The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

December 1956 CINE TECHNICIAN 189 year the company had been informed that we would oppose this film qualifying for British Quo'a unless a full British crew was engaged, and three of our members were instructed not to take employment with the Company until the differences between the company and the Union were cleared up. It had been reported that a music recording session was due to take place at Beaconsfield, and H. Middleton had contacted the shop steward at Anvil Films and told him that the Union's black on the film had not been lifted. The recording session at Beaconsfield therefore did not take place, although it is understood it had been done somewhere else. The Musicians' Union had promised to give any help they could and a circular has been sent out to all laboratory Shop Stewards advising them to contact Head Office before proceeding with any processing. The Organiser had received a letter from Ken Cameron protesting against his action in very strong terms. The Executive agreed: 1. The job should continue to be blacked in every way possible and a notice to this effect should go to all recording studios. 2. The Organiser should inform Ken Cameron that his letter was reported to the Executive Committee and he was instructed to write and inform him that the Executive Committee had full confidence in the Officers of the Union. 3. That Head Office should convey the Executive's congratulations to the members at Beaconsfield on their prompt action. " MOBY DICK ": A complaint was received from the Editorial Section Committee that this film was being hailed as American. The Committee felt that A.C.T.T. should take some action about this. The Executive Committee agreed that Head Office should raise the matter with Warner Brothers as a matter of principle, having first obtained more detailed information from the Editorial Committee. The director, John Huston, was also being contacted. LEGISLATION COMMITTEECLASSIFICATION OF TV FILMS: The Executive Committee considered the following proposals from the Legislation Committee on the conditions to be observed before film can be classified as 100% British: 1. It must be made wholly in the United Kingdom (subject to normal location conditions). 2. United Kingdom Producer and Director must be employed. 3. United Kingdom technicians and crews to be employed. 4. At least half the stories must be original stories by U.K. writers. At least half the scripts must be by U.K. script-writers and, in addition, a maximum of another quarter be foreign stories scripted by British writers. 5. Artists: As in draft from I.T.A., subject to Equity's approval. 6. Music: As in draft, subject to Musicians' Union approval. 7. Laboratory processing throughout to be carried out in the United Kingdom. 8. (a) If the films are made outside the United Kingdom an immediate reduction of 259r should be made on quota valuation, and (b) Under less favourable conditions than any of the above provisions their quota value to be determined as less than 100% on a points system to be worked out. These proposals were endorsed. NOTE THE DATES A.G.M. SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, MARCH 9th & 10th, 1957 RESOLUTIONS AND NOMINATIONS must be in by FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28th, 1956 ROTHERHITHE STUDIOS were closing and the management had decided to give notice to all their personnel in the studios. In view of the fact that they were unable to contact Head Office prior to giving this notice they have given them a week longer than they would be entitled to normally. The Executive Committee agreed that in conjunction with the other Unions an approach should be made to the management to try and keep things going. TECHNICOLOR: Letters of resignation were received from certain members at Technicolor who had decided to transfer to the A.E.U. The Executive agreed that there should be a joint meeting between officials of the A.E.U. and A.C.T.T. in an endeavour to resolve the problem, prior to which all the facts in connection with the resignations and the events leading up to them should be obtained from the shop. It was also agreed that pending such joint meeting the members concerned should be written to by Head Office and advised that their resignations are not acceptable. CAMERA HIRE NEWMAN SINCLAI R— Mirror Shutter, Cooke Lenses and 24mm. Angineux Wide Angle, Single Frame Exposure and Electric Motor Drive. (Available fully adapted for CINEMASCOPE if required). NEWMAN SINCLAIR — Model 'G'. Cooke Lenses, Single Frame Exposure and electric motor drive if required. Kingston Tubular and Vinten Light Gyro Tripods. LOCATION CAMERA DOLLYS Metal construction, pneumatic tyres, dropdown jacks, lightweight tracks, etc. S. W. SAMUELSON FINchley I 595 Come to Moscow for the WORLD YOUTH FESTIVAL August 1957 • £47 inclusive Young Russian Trade Unionists are preparing the welcome of a lifetime for you and thousands like you from all over the world who will be thronging to this spectacular event. Olympic stars in action; world's great musicians and films; free and open discussions with the youth of the world. Places are limited — send s.a.e. for details NOW to avoid disappointment. BRITISH YOUTH FESTIVAL COMMITTEE, 35I G08WELL ROAD, LONDON, E.C.I Technician's Notebook (Continued) Focal Press books. The price is 7/6d. Albert H. Reynolds of Dallas, Texas, has developed a portable wide screen setup which is claimed to allow exhibition of Thrillarama in any theatre without investment (Continued on page 190)