American cinematographer (Nov 1921-Jan 1922)

14 THE AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER January 1, 1922 with the apertures lying in a horizontal plane. Pictures made with such contrivances show decided parallax errors at the planes in front of, or behind the plane focused for. The resultant projected image is consequently degraded, and, of course, lacks stereoscopic relief. Other experimenters have endeavored to produce stereoscopic effect by various modifications of the screen. For instance, Dr. Pech of France claims remarkable results produced by the use of a special form of concave screen, which he asserts is based on a consideration of distortion produced at the surface away from the axis of the retina when an object is looked at steadily. This is, of course, inconsistent. Another proposes a huge convex lens placed in front of a translucent screen, through which the observer views the picture; the image being projected from the rear. This results in good monocular relief, but what about the cost of such a lens? Others suggest multiple surfaced screens; screen combinations of real and reflected or virtual images; fixed screens combined with rapidly rotating members, etc. It is apparent that all such subterfuges introduce no end of parallax errors, if the picture is viewed at an angle. A possible solution — Motional Perspective. Having discussed various aspects of binocular and stereoscopic phenomena we will now consider the method whereby stereoscopic effect can be simulated to a surprising degree by monocular representation. A man having lost the use of one eye is very much handicapped in the matter of correctly estimating distance. In order to approach any approximation of true position of objects in the field of view, a one-eyed man must necessarily move his head in a horizontal direction. The point looked at will appear stationery while objects in the background will appear to rotate to the left if the head is moved to the left, and objects in the foreground will appear to rotate to the right. It will be seen that this section sets up parallax, and permits the one-eyed man to form an approximate estimate of distance. Persistence of vision and memory enter largely into this phenomena, but the impression thus gained is not stereoscopic in the broad sense of the term. Bearing in mind the above principle, we will consider the screen effect produced by the projection of a picture that has been taken from a boat passing down a narrow river or from a railway train. The lens of the camera in these instances we will say, was pointing in an angular direction to the direction of movement while the scenes were being made. As in the case of the one-eyed man a similar angular movement created parallax in a progressive manner. There is a striking similarity in the two instances — the retina of the one-eyed man received the progressive parallactic image in exactly the same manner as the film recorded it. There is, however a marked difference in the degree of relief as experienced by the one-eyed man, and that experienced by an observer with two perfect eyes, viewing the screen result obtained by the above method. In the former case the monocular relief is augmented, but in the latter, the impression is absolutely stereoscopic. This phenomena will stand the strictest investigation. Parallax, Persistence of vision, and Memory are directly responsible for this remarkable result — two-eyed, or binocular inspection accounts for this. The above phenomena could not have failed to impress itself forcibly upon the most casual observer since motion pictures became popular; but it* remained somewhat intangible until Theodore Brown of Salisbury, England, developed a number of inventions that demonstrated the possibility of success that in the near future may be attained by ardent investigators working along these lines. Patents based on motional perspective have been granted to Sciamengo of Italy, Ivanhoff of Russia, Cervenka of France, Duhem of California and a few others. Many of the above are not entirely satisfactory. Lack of space prohibits description of these inventions but copies of them may be obtained from the Patent Office. My application for patent on a device based on motional perspective is now undergoing scrutiny in the TJ. S. Patent Office. I have devoted considerable time to a thorough study of the subject and hope to be in a position in the near future to contribute some valuable data to this most fascinating branch of the photographic art — Stereo-cinematography. W. OSBORNE RUNCIE. The Ultrastigmat F;1.9 A perfect lens for high speed photography. Prices 40 m/m focal length $ 75.00 50 m/m focal length 75.00 75 m/m focal length 100.00 In barrel with iris diaphragm Gundlach Manhattan Optical Co. Rochester, N. Y. Happy New Year "THE PESSIMIST KICKS BECAUSE OF THE THORNS ON ROSES, WHILE THE OPTIMIST REJOICES BECAUSE OF THE ROSES ON THORNS." As the New Year is tolled in we renew our pledge of Optimists. We have profound and proper faith, in the Motion Picture Industry. We have the courage and vision to predict bigger and better things from and for our industry during 1922. By constant vigilance and diligence we will protect our clients and extend our ability to serve. The Rothacker Film Manufacturing Company of Chicago and Rothacker-Aller Laboratories of California are dedicated to the art of making the screen beautiful and will always continue to operate conscientiously, efficiently and loyally. Happy New Year! Accomplishment of impossible camera positions Is a simple matter with a THALHAMM ER MODEL A TRIPOD K. W. Thalhammer, 550 South Figueroa Street — Main 1574 Los Angeles New Idea In Visual Education The World Classics Film Corporation has been organized under the laws of the State of California with a capital stock of §50,000 to produce educational pictures and to establish a normal school for the instruction of teachers in visual education. The officers are Clyde Sheldon Shepard, Director of Dramatics and Instructor in Play Writing at Pomona College, president; John W. Leezer, A. S. C, vice-president and general manager; Leigh R. Smith, director, secretary and treasurer. World Classic Film Corporation will produce at Pomona in order that President Shepard may be near his college work and where a beautiful ten-acre tract has been presented to the corporation for a studio. World Classics will produce all manner of educational subjects and the organizers plan to enlist the services and advice of the foremost educators of the United States. They start with the endorsements of the best interests in California and the personnel of the organizers is a guarantee of success. Their film normal school idea is the newest since visual education was introduced into the schools and its development promises to make Pomona a national center of cinema activity. Stephen S. Norton looks upon the approach of 1922 with the calm confidence thai it will b'e better than 1921 and Steve says (hat wasn't so bad. His slogan is that everything comes if you'll only be patient. It's a good one, Steve.