International projectionist (Jan 1959-Dec 1960)

manufacturer as "inaccurate" and "inadequate." The critique by the filmstrip manufacturer picks only at straws. Without going into this in detail, there are two points I wish to mention. There are sufficient obsolete filmstrip projectors in the schools to make leader damage a problem even today. The automatic or semi-automatic slide projector with its remote-control button and tray-loading is now a commonplace and extremely popular with teachers, the great majority of whom recognize the very same classroom advantages discussed in Holt's article. As for use of silicones on filmstrips (Film-Magic cloth), I feel that the filmstrip manufacturer would do better to lacquer the emulsion side of his strips. What Happens? Just This (ii/Vfaxda" screen illumination with Conventional Condensers When the conventional condenser system is used in a Mazda lamphouse, the image of the filament on the film aperture produces a "streaky" field of light. This defect is overcome by the relaycondenser system which focuses the lamp filament — not upon the picture aperture but upon a relay lens which, in turn, images the smoothly-illuminated main condenser upon the aperture. Harwald's Equipment Catalog The Harwald Co. has issued a comprehensive catalogue of A-V and, in general, film-handling equipment. Comprising 32 pages, this compendium presents complete specifications of every unit needed to present, preserve and store practically every item that would Not at all Quiet on the Filmstrip Front The appended commentary upon the article "Notes on Filmstrip Technique," by Joseph P. Holt, which appeared in IP for October last (p. 15) was contributed by a manufacturer of filmstrips who prefers to remain anonymous. Reluctantly, IP accedes to his request, but avidly commits his comments to print. REGARDING "Notes on Filmstrip Technique," by Joseph P. Holt, in your October issue (p. 15), in the second paragraph is the statement that "some manufacturers offer free replacement of strips which may have been damaged in use." Actually, I believe that the majority of filmstrip manufacturers have a replacement policy for strips that have been damaged accidentally. Charges for this replacement service, as a rule, run anywhere from 25 to 75 cents for each strip, which are usually considered as "handling" rather than "replacement" charges. Since we produce and send a great many of our strips out for preview, we are quite aware of the damage which occurs. The article states that the most common trouble is with that portion of the strip used for threading into the feed-sprocket of the projector. This type of damage, we believe, was quite common on some of the earlier projectors where the gates swung open and it was necessary to properly place the filmstrip on the feed sprocket. In some of the older machines this was quite difficult to do without damaging or puncturing the strips. Sketchy Leaders Present a Prime Difficulty Almost all modern projectors use a push-in threading system, thus this particular type of damage happens very rarely. In fact, as a recent meeting of filmstrip producers, in Chicago, there was set up a recommendation for standards on strips which allows more leader. This, however, was not for the reason implied in the article, but because certain strip projectors required a few extra frames so that the entire mechanism could be engaged before the first picture was on the screen. As for repairing strips with Mylar Tape, of course this is a satisfactory way of doing it, but, as previously mentioned, because of the low replacement cost by most producers, it is generally held that replacement would be far more desirable and less costly than mounting between glass. True, strips are damaged from time to time in the middle of the film. This type of damage, we believe, is not caused by the operator but by failure of the equipment, because the heat filter has either been broken or removed, and not replaced. The strip at this point sticks to the aperture glass: when the operator attempts to advance it, the sprocket holes are torn and, perhaps, the strip itself. Regarding the placement of reference numbers on each frame. Using the average school strip, we believe that a reference number on each frame is in the minority. Most school strips have captions — the "silent" version. Identification numbers are used in some cases, but most frequently are used with "sound" strips. Proper Equipment Dictates Procedure You refer to the automatic-type slide projector. Very few schools, percentagewise, own this type of equipment. For industrial use, perhaps where a small quantity of slides are ordered, the automatic-slide projector is used. When a large quantity is used, however, strips are a great deal cheaper. Filmstrips are usually projected to "trigger" discussion rather than just to show pictures. Proper use of the strip in the classroom will cause the operator to vary the amount of time that each picture appears on the screen, depending upon the students' reaction. Most of the filmstrip producers today use different film hardening and lubricating processes, and, as a result, a great deal of scratching and finger-marking will, with increasing refinement of processes, be gradually eliminated. be required for the effective presentation of an A-V program — whether educational, industrial, fraternal, or what has one. Harwald policy is that any client any where may phone the company collect and be advised upon the proper procedure for any given set of cir: stances. A copy of this catalogue would (Continued on page 21) INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST JANUARY 1959 IS