Frame guide for 16:9 scenes requiring a 4x3 protected area

[Rhoel]

All new TV animation is commissioned in 16:9 - this is because channels are broadcasting in digital, and distrubtors are releasing HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs. In additrion, both Europe and America are now broadcasting HDTV material, a format which only comes in a widescreen flavour.

THe problem is many countries still broadcast 4:3. How does afilm maker keep both camps happy, just how do you handle the scene layout for both wide and old screens.

The solution is to make the film in 16:9 but keep the principle action within the 4:3 action area. This enables a TV stations MCR to put the widescreen master tape through an ARC (Aspect Ratio Convertor) at the time of broadcast. The 16:9 goes to the digital feed, the 4:3 goes to the terrestrial analogue tramsmitter. No pan and scan required.

This requirement means you need to have a guide when compositing.

Try this one I've made for Moho.
Click here for the 16:9 4:3 Safe Area Guide - its a png file

How to Use:
Import the image file. In the properties window, tick the do not render button, and the immune form camera moves button options. The guide will then lock to camera.

The guide gives you instant feedback in your scene - you can easily compose the scene layout and actions with full knowledge that the final output will look good on 4:3 transmission.

Its a simple but highly effective way of dealing with the problem.

Enjoy.

Rhoel

[cribble]

Never thought about animating like that. I always stuck it on 16:9 and away i popped. Looks like i'll need to think and rethink a few projects. I also read the other post with this in, very useful stuff. Thank you very much for sharing stuff like this.