The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

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May-June, 1953 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN 75 (b) notifying foreign producers' associations of A.C.T.'s interim measure barring laboratory processing of films dubbed outside Great Britain." " Various Continental countries," he explained, " lay it down that foreign films shall be imported only if dubbing is done in the country in which the film is to be screened ... If that works for various Continental countries, then it should work also for this country . . ." After G. Bremsom, also of De Lane Lea had seconded the resolution, Harold Hanscombe expressed support for it, and ALF Cooper assured the mover that the lab members would give full support in any action required. George Elvin, for the General Council, reported that the Board of Trade had promised to consider action in the form of amendment to the Cinematograph Films Act. The resolution was carried unanimously. Max Anderson, Basic Films, moved a resolution deploring " the increasing exploitation in films of themes of brutality and violence for purposes of sensationalism," which was seconded by Harold Hanscombe. On behalf of the General Council, Stan Warbey, Pathe (Elstree) Labs spoke in support of the resolution, pointing out that though the job of the union was to protect members' wages and conditions, " we cannot ignore the manner in which our product is used or abused . . . The General Council deplores the increase in the type of film depicting violence as its main attraction . . . one such film may not provoke us to violence, but the cumulative effects of a series of such films does tend to influence our general outlook on life . . ." Ted Marshall, Unemployed, supported by Anthony WYNN, Beauchamp Productions, opposed, arguing that the box-office must decide the kind of films made. This viewpoint was reproved by Ivor Montagu. For the Continuity and Producers' Secretaries' Section, Teresa Boland moved, and Muriel Herd seconded a resolution : " This Annual General Meeting instructs the incoming General Council to approach the C.E.A. and work out a system for the issue of free weekly passes to A.C.T. members, to be available between Mondays and Fridays at the members' own cinemas." Only one vote was cast against this, that of L. C. RUDKIN of Ealing, but as he did not speak, his objections must remain unknown and unreported. " Utmost pressure on the A.S.F.P. for the formulation of a new Shorts and Documentary Agreement " was the demand by a resolution moved for the Camera Section by Frank Ellis of Gate Studios, with Eddie Smales, Unemployed, seconding. Jim McAllister, British Transport, George Elvin, Stan Warbey, Colin Bell, Max Anderson, Ralph Bond and Teresa Boland all took part in the discussion and the resolution was carried unanimously. After Eddie Smales had moved, and Frank Ellis had seconded a resolution urging that " location allowances in the Shorts and Documentary Agreement should be on the same basis as those laid down in the current agreement with B.F.P.A." was carried, Lionel Hoare of Pathe, with Pat Wyand of Movietone as seconder, moved : " This Annual General Meeting proposes that the minimum crew ( sound) for a tape recorder used on work covered by the current Newsreel Agreement, shall be the same as for photographic recording under the same Agreement, that is, one recordist." This was opposed by Chris Brunel, who felt that facilities existed in A.C.T. to meet special difficulties. After the General Council had indicated its opposition, and the meeting had heard speeches from Dave Samuelson of Movietone, Ken Gordon, Pathe, Geoff Hughes, Shell Film Unit, and Teresa Boland, Pinewood, the resolution was withdrawn. A Sound Section resolution instructing the General Council to " resist any attacks on our standards no matter from what source," moved by Sid Wiles and seconded by Sash Fisher and supported by Ken Gordon for the General Council, was carried unanimously. An amendment, moved by Ronnie Spillane, calling for an investigation into " all malpractices in Shorts, Documentary and Newsreel Companies " was opposed by the General Council and defeated. Two resolutions, one from Shell Film unit, moved by Geoff Hughes and seconded by Peter de Norman VILLE; and one from the Editorial Section, moved by Helga Cranston and second by Margaret Fleischer, on the work of the Employment Bureau, expressing dissatisfaction and presenting proposals for improvement, were carried. In private session, the meeting debated several proposed amendments to rules. Those carried included a proposal to give the General Council power to insist, in special circumstances, on new members being required to remain in a category of employment and not transfer to another; a rule that: " Members who have individual contracts of employmen shall seek to have inserted in such contracts a clause in a form to be approved by the General Council, to make clear that any action the member is called upon to take in conformity with the Rules and/or policy of the Association, cannot be held to be a breach of their individual contract "; alterations enabling the association to raise annual subscriptions and entrance fees in line with increases of subscriptions agreed to at the previous annual meeting; and a rule providing for unemployed members to pay " a nominal subscription of a penny a week whilst totally unemployed." A resolution from Technicolor, moved by Alf Cooper and seconded by Rae Sharp, providing for a rise in subscriptions to provide a strike fund, was withdrawn in favour of a Pathe Labs proposal for a Contingency Fund, Members to pay 3d. weekly. A proposal from Technicolor that lab representation on the General Council should be increased from six to eight was urged in strongly-argued speeches from Alf Cooper and Mike Round. The meeting, however, rejected this proposal by 80 votes to 76. The rejection was due in part to a desire shown by all sides to avoid conflict between sections over competing claims for representation and in this spirit a resolution from Pinewood Studios, moved by Teresa Boland, was withdrawn. An alteration to rule providing for section representation on the General Council, moved by Herbert Mason, and seconded by Muriel Herd, was opposed by Max Anderson and Frank Fuller. Speeches in support came from Colin Bell, Teresa Boland and Ivor Montagu. This change of rule was carried. Officers elected for the coming year : President : Anthony Asquith. Vice-Presidents : Frank Fuller, Charles Wheeler, Ken Gordon, Max Anderson and Sid Cole. Treasurer : Franklin Gollings. Trustees : Basil Wright, G. Bell. General Council : Colin Bell, Teresa Boland, Daniel Birt, Ralph Bond, Christopher Brunei, Ivor Montagu, Bert Easey, Ian Struthers, Roy Goddard. Lab members on the General Council : G. Irons, S. Warbey, L. Pryor, A. Cooper, T. Winbourne, L. Runkel.