All this discussion reminds me of a strange phenomenon in film screening (and viewing) here in Turkey. Due to some kind of incompatibility of projection formats, the safe area works in the reverse way and on many occasions the frame of the screen allows the audience to see the boom microphone hanging down from the top. The audience relates this to the failure of the camera person, but of course they cannot figure out why such a techically impeccable cinema gives way to this unintended self-reflexivity! I think the impression of reality that Hollywood films strive to produce or the the experience of viewing them should also be examined in this context of diversity of aspect ratios, techniques of screening and all that. Nezih Erdogan ---- Screen-L is sponsored by the Telecommunication & Film Dept., the University of Alabama: http://www.tcf.ua.edu