Kinematograph year book (1944)

Film Exhibition and Kinema Technique. 197 indicated their approval of various efforts that have been made by C.E.A. branches and projectionists' committees to start training schemes. In Nottinghamshire for instance, the chief projectionists themselves gave a lead to the country by instituting an organisation which would instruct newcomers to projection rooms. A comprehensive training scheme has been started by the Northern Ireland C.E.A. The project embraces the establishment of a technical department for the inspection of apparatus and the remedying of defects and technical education consisting of two courses, the full course (£3 lis. 6d.), and a modified course for experienced men (£2 2s.). Already over 100 applications have been received. The eaucation and status of piojectionists figured among the first aims of the recently formed Kinema Projectionists and Engineers Association. It proposed to form a technical department for the purpose of raising the efficiency of the membership who have been prominent in local attempts made towards this end. Incidentally, it is interesting to recall that Tom O Brien, General Secretary of the N.A.T.K.E., with which the K.P.E.A. is associated, expressed the hope that eventually projectionists who passed a proficiency test would receive a certificate, and that chief projectionists would receive an official licence which would be recognised by the Government. Some alleviation of personnel shortage may be anticipated when the Government scheme for the training as projectionists of disabled and discharged ex-Service men starts to function. The essence of the proposals agreed to by the C.E.A., B.K.S. and N.A.T.K.E. is to provide facilities for initial training in elementary electrical engineering and its practical application to kinema projection. The full course will last nine months, the first three of which would be in a properly equipped training centre and the remainder in actual employment in a kinema. The advantage of obtaining a fullytrained man and at the same time giving a helping hand to war-disabled commended the scheme to exhibitors, more particularly as, for the first time in the history of the film Trade a large body of men is being introduced into the projection room who have been really trained for their job and have not had to pick up their knowledge as best they might. On the other hand, the point has already been raised that whether, with these trainees and civilians in the projection booth, there would be any difficulty in re-absorbing the theatre technicians and semitrained operatives as they come out of the Forces. Obviously the pick of the men will have little difficulty, but position of the others has yet to be defined. A method of meeting difficulties arising from the shortage of skilled technicians has been adopted by the Sheffield C.E.A., who have formed a pool of two specially employed projectionists who act as relief operators wherever their services are required. The scheme is co-operative and has been found to function admirably. PROJECTION EQUIPMENT AND PRACTICE. THE observed decline in the quality of projection is caused by deficiences in the human element and not in the equipment, which, whatever its make and origin, has functioned in a manner beyond the fondest hopes of many of our technicians. This is all the more remarkable considering that for three years new mechanisms have been practically unobtainable and that the machines have been subjected more often than not to heavy-handed treatment by inexperienced trainees. Moreover, installations have not been accorded the frequent servicings which they receive in peace, notwithstanding that the manufacturers have gallantly carried a restricted, though still highly efficient, maintenance service. It is, however, to the manufacturers that credit is due that the show has gone on so satisfactorily ; the war has fully proved their contentions as to the durability, strength and mechanical efficiency of their product ; the craftsmanship and quality of material put into our pre-war equipment has ensured its present performance. It has been no easy work to carry on, shortage of staff, of materials and commercial manufacturing facilities have all had to be contended with, and even now the supply of spares and also their quality are often a matter of anxiety.