International projectionist (Jan 1959-Dec 1960)

All-Purpose Test Alignment Film Now Available from MPRC Stemming from a survey conducted by the Motion Picture Research Council in hundreds of theatres of varying capacity and viewing conditions is the accompanying illustrative and explanatory copy relative to a test reel which, properly utilized, will convey an accurate representation of the quality of your screen image. THIS alignment film can be used for anamorphic (CinemaScope 2.35:1) and wide-screen projection and the following checks can be made: aperture measurements, height steadiness, sideweave, travel-ghost, focus, breathing, buckling and squeeze ratio. The target as illustrated on this page consists of the following design: the vertical center line is 0.738-inch from the guided edge and is common for both CinemaScope and wide-screen apertures. Maximum outside lines represent the 0.715 by 0.839-inch aperture. Inside this field are the dimensions of the 0.825 by 0.600-inch aperture. A horizontal center line separates the top and bottom half of the target symmetrically. The lines on top and bottom of the chart are 0.002-inch thick and are spaced 0.010 inch. The line scales on the sides of the chart are 0.001-inch thick and are spaced 0.010 inch. Thus, horizontal and vertical scale lines will appear of equal thickness on the screen when projected at an anamorphic ratio of 2-to-l. Aperture Measurements. When projecting the chart with either widescreen or CinemaScope aperture, the scale lines for height can be used directly for aperture measurement. If different numbers appear on the top and bottom of the screen, the true aperture height is the mean value of the two readings. If the aperture is filed off-center, it can be corrected with the help of the height scales. In order to aid the width-filing of apertures, the vertical scale lines are longer, which will aid measurements while filing for keystoning. While using the height and width scale lines for measurement, it should be noted that the dimensions count to the outside edge oi these lines away from the respective center line. Height Steadiness. In order to judge steadiness in height, the lines on top and bottom are used. The width of a line represents 0.002 inch and the spacing from line to line 0.010 inch. Unsteadiness in height can be checked by observing the line nearest the aperture edge and its movement on the screen. Side Weave. To judge side weave the vertical lines on the right and left edge or the target are used. Each line represents 0.001 inch with a spacing of 0.010 inch from line to line. The amount of side weave can be checked by observing the line nearest the edge of the aperture and its movement on the screen. Travel-ghost. For checking travelghost, a pattern consisting of white square blocks is distributed above and below the main-title lettering and extended toward the four corners. These APAL Test-Film Chart On the film the chart consists of white lettering and lines on a dark background. squares (converted into horizontal rectangles in anamorphic projection) will show any travel-ghost present. Figures and lettering of the chart also show travel-ghost. Focus. The lettering and the fine-line fence pattern in the central area of the target are used to judge focus. The lettering allows an easy overall check of focus, while the fence-pattern allows focusing for finer detail and a check of focus from left to right across the center of the aperture. The "A" letters are of equal size and are used to check focus from center to corner. 'Breathing' and Buckling. A pair of fine black crosslines of 0.001-inch thickness is provided in the diamondshaped pattern in the center. These crosslines will be hard to focus if substantial "breathing" or buckling occurs in the aperture. Squeeze Ratio. The lettering of the chart can be read in anamorphic and wide-screen projection. A number of patterns have been designed in a 2-to-l ratio. The rectangles to the left and right of the vertical center line, when unsqueezed, will be converted into squares. The diamond-shaped pattern in the center, when unsqueezed, will appear as a square standing on its edge. This film is available under Code No. APAL; price 10 cents per foot, minimum length 50 feet, or increments of 50 up to 1,000 feet. Century 75/35-mm Projector Now in Production Manufacture of the first Americanmade 35 and 70-mm projection and sound equipment was announced by Century Projector Corp., with deliveries to meet anticipated release schedules of 70-mm pictures now in production. The John P. Filbert Co., of Los Angeles, will be the exclusive sales agent for the equipment in the United States. The equipment is the result of several years of research and experimentation in the design and manufacture of special film devices to handle the new wide-film processes which some of the producers have been utilizing. Several such projectors of an experimental nature were used in actual theatre tests. Match SMPTE Standards Century, in announcing the new equipment, said that "quality tests indicate that the types of projection as exemplified by the standards of the SMPTE and the Academy of M. P. Arts & Sci; regarding picture steadiness and sound reproduction have been obtained.'' Directing the sales program for the Filbert Co. is S. L. Kantos. INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST FEBRUARY 1959