Minutes of evidence taken before the Departmental Committee on Cinematograph Films (1936)

COMMITTEE ON CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS 19 May, 1936.] Mr. S. H. Cole, Mr. D. Dickinson and Mr. G. H. Elvin. [Continued. but allows renters' quota to any such, films which, if registered, are deemed to have special exhibition value. It is felt that this practice hampers the production of this type of film, and we draw attention to the special case separately presented by the Associated Realist Film Producers, Ltd. This body is affiliated to the Association of Cine-Technicians and we support in its entirely its recommendations. It will be noticed from the Board of Trade returns for the year ended 30th March, 1934, that whereas the production of long British films easily exceeded the quota regulation of 20 per cent., as stipulated in the present Act, the production of British " shorts " .was only 4-2 per cent, of the number of imported " shorts." We feel that within the spirit of the present Act this also should have been 20 per cent. This deficit was only remedied by the excess production of long films. The actual figures were-: — British. Foreign. Percentage Feet. Feet. 1,161,000 3,036,000 38-2 32,000 760,000 4-2 Long Short We suggest that the new Act should divide quota into two classes — Long and Short Films. That is, instead of productions of all lengths being counted for quota as a whole, as it is under the present Act, renters and exhibitors should have to satisfy quota both as to long and short films. The definition of a short film should be " any of 3,000 feet in length, or less." It is further suggested that short films available for quota should exclude : — (a) Advertising films (for which payment is made to the exhibitor), (o) Trailers. (c) Newsreels. (d) Any films distributed free of charge. And should be divided into two categories : — (A) Studio Films : which fulfil the conditions of quota under Section 3, Clause 27, of the present Act, which section we suggest continues to apply to such films. (B) Other than Studio Films. The association feels that documentary films should be given an opportunity to rank as quota, while still excluding, as in the present Act, trivial scenic and interest films made without a scenario and without constructive intention. It is, therefore, suggested that films in this category should rank for quota subject to the following conditions : — (i) They should be made to a pre-arranged scenario. (ii) The scenario should be deposited before the film is made, and after production it should be compared with the shot-by-shot description of the film. If the two are in general agreement, then we consider that the film should be eligible for quota. If there is a great discrepancy between the two, then we suggest that the film should go before a sub-committee, as proposed in the evidence of Associated Realist Film Producers, Ltd. (V) British Dominions. The next Act should be confined to pictures made in the British Isles, but there should be some reciprocal arrangement, preferably a one-to-one basis, with the Dominions. At present certain pictures made in some of the Dominions may be used to comply with the Act, and yet actual pictures made are dismal failures from a quality viewpoint. For example, one company bought two silent pictures made in India which the C.E.A. report refused to "mark" as they were of no entertainment value whatsoever. A company has recently been formed in Canada in order to make 18 pictures to conform with the quota regulations. At present the Canadian industry has not been able to produce good pictures, and a statement has been made that bad as English " quickies " may be, certain Canadian, ones are very much worse. (VI) Privileged Technicians. According to Clause 27, 3 (111), of the present Act, the scenarist appears to be in a privileged position as against other grades of workers, which include Cameramen, Sound Recordists, Art Directors, Editors and Cutters. Still Photographers, Directors, Assistant Directors, Make-up Artists, etc. While not wishing to change the position as regards the Scenarist, the Association would like the possibility considered of putting other classes of technicians, which can and should be entirely British, in this category as well. We suggest that not more than one foreign technician shall be employed in the whole of the above classes of technicians on any one picture. If, for example, the production company desires to engage a foreign cameraman, the rest of the technicians employed would have to be British (in all the above departments) to enable a film to qualify for quota. (VII) Interpretation of Act. Recent correspondence between the Board of Trade and a major studio requesting a definition of " scenario " emphasises the necessity of a glossary defining technical terms, etc., being added to any subsequent Act. In drawing up such a glossary, the Association of Cine-Technicians, as the only body representative of film technicians, would be happy to co-operate. An indication of the type of glossary suggested is published in " Filmcraft." by Adrian Brunei (Newnes, 3s. 6d. net). (VIII) Advisory Committee Appointed under the C.F.A. The C.F.A. , 1927, provides for a Committee to advise the Board of Trade on the administration of the provisions of the Act. The Committee is at present constituted of two representatives of film makers, two representatives of film -renters, four representatives of film exhibitors, and five persons having no pecuniary interest in any part of the film industry. Employees have no representatives on the Committee. As the Act, however, covers many matters which directly affect employees, and it is hoped that the next Act will include still more clauses of this nature, it appears both reasonable and advisable that the Committee, and its powers, should be extended. The film industry is responsible for the employment of a very large number of persons, and, as it is their livelihood which the Act claims to protect, the Association of Cine-Technicians feels strongly llmt employees' representatives — particularly on the production side — appointed through their respective organisations should be on this Committee. Conclusion. Because of the mis-application of the original purpose of the Act, British technicians have acquired an undeservedly bad reputation. Working on cheap quota pictures, sponsored by foreign renters, they have had little chance to develop their potential ability. British technicians, where given the opportunity, can do well. Productions made by entirely or almost entirely British labour include: "Escape Me Sever." "Nell Gwyn," "Turn of tin Tide," " .1 Woman Alone," "Secret Agent," "Thirty-Nine Steps," ■•'The Man Who Knew Too Much." "Night Mad." " U.B.C.. The Void of Britain" " Blackmail," <u>d " Queen of Hearts." It the Ait is not renewed there might be considerable unemployment resulting not only to British technicians but to manual, semi-manual and clerical workers.