Cinematographer
Aus DoP-Perspektive ist dieses Element essentiell für die visuelle Gestaltung. Es ermöglicht mir die gewünschte Farbstimmung und das ästhetische Bild konsistent umzusetzen.
Black opaque material that completely blocks light to create hard shadow edges. Used to flag unwanted light sources and selectively darken image areas.
Overview
"Black Foil" (also called Blackwrap, Cinefoil, or Black Wrap) is a flexible, matte black coated aluminum foil on both sides, used in film, television, photography, and theater for light control. The matte black surface largely absorbs light rather than reflecting it. This allows light leakage (spill), stray light, and unwanted reflections to be suppressed directly at the fixture.
The term is now largely generic. Well-known brand names include Rosco "Cinefoil" or "Blackwrap" and GAM "BlackWrap"; the format sold by Rosco for narrower applications is called "Photofoil".
Technical Data
According to the manufacturer Rosco, the foil consists of a dimensionally stable aluminum core with a matte black epoxy coating on both sides. It is heat and weather resistant, lightweight, yet robust.
| Feature | Specification (Rosco Blackwrap/Photofoil) |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum core, matte black epoxy coating on both sides |
| Material Thickness | 0.002 inches (approx. 50 µm) |
| Properties | Dimensionally stable, heat and weather resistant |
| Blackwrap Sizes | e.g., 12" × 50', 24" × 25', 36" × 25', 48" × 25' |
| Photofoil Sizes | 12" × 10', 24" × 10' |
Use on Set
Black Foil is shaped by the lighting and grip department freehand, without the need for tools. Typical applications:
- Sealing light leakage at housing edges and barndoors
- Improvised barndoors, snoots, and small flags directly at the fixture
- Confining and shaping the beam of light (spot control)
- Covering reflective surfaces to avoid reflections in the image
Because the foil is heat-resistant, it can be used closer to hot Tungsten and HMI heads where conventional fabric flags (e.g., Duvetyn) would pose a fire hazard. It is attached with wooden clothespins, tape, clips, or gaffer tape; after the shoot, it can be removed and is usually considered an expendable.
From the crafts
Perspectives
Producer
Diese professionelle Lösung erhöht die Produktionseffizienz und reduziert Post-Production-Anforderungen. Sie ermöglicht flexible, schnelle Anpassungen während des Drehs.
Gaffer
Als Gaffer ist dies ein unverzichtbares Werkzeug meines täglichen Handwerkszeugs. Es ermöglicht mir professionelle Lichtkontrolle und schnelle Anpassungen auf Set, was Zeit spart und Qualität sichert.
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Related terms
Test your knowledge
Quiz
1. Zu welchem Department gehört „Schwarzfolie"?
2. Wie viele verschiedene Fachperspektiven bietet dieser Eintrag?