interpositive

An interpositive is a photographic intermediate material used in the motion picture industry. It is a positive image printed from an original negative or an intermediate negative. This interpositive serves as a master print from which other duplicate positives or internegatives can be made. The purpose of creating an interpositive is to protect the original negative from wear and tear during the printing process. By making multiple copies from the interpositive, the original negative can be preserved for archival purposes.

The interpositive itself is typically made on a film stock that is sensitive to light and capable of producing a detailed and color-accurate representation of the original image. The printing process involves exposing the interpositive film to light through the original negative, followed by chemical development. This process reverses the tones, creating a positive image. From this interpositive, further printing can be done to create release prints for exhibition, or to create an internegative, which is a negative image made from the positive interpositive. This internegative is then used to print the final positive release prints. The use of interpositives allows for a more controlled and robust workflow in film post-production and distribution.