The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

22 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN Jan. -Feb., 1953 A.C.T. News Compiled by 'Middy' SINCE THE LAST publication of the Journal the Executive have been considering various items of interest, and the J.I.C. have completed present wage negotiations with the B.F.P.A. The outcome of these negotiations was not up to expectations, but at least our lower-paid members have received a further increase in salary of 11/ a week without the worsening of conditions proposed by the B.F.P.A. It is worthwhile to note (that whilst there have been accusations made, that due to increased wages, and alleged restrictive practices of Trade Unions, industry suffers) a report of the workers' side of the J.I.C. for the Film Production Industry states: Increase in Productivity The most recent period in the history of the film industry has been one of adjustment to the challenge of the post-war years. To remain as an industry economically justifying its existence, it has had, amongst the various measures adopted, to rearrange its techniques of production and use of manpower to this purpose. The result has been a startling increase in productivity. From the end of 1947 the number employed in the industry has been halved, dropping from 7,739 as the average for 1948, to 3,874 as the average for 1951; the number of British films registered annually has remained significantly constant, being 120, 132, 125 and 110 (estimated) for the four years concerned; and the total length of films registered annually has moved similarly. The appropriate figures in thousands of feel being 830.2, 882.6, 812.4 and 760.9 (estimated). Two social problems had developed from this: (i) The annual rate of registered footage per thousand workers employed has risen by nearly 84 per cent; that is, from 107,200 feet to 197,000 feet, and (ii) The rate of unemployment has increased from being virtually non-existent in 1947 to a figure comprising about 16.1 per cent of the employed personnel in 1951. The labour content of production costs must in consequence have fallen, but not in a way designed to ensure that there is no burden on the employees of the industry. The drive for greater production in outside industry has been based upon the assumption of protection of the workers' interests, and, in consequence, has progressed smoothly. But here, in the film industry, the process is continuing to the disadvantage of our members. An excellent picture can be obtained of the present striking reduction in the film production costs, by comparing the figures given in the Gater Report on Film Production Costs for 43 first feature films made during the period September 1947 to February 1949, with a number of typical examples of current production. The Gater Report figures show an average number of 98i shooting days per film. Economies in Film Production In support of the case already made under the heading " Increase in Productivity " attention is drawn to the recently published annual report of the National Film Finance Corporation for the year ended March 31, 1952, which shows there has, in the past year, been a reduction in production costs of approximately 11 per cent. The NFFC breaks down production costs under thirteen heads, nine of which show economies during the past year, and four show increases. The nine which show economies are: Story and script (11 per cent), producer and director (25 per cent), production unit salaries (17 per cent), craft labour (8 per cent), film and laboratory charges (9 per cent), type factor, that is location expenses, music and costumes (38 per cent), finance charges — interest, legal and completion guarantee (8 per cent), insurance premiums (20 per cent), sundry — transport, publicity, entertaining, etc. (29 per cent). The four which show an increase are: sets materials (1 per cent), acting (5 per cent), studio facilities (4 per cent), producing company's overheads (29 per cent). In other words, the workers in the film industry have made considerable contributions towards making production profitable whilst the employer and property owner have operated in the opposite direction. The figures show that technicians and other workers from the highest paid, such as the film director and scriptwriter, to the less wellremunerated grades included in the production units, have all received per picture substantially less remuneration than in the previous year. The employer on the other hand, has charged more for his sets, more for his studio facilities and substantially more for his overheads. Before the producers renew their charges against the Unions for making production uneconomic through enhanced wages, and onerous conditions of employment, they should review their own charges and overheads.