Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers (1930-1949)

this fact, coupled with restrictions on the import of prints from hard-currency areas, makes this method of operation desirable from an economic standpoint. Recent developments of magnetic striping, such as those described at this Society's conventions and in the Journal, have opened up further possibilities for the application of alternate sound tracks to existing prints. The high quality of reproduction obtained with this system along with the simplicity of operation should permit its use in the foreign or alternate English version field in a most practical manner. Obviously the application of a foreign or alternate English language track to a commentary-type film is a reasonably simple operation. It becomes quite complicated, however, when the sound must be supplied as dialogue to match the lip synchronism of the visuals. Special techniques for analyzing the voice portions of the original track and selecting words in the new version which match the phrasing and inflections of the original have been developed by De Lane Lee and others in Europe. Individual scene loops are recorded on magnetic stock in an erase-record cycle until a desirable take is secured. The individual sequences are later mixed with the music and effects track (which has been recorded previously) to provide the completed track. Usually new tides are prepared for release printing versions of this type and with these cut into the printing dupe and synchronized with the sound track the film is ready for release printing. Although this latter method requires the making of a new sound track, it is presently considered to be the most effective way of presenting a supplementary version of a film. The methods and techniques to be discussed in this paper deal with the application and utilization of such alternate sound tracks. The National Film Board of Canada is faced with the continuing problem of producing films in both the French and English languages for its domestic distribution. In addition to this, the prospect of increased coverage in Europe to assist the Canadian government's immigration program as well as greater activity in the fields of education and television led to study of methods to provide greater flexibility in the utilization of 16mm and 35mm prints. The use of subtitles was considered and abandoned for these reasons: (a) It is extremely difficult to present sufficient text within the space allotted in documentary films where the commentary is not necessarily linked to the visuals in an obvious manner as is the case in a story-line type of film. (b) The attention of the spectator must be divided between the picture image and text, and consequently the ability to understand the film is reduced. (c) In many areas of the world it is desirable to show the films to illiterate audiences which, of course, reduces the effectiveness of this method. Magnetic striping provides an acceptable quality sound track and is ideal in certain circumstances. Its principal disadvantages at this time appear to be: (a) The cost of new projectors or converting existing projectors is quite high. This is particularly significant in areas where several hundred projectors are in use. (b) The cost of striping a print and transferring the new sound track adds considerably to the sale price of the print. (c) The fact that the sound track can be erased and replaced with an entirely different track without reference to the original producer could have serious consequences. By design or accident, interpretation of the visuals could be used indiscriminately to express opinions which would cause embarrassment to the organization or country responsible for production and distribution of the film. As a result of these conclusions and to meet the needs of other agencies of Beachell and Graham: Dual-Purpose Optical Prints