Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1952)

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73 MAKING READY FOR MAGNETIC Single-perf film? A single-sprocket camera? Here are the answers to every amateur's questions, as he makes ready for the magnetic movie era JAMES W. MOORE, ACL WITH the announcement last month of the Filmosound 202 magnetic projector, the count now stands at two on the commercially available projectors ready, willing and able to record and reproduce sound on magnetically striped 16mm. film. There will be other such instruments announced in the year ahead. Of this you may be as sure as that the sun will rise. There will be, as well, adapter kits announced to convert existing sound on film projectors to magnetic use, designed either by the projector manufacturer in question or by accessory manufacturers already dealing in the magnetic sound medium. And — hold your breath — there may be magnetic sound even for 8 before the year's end! But these statements are in the realm of prophecy. They are based on rumors — with which the amateur film field is now constantly and incredibly rife. And Movie Makers, traditionally, does not deal in rumors. When the prophecies above become bodied forth in fact, we shall bring them to you — accurately, immediately and fully. In the meantime, it seems to us that the present facts are these . . . Magnetic sound on film is not only here; it is here to stay. And, whether you intend buying a magnetic projector next month or next year, it is high time to take thought about getting ready for it. HERES WHAT YOU DO For the farsighted 16mm. amateur, intending to go into magnetic sound at any time in the foreseeable future, there are three basic changes in traditional camera operations which he should make at once. These are: 1. Shoot all films from now on at the preferred magnetic sound speed of 24 frames per second — instead of the silent speed of 16 fps. Why do this? Because (A) although the Bell & Howell magnetic projector will record and play back at 16 fps, better quality is achieved at the true sound speed, and (B) any film of yours which may carry an optical sound track, or which may be used for television, must be projected at 24 fps. Shooting at sound speed will mean, in turn, allowing % stop more exposure than would be normal for any given scene at 16 fps. For consistent shooting at the 24 frame speed, the simplest way of making this exposure compensation is by changing permanently the film speed settings used on your meter; i.e., for Outdoor Color, change from Weston 8 to 6 or from ASA 10 to 7%. If your camera does not operate at 24 fps, some benefit may be obtained by shooting 1/3 to i/o again as much footage per scene at the 16 frame speed. This will give your shots normal screen duration when projected at 24 fps in magnetic duplicate. 2. Use only films carrying a single instead of a double line of perforations. Why do this? Because this is the type of stock which existing optical-magnetic projectors (RCA and B&H) are designed to use in their twin sound functions. Film manufacturers and the emulsions which they offer on single-perforated sound stock will be itemized presently. There is no difference in price, incidentally, between single and double-perforated stocks of the same emulsion. Important Note: For the present, at least, it is not possible to use single-perforated film in 16mm. magazine cameras because of the location of the sprocket in the magazine. Thus, as will be seen immediately, only change No. 1 above can be carried out currently by magazine camera users contemplating magnetic sound. However, an immediate changeover to 24 frame shooting will benefit them, since these double-perforated films can then be projected at a proper speed in single-perforated duplicate form. 3. Have your roll film camera adapted, if necessary, to accept the single-perforated film stocks. This means, in brief, a changeover from double-toothed sprockets to single sprockets and from pull down claws engaging the film on both edges to a claw (or claws) engaging the film on a single edge only. Camera manufacturers and data on their preparations to undertake these alterations will be itemized presently. [Continued on page 86] Reeves Soundcraft Paillard Products THE PENCIL points here to the imperforated edge of a single -perforated film, on which an optical sound recording or 100 mil magnetic striping may be positioned. SINGLE CLAW HERE'S HOW one popular roll film camera will look after alterations for shooting on single-perf sound film. The film in projector will have perforations facing operator. SPROCKET SINGLE PERFORATED FILM