The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

May-June, 1953 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN 57 AJC.T. Technical Committee^s REPORT ON :t-l> TOURING the past months interest has once again *-* reverted to the subject of stereoscopy and in America a mild panic has taken place, due to the introduction of television in millions of homes and the falling off of cinema attendances. It was felt that novelty might resurrect and attract an audience back to the cinema. New processes and ideas are continually causing minor sensations, but in order to make any process a success it is necessary that it can be installed simply and efficiently and reasonably cheaply in many hundreds of cinemas throughout this and other countries. Which process will succeed and in what way will it affect production and exhibition? No one at the moment can foresee. But let us examine some of the known methods which are being used at this moment. THE BRITISH TRI OPTICIAN SYSTEM produced by Stereo Techniques which have for the past year been seen at the South Bank Telecinema, a process developed by the Spotiswood brothers. This method requires the projection of two images and has to be viewed through polaroid glasses. Production Requirements : Special Camera and Studio Technicians. An understanding of the process by certain technicians as it calls for a new approach by Script-writers, Directors, Art Directors and Lighting Cameramen. Exhibition Requirements : A special screen having a metalised surface, two projectors to run synchronously. Polaroid filters, which are normally fitted over the ports and may necessitate cooling, and glasses for the audience to view the picture. The production and exhibition of such a process are not extreme but are handicapped by the use of glasses by an audience who will have to concentrate in order to appreciate in full three-dimensional vision. People suffering from the loss of one eye or who may have defective vision in one eye will not see three dimensional pictures but the normal flat image. Other processes which are similar to the above and require the use of spectacles, are: Natural vision, Metroscopix, Paravision, Sterioline inc., Boled 16mm. system. CINERAMA: Developed by Fred Waller. This process is an American development of large-screen projection which gives an effect of peripheral vision and not stereoscopic in the true sense. It requires three separate images linked together on a cycloramic screen. No glasses are required by the audience. It is necessary when using this large-screen viewing to also have stereophonic sound which may use from five to seven different tracks. Production Requirements : Three synchronous cameras mounted to cover a panoramic view of each set. As a much greater field of vision is covered by the cameras, sets will tend to spread themselves considerably, and the odd insert which at one time consisted of a single flat or B.P. plate will now only cover approximately one-third of width now required. This, of course, will necessitate a special planning and understanding by technicians working on this process. The composition of the final picture, now three and a quarter times the width when viewed, will require new techniques in set design, new problems on the floor both in lighting and positioning of equipment and sound recording. Stereophonic sound will complicate the sound engineer's job and also dubbing and post-synchronisation will become a major headache. Exhibition : This process requires a large cycloramic screen and three projectors which have to be perfectly aligned and running in synchronisation. As it would be too costly to have, for quick changeover, another three projectors, it is necessary to modify existing projectors to run continuously for the complete picture, or it will necessitate intervals between reels for changeover. Stereophonic sound which is recorded on tape would require a complete review of the speakers in the theatre and special equipment with five to seven recording heads, plus a system to keep magnetic play-back in synchronisation with projectors and special amplification channels. This process could only be used in a very limited number of cinemas and would be very costly to instal. CINEMASCOPE: Developed by Henri Chretien. This process of French origin requires a large concave-curved screen and a single projector with a special wide-angle lens giving a picture width of approximately two and a half times the height. Stereophonic sound is again necessary, but three channels should be sufficient. A special spherical lens is used on the camera which covers a wide angle of vision but contracts the image in width, not height, on to normal 35mm. stock. When a similar lens is used on the projector the height is retained but the width is increased, and the result is a landscape image on the screen of much greater width than the normal presentation. No glasses are required. Production Requirements : Special lenses to be fitted to existing cameras and other modifications to viewfinders. A new approach by technicians in set design and floor technique, editing and sound recording, dubbing and post-synchronising. Exhibition : New screen required, normal projection but change of projection lens necessary. With the introduction of stereophonic sound the installation of extra speakers and modification to amplifier equipment.