as a cue for the projectionist to open the light baffle on the 2nd projector. The cue on the first projector was the dot in the upper left hand corner of the print (usually just made by sticking a pin through the print), telling the projectionist that the first reel was 2 seconds away from being over. (There was also a little bell system that rang when the reel was almost over (in case the projectionist fell asleep).
In TV, the leader and pop were also used to cue up programs and commercials so the changeovers were fluid.
Now, with everything being handled by computers and digitally, none of that matters anymore.; everything is exactly cued to the first frame. Heck, I remember making national commercials and never allowing ANY important information (audio, text, etc.) being placed closer than 15x to the head of the spot, in case the change over at the station was late - the client would get pissed off if something important like a price or phone number was cut off.
However, having said all that, a "pop" of some kind is still a good idea in the post process as elements are laid back to picture (composites, mixed tracks, etc.) to insure original sync.
Last edited:
little bobby
Well-known member
Well when I am ask someone to give me a 10-count, it means 10 seconds....similar when I'm editing....10 count = 10 seconds.
I would assume that a 2 count is 2 seconds. Go for it.
Don't forget, you can always ask the guy who asked for a 2-count exactly what a 2-count is to him.