Narrow, colored adhesive tape used to mark actor and equipment positions on the set floor.
Technical Details
The tape is made of a cotton-polyester fabric with a matte surface to prevent light reflections. The thickness is 0.23 mm with a tensile strength of 165 N/25mm. Available standard colors include white, black, red, blue, yellow, green, and orange, with fluorescent variants existing for low-light situations. Professional-grade spike tape withstands temperatures from -40°C to +93°C and has a UV resistance of at least 90 days.
History & Development
Spike tape evolved in the 1960s from stage construction, where theater technicians began marking performer positions with adhesive tape. In 1972, the company Permacel introduced the first film-specific marking tape. The breakthrough came in 1975 with the introduction of Pro-Gaff Spike Tape by Shurtape Technologies, which first offered the color variants common today and the residue-free formula. Since the 1990s, specialized variants such as the fluorescent-free "Camera Tape" and the extra-matte "DP Tape" have become established.
Practical Application in Film
On "Blade Runner 2049" (2017), cinematographer Roger Deakins used fluorescent spike tape to mark camera paths in dark interior scenes. Typical workflow: The 1st AD marks performer positions with color-coded lines – often white for main actors, yellow for supporting roles. Focus pullers use the tape to mark focus points on the follow focus. The advantage lies in immediate visual orientation; disadvantages arise on bright floors where the tape can become visible in the shot.
Comparison & Alternatives
Unlike standard gaffer tape (50mm width), spike tape is significantly narrower and more discreet. Chalk as a traditional alternative only works on dark, rough surfaces. Modern LED floor markers replace tape in high-end productions with complex camera movements, but cost 450-800 Euros per unit. Digital reference systems like "MovieBird Tracking" work with invisible IR markers but remain limited to special camera systems.