Open matte is a filming technique that involves matting out the top and bottom of the film frame in the movie projector for the widescreen theatrical release and then scanning the film without a matte for a full screen home video release. It is roughly equivalent to an uncropped version of the film.
A frame from a 35 mm film print. Here, the picture is framed for the intended theatrical aspect ratio (inside the yellow box). The picture outside of the yellow box is matted out when the film is shown in widescreen. For 4:3 television and home media versions, a large portion of the picture can be used (inside the red box) with an open matte.
Open matte example with a slight shift of the image section upwards.
Aspect ratio 2.35:1 versus 1.85:1
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory is a 1971 American musical fantasy film directed by Mel Stuart from a screenplay by Roald Dahl, based on his 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It stars Gene Wilder as chocolatier Willy Wonka. The film tells the story of a poor child named Charlie Bucket who, upon finding a Golden Ticket in a chocolate bar, wins the chance to visit Willy Wonka's chocolate factory along with four other children from around the world.
The main cast during filming in 1970. Back row (left to right): Michael Böllner (Augustus Gloop), Ursula Reit (Mrs. Gloop), Gene Wilder (Willy Wonka) Second row (left to right): Leonard Stone (Mr. Beauregarde), Roy Kinnear (Mr. Salt), Nora Denney (Mrs. Teevee), Jack Albertson (Grandpa Joe) Front row (left to right): Denise Nickerson (Violet Beauregarde), Julie Dawn Cole (Veruca Salt), Paris Themmen (Mike Teevee), Peter Ostrum (Charlie Bucket)
Munich Gasworks as it appeared in 2011 (building on the left)
Munich Gasworks as it appeared in 2011 (building on the right)