International projectionist (Oct 1931-Sept 1933)

7i4 G Vol. 5. No. 4 EDITORIAL PAGE JUNE 1933 Canada Shows the Way to Better Projection Substituting organized factfinding for the rabid rantings of exhibitors, the National Research Council, Canadian government subsidiary, has reported the results of its investigation into conditions affecting the efficient and safe operation of projection rooms. This report is printed in full elsewhere in this issue. The personnel of the committee which conducted this investigation is such as to dispel any doubt as to its ability and impartiality, which serves to make the Council report such an important addition to projection literature as to warrant the serious attention of projection organizations everywhere, and particularly those in the United States. We find ourselves in agreement with the Council report overall, the most significant feature of which is the finding that a projectionist should be stationed at the side of every operating projector and not engage in any other room activity. This finding is in accord with wellinformed opinion on the subject. Certain other features of the report warrant more than passing attention. Noteworthy is the incorporation in the report of the exhibitor objection that the Unions' insistence upon qualified men and the maintenance of proper room standards, operates to the "great disadvantage of the theatres." The implications of this complaint are plain: the Unions are cornering the supply of quality men. What a crime ! The U. S. Bureau of Standards is credited with the statement that film can be ignited by a carbon arc in one-half second. The importance of worn parts and defective equipment is recognized as running a close second to the ability of the projectionist as a vital factor in fire prevention. Proper first training and continuing study make a first-class projectionist, states the report. "Safety devices", often characterized in these columns as futile fireprevention aids, are declared to be useless in the event a film jams in the projector or a patch comes apart. Section 5 Cb), of the report surprises us by stating that the abolition of discs and the consequent advancement in sound-on-film technique provide an "automatic adjustment of sound level". This is news to us, our position being that volume control still is as conspicuous by its absence in 99 per cent, of all motion picture theatres as it was in 1927-8. Service engineers are credited with having effected an improvement in equipment ; but since such workers are concerned only with the sound apparatus, we do not agree with this finding. Film should be rewound only by hand, providing an opportunity to inspect for tears, scratches and loose patches. The position of the S. M. P. E. as the standard-setting and fact-finding body in motion picture technical matters is recognized by the Council, the report containing many references to S. M. P. E. standards as the ideal. Prevailing practice in the United States failed to weigh heavily with the Council, for the reason that there exists no central bureau for the clearing of authentic information on such topics. CWe wonder whether the organized craft con.siders this a matter of importance. Probably not.) The report delivers a cru.shing blow to those who oppose high standards for projectionists by endorsing the idea of (1) selecting only capable men for projection work, [6 and (2) providing, a means for keeping projectionists abreast of developments in their work. Recognition is accorded the right of the paying patron to enjoy the very best projection work possible — which statement may very well stand all alone and not be tiedin with any consideration of safety factors. Emphasis is placed upon the ever-present possibility of an acute emergency situation developing as a result of fire, and the second projectionist on the shift is characterized as an insurance policy against possible calamitous results of such situations. International Projectionist congratulates the NaticHial Research Council of Canada on this splendid piece of work. So much heated air has been expelled on this topic that the vital factors involved have been all but obscured, to the great detriment of projection in particular and show business in general. To those Canadian units of the organized craft, and in particular to their leaders, is due the thanks of projectionists. These men have in this instance again proved that for true unity they are the stand-out members of the profession. J TL Projectionists are unduly ex ^ Labor and The ^j^^^^ ^^^ ^^ink, about the probNational Recovery able effects of the National ReA^f covery Act upon their daily work and weekly wage. The industry trade papers reflect a feverish activity upon the part of other industry groups — production, distribution, and exhibition— to get together and agree upon what will serve as an industry code. Undoubtedly there are many policies and practices within the motion picture industry that are sadly in need of an overhauling, if not elimination. But the industry press seems to have overlooked the obvious fact that the primary interest of the National Recovery Act is the welfare of the laboring class, the spread of employment and a more equitable distribution of money in the form of wages, minimum scales of which will be set and observance of which will be insisted upon. Every statement of policy from the directors of the Act has served to emphasize this fact. The very worst that Labor may expect from the administration of the Act is a better deal than it is now getting. It is not inconceivable, of course, that poor representation of a given craft's position before the Labor Board might result in something less than a good deal, but the possibility of such an occurrence appears remote ^ at this time. Labor itself will be expected to make cer ^ tain changes of its own accord. Unions will probably be expected to abolish work lists upon which appear the names of those who must sit on the bench and await the appearance of a job, which means that all members of a Union will have to get an equal amount of work, resulting from a more even spread of hours of labor. Industry codes will pass in seemingly endless review before the executors of the Act in Washington, but Labor need not be unduly alarmed as to the ultimate results. Thus will be vindicated the opinion of Abraham Lincoln who declared: "Without Labor capital could not exist. Labor, therefore, is by far the more important of the two." ]