B-reel

The separate reels of a multiple-chain story are given letter designations: A-reel, B-reel, C-reel.

The story usually (but by no means always) opens with an A-reel shot of the reporter who by narration establishes the shot. Then picture and sound move to the second chain (B-reel) to show actuality, the actuality picture sometimes being bridged at some points by the sound of narration on the A-reel.

Begin matching the original with the work print by placing the first shot of the original on one reel (the “A” reel) and the second shot on another reel (the “B” reel). Continue alternating from the A reel to the B reel as you conform.

When the timing goes from a B reel to an A reel, the composer should be aware of how to write for this situation. The music in the outgoing reel should end at the end of the reel.

Now I remembered that Murph had convinced us not to show the first B reel during our viewing of the full takes, saying that we’d seen it before.

Lela was saddled with a cameraman, shooting “B-Reel” somewhere in the fairgrounds. Theoretically, that should slow her down and make her easier to catch.

I’m very weak. Everything takes effort. We spend the morning filming some B-reel and transferring footage, which leaves us both feeling wiped out, so we withdraw for a little midday tent time.