Frame line

A frame line is the unused space that separates two adjacent images, or film frames, on the release print of a motion picture. They can vary in width; a 35mm film with a 1.85:1 hard matte has a frame line approximately 8 mm (0.3 in) high, whereas both a full frame negative and the anamorphic format have very narrow frame lines, with the frames very close together. When a film is properly projected, the frame lines should not be visible to the audience and are typically cropped out in projection with an aperture mask.

Frame lines shown in red on a "full-frame" negative, and on a "hard-matted" 1.85:1 projection print, both on 35 mm film.

See also

• Letterbox