The Cine Technician (1935-1937)

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The Journal of the Association of Cine-Technicians Editorial and Publishing Office : 30 PICCADILLY MANSIONS, 17 SHAFTESBURY AVENUE, LONDON, W.I. Telephone : GERRARD 2366. Advertisement Office ; 5 and 6 RED LION SQUARE, LONDON, W.Cl. Telephone: HOLBORN 4972. Volume One: Number Four. FEBRUARY, 1936. Price Ninepence. The Quota Act A Study and Criticism of the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927 By GEORGE H. ELVIN Secretary, The oAssociation of Cine-Technicians We all know that the Cinematograph Films Act, 1927 — more familiarly known as the Quota Act — is the father of "quickies," but few of us trouble to investigate further. It is generally agreed that the Act has been mainly responsible for the successful development of the British Film Industry and ipso facto for the provision of emplovment for British persons in the film industry. The Act expires on September 30th, 1938. What then ? "Shall we advocate its renewal or agitate for its demise ? Film workers generally, I am confident, trust for its renewal, but, if so, there must be manv clauses revised and additional ones added if it is to be generally commendable to them. What are its main provisions, its strength and weaknesses ? Quota Stipulations First in importance comes the principal stipulation that a certain percentage footage of film rented or e.xhibited must be British. The percentage has increased on a sliding scale from 5% for exhibitors' quota and 7|°f, for renters' quota in 1929 to 20"„ for both classes in 1936, at whicli level they will remain until 1938. We do not quarrel with these provisions, although certain sections of the industry may press for revisions of the actual percentages. Definition of British Film The definition of a British Film is satisfactory. Clause (4) is the one that particularly affects British technicians and prevents the wholesale importation of foreign labour. The large proportion of manual and semi-manual labour GEORGE H. ELVIN required on a production must have saved many a company falling foul of this clause and it is even rumoured that a "star's" salary has on occasion been suddenly increased in order to keep on the right side of the Act. The substitution of "technical labour" for "labour" in hue 2 of clause (4) would probably commend itself to British technicians. A British film is defined as one complying with the following requirements : — (1) It must have been made by a person who was at the time the film was made a British subject, or by two or more persons each of whom was a British subject, or by a British company ; (2) After the thirty-first day of December, nineteen hundred and twentyeight, the studio scenes must have been photographed in a studio in the British Empire ; (3) The author of the scenario must have been a British subject at the time the film was made ; (4) Not less than seventyfive per cent, of the salaries, wages and payments specifically paid for labour and services in the making of the film (exclusive of payments in respect of copyright and of the salary or payments to one foreign actor or actress or producer, but inclusive of the payments to the author of the scenario) has been paid to British subjects or persons domiciled in the British Empire .... (here follows mention of exceptional circumstances which may reduce the percentage to 70%).