The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

October, 1953 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN 139 The General Council Decides \ MONG main decisions taken at September General Council Meeting: B.F.P.A. QUOTA: The Feature Directors and Producers' Section endorsed the Executive's views that there was no reason to vary the present agreement with the B.F.P.A., but any special case submitted by them would receive consideration. Whilst on this question, two Companies, both of which have the same Board of Directors, had planned to make two Alms. One Company is a member of the B.F.P.A. the other is not. Both Companies sought A.C.T.'s permission to employ the same Director on both films. This was considered most unsatisfactory. Naturally, no objection would be raised to the film which is part of B.F.P.A. Quota. Strong disapproval is registered through the same interests forming ,a Company which is not affiliated to the B.F.P.A., and through it attempts would be made to get the benefits of both non-membership and membership of B.F.P.A. It was agreed to explain our attitude to the Ministry of Labour and will strongly oppose the permit for the Company formed which is not affiliated to B.F.P.A. DUBBING OF FOKEIGN FILMS INTO ENGLISH. It will be remembered that in September 1952 A.C.T. placed a ban on the dubbing of foreign films into English in their country. The Executive set up a sub-committee to consider these matters. The Committee presented an interim report in which they recommended the ban be lifted on certain films upon which it had been imposed. The main reason for lifting the ban, which had been in operation for about two months, was due to the fact that this had proved very effective and had impressed A.C.T.'s policy on the Companies concerned. Further, that the lifting of the ban would only be carried out on the understanding that Companies would not seek to process similar films in future without having first had discussions with A.C.T. ANGLO-AMERICAN FILMS AGREEMENT: In the previous issue of the Journal a report was given of A.C.T.'s deputation to the Parliamentary Secretary, President to the Board of Trade. This deputation discussed ways and means of bringing pressure on the Government to revise the Anglo-American Films Agreement. It was agreed to ask our Legislation Committee to consider the results of our campaign and make recommendations as to the best way of improving on it. Arising from a meeting at the F.I.E.C., which had discusssed this matter, that body agreed to make immediate representations to the Board of Trade drawing attention to the Council's policy and offering to meet the Negotiators who were going to the United States. Our Executive also agreed to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer in connection with the current negotiations that are proceeding with G.A.T.T. and impressing upon the Chancellor the policy of the Union as far as firms are concerned. SOUND AND FOREIGN LOCATIONS: A Company employed a Sound Crew of three Technicians to operate an RCA Channel PM64 (magnetic) in Italy for their production. They had given an undertaking to A.C.T. if the Crew proved to be inadequate to employ an additional member of the Sound Department. When called upon to carry out this undertaking they refused and let' erred the matter to conciliation, by which time the unit was back in this country. A report has been received by the Executive which makes it quite clear that a Crew of at least four Sound Technicians was required. Arising from this example, and others that have arisen in the past, a very full meeting by the Sound Section has been held and the following resolution has been approved by the General Council: " Members of the Sound Section will not post sync or re-record dialogue scenes unless a full Crew of four was employed on the original shooting of such scenes." As this resolution has been accepted by the General Council it now becomes the policy of the Union. The question of Sound Crews is constantly causing problems. For example, a Company proceeding on location only wish to take three on Sound to France claiming that as the location was in France there would be a double-up on Crews. A.C.T. were not satisfied with this point and went to conciliation, where it was established that a Sound Crew of four had to be employed. GATE STUDIOS: A report was received that these Studios were closing down, but that the Sound Theatre still be kept in operation. It was decided to ask for a full report on this statement and to see whether or not A.C.T. Films might consider using the Studios. MAYFLOWER PRODUCTIONS — FRENCH LOCATION: This Company expected to go on location to France in October to obtain B.P. plates and establish shots with three doubles for the production Twist of Fate. They expect to be away about three weeks. The Company have certain relaxations in the A.C.T. Crew. Having examined the case, it was decided to inform the Company that, as the Unit is a main one, full Crews should be employed. LABORATORY AGREEMENT: A new draft of the revised Agreement has been approved by the General Council and notices of revision have been given to F.L.A. and Technicolor. The Laboratory Committee have had very wide discussions on the position of the Black and White production. They have asked the General Council to press more vigilantly its policy in relation to the increased quota. Also that the Legislation Committee be asked to go into certain matters regarding the tax campaign and various other problems revolving around National Policy regarding the British Film Industry. SERVICE TO OUR MEMBERS: Two or three interesting cases have been pursued by Head Office with satisfactory results. For example, a member had a contract with a Company engaging him as a scenarist to write a screen adaptation of the story. There was a sum of £400 outstanding to this member which he had difficulty in obtaining, but through the intervention of Head Office he has now received all the monies due. Another, employed by a Company on location overseas, lost some personal belongings and a claim for compensation was made under the Insurance Clause in the Shorts Agreement. The Company were not prepared to meet the claim in full, but again, through the Head Office taking this claim up, settlement has been received by our member. Another member, employed on location locally, contracted a skin disease. The Company had taken him off the pay-roll, but Head Office took the matter up and the member received full payment of salary during the weeks the Company were in production. GENERAL NOTE: For further information and details of General Council reports members should attend Shop Meetings to receive reports back from their elected representatives on the General Council. THE CROWN THEATRE Provides Complete Studio Projection Service at Any Time to Suit Your Requirements DOUBLE HEAD PROJECTION MIXING PANELS FOR TRACKS also SUB-STANDARD PROJECTION SEATING FOR 70 PERSONS SOUND SYSTEM ALSO THREE EDITING BAYS 86 Wardour St., London, W.l Tel: GERrard 5223 Editing Bays: GERrard 9309