The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

14 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN January, 1954 A.C.T. News Compiled by * Middy' BRITISH ACOUSTIC: Approaches to the Management for increases in salaries have met with no success and the Unit are setting up a Campaign Committee to further look into means of pressing their claim. ROUND THE FILM WORD— Continued Magnetic tape requires no chemical processing. The pictures can be viewed the instant they are taken. An unlimited number of copies can be made quickly. Film men present at the showing predicted that, should the system be perfected, and introduced commercially, il would mark the end of the use of photographic film, cameras, printing and processing, and of present film distribution and exhibition methods. Telemeter, the beaming to cinemas of electronically recorded films — here, perhaps we can discern, through Hie mists of present uncertainties, the film industry of the future. npHE finish of shooting on Malagar in the middle of December left the Studio very quiet over Christmas, writes our Shepperton Correspondent. The only picture on the floor was Lifeline. Troubles of various kinds have put this unit behind schedule. As anticipated, the usual non-existent bonus was included in Christmas pay envelopes, and was, of course, used to toast the Company's book-keepers who had recommended that bonus. It has been noted that the clerical staff had increased their numbers by some 20 per cent, but the number of technicians remained constant. Whilst not wishing to decry the labours of the pen-pushers, it is a curious mentality that can believe that films are improved by an increase in the number of pieces of paper. We are rapidly approaching the stage when producing companies will be unable to afford to make a film because of the quite fantastic number of clerks that are being carried by the technicians. On Christmas Eve the news of the sudden death of " Rudy " came as a sad blow, particularly to members of theSound Department where he was a well-liked figure. The symDathy of all members is extended to his widow and family. The first day after the holiday saw the start of the Dannziger production The Devil Girl From Mars, complete with flying saucer. Two more pictures, The Belles of St. Trinian's and The Brute are due to start before the end of January. These, together with other productions scheduled are expected to keep the Studio very busy for a long time to come. rpHE trek away from Pinewood towards the sun began on the Tuesday after Christmas when The Seekers unit set off on the first lap of their 13.000 mile trip to Auckland. New Zealand, where they are to stay for about four weeks. The following Saturday saw the departure of the Purple Plain unit, 30 strong, headed by John Bryan. Gregory Peck and director Robert Parrish, for the Ceylon jungle, where they are to spend thirteen weeks. Before they left it wasn't sure if they would be living under canvas, but Roy Goddard assured everyone that he was doing his best to find " other accommodation." Stores issued to the unit included mosquito repellant, malaria tablets and Nivea cream. Sounds like a comfortable location! Pinewood itself is almost deserted. The only film on the floor is The Beachcomber, with Muriel Box directing. The unit all look brown and rather unhappy — coming back to this January weather is no fun after a month in the Ceylon sun. The calm, however, will not last long. Two new films are due to begin before the end of the month. First we welcome President Anthony Asquith back for his first film since his illness. The Young Lovers, with Anthony Havelock Allan producing. On the 25th January. Hugh Stewart's new comedy starring Ronnie Shiner, with Paddy Carstairs in the director's chair, takes the floor. We were all glad to hear that Carmen Dillon is out of hospital after her operation. We hope to see her back soon fit and well. Congratulations and best wishes to Pam Robie, who was married at the end of December, from the cutting rooms. There was a noticeable reaction on Christmas Eve as people received their pay packets, and found them — thicker. A bonus? No. A chit headed " Give Us Your Blood." Some people are never satisfied! EDITORIAL SECTION: The quarterly meeting of this Section took place on the 14th of December at " The Swiss " with Peter Tanner in the chair, writes Helga Cranston. After the minutes of the previous meeting had been read and approved, the meeting considered a letter from the General Secretary outlining a new policy for allowing the entry of new blood into the industry. Up till now we had no special provision for this and the granting of probationary membership has been mainly governed by the employment situation. When a temporary shortage of technicians in the lower grades has occurred, new applications for membership have been granted, but they have often gone to the next best person available without considering their suitability for the job. Many desirable applicants have merely been unlucky because they were not fortunate enough to apply at a time of a shortage of assistants. In order to make the granting of membership to young technicians less arbitrary, the General Council has suggested that a waiting list of five names be held on the books to be drawn upon when no full member? are available for work. The meeting voted that this suggestion be further considered by the section's committee. Bessie Bond then told us that the new Feature Agreement is due to be negotiated by the Technical Panel of the J.I.C. in the very near future. The meeting then discussed the alarming growth of the practice to employ only an editor and a firstassistant on a picture. This now not only applies to second features made on small budgets but is becoming more frequent on quite sizable productions. It was pointed out that our position is extremely weak as there is no clause for a minimum crew in the Cutting Room in the present agreement. Because negotiations for the new agreement can touch wages only, the meeting voted to postpone any demand for a minimum crew in the Cutting Room until the new agreement had been signed The Entertainments Committee reported that the Technical Committee had not approved finance for their programme, as they felt that the proposed lectures were of general interest to A.C.T. members and should not merely be open to memoers of the Editorial Branch. It is still hoped that the lecture by Brian Anthony on " Optical Work " will take place and, of course, there is the Editorial Section's Christmas Party on 11th January, at the Petit Clvb Francais. Tickets are 10/6 and can be obtained from Bessie Bond at Head Office. BREVITIES: It is surprising how our members keep in the news. On 5th December Ernest Borneman gave an account of Jazz in Germany in the B.B.C.'s broadcast of the " Jazz Club," and on the same day Tom Stobart was interviewed during " In Town Tonight " about his proposed return to the snows to track down and photograph the Abominable Snowman. . . . Recently a member came to see us regarding his contract. The contract was quite in order and it was interesting to note that the company concerned had, in addition to inserting a clause that the conditions of the B.F.P.A. Agreement would be observed, another stipulation that technicians must be members of A.C.T. It would simplify matters very