Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1952)

88 MARCH 1952 844 West Adams, Chicago, 111., and Stevens Engineering Company, 2421 Military Avenue, Los Angeles 64, Calif. The price: $13.50. All future H-16 cameras will come through ready for singleperf film stocks. De Jur Amsco: This company manufactures 8mm. cameras and projectors only and therefore is not presently involved. Eastman Kodak: The only 16mm. roll film camera currently manufactured by this company is the Cine-Kodak Special II. It, and earlier Cine-Kodak Specials issued over approximately the last fifteen years, will accept single-perforated film without alterations of any kind. Keystone: This company is prepared to modify existing models of its 16mm. roll film cameras to accept single-perforated film. These cameras are the A-7, A-9, and A-12. and alterations will be made only at Keystone Manufacturing Company, 151 Hallet Street. Boston 24. Mass. Price: $6.00. Future models of the A-9 and A-12 will accept singleperf film without alteration. Pathe: Director Products Corporation, American distributor of the Pathe Super-16, regrets that at present it is not prepared to modify existing models of this camera to accept single-perforated film. Revere: This company's 16mm. cameras are all of the magazine type and therefore are not currently involved in magnetic preparations. Victor Animatograph: Although this company has discontinued manufacturing its Victor models 3 and 5 roll film cameras, it is prepared to alter existing models to accept single-perforated film. About $15, at Victor Animatograph Corporation, Davenport, Iowa. FILM STRIPING SERVICE With these preparations completed, you are now in a position so that every foot of film you shoot in the future will be ready for magnetic recording and projection — when you are ready for it. But before you can record and project your magnetic film, you must have it striped. Currently offering this service are Reeves Soundcraft Corporation, direct from its plant at 671 Hope Street, Springdale, Conn., and the Bell & Howell Company, currently only from 7100 McCormick Road. Chicago 45. 111. The Reeves product is tradenamed Magnastripe, B&H's Soundstripe; the price in each case is 3% cents per foot. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS This, we feel, pretty well covers the major moves you will want to make in getting ready for magnetic sound — whether you intend to take it up next month or next year. In the meantime, a number of questions may occur to you in connection with this fascinating new development in the amateur filming field. As far as we can, let us try to anticipate these questions for you: Q: If I have my present roll film camera altered to accept single-perforated film stocks, can it still run the doubleperforated film as well? A: Yes, it most certainly can. Also, since all modern 16mm. projectors, sound or silent, are of the so-called single-claw type, you can project your single-perf films on them even before magnetic striping. This single-claw feature, however, should be checked by examination of your projector before threading. Q: Well, that's good to know. But what about my existing double-perforated silent films? Could I run them on a magnetic sound projector, if and when I get one? A: Of course you can. But in threading up these films on the projector, it will be better to by-pass the sound-scanning head, same as you would on a straight optical sound projector. Q: That reminds me. I already own an XYZ make of optical sound projector. Can I have this adapted by the manufacturer to record and reproduce magnetic sound as well? A: The decision on that is strictly up to the manufacturer concerned. Thus far. RCA Victor and Bell & Howell, citing expensive technical alterations, have declined to undertake magnetic adaptations of their existing SOF projectors. Q: What about my existing 16mm. footage, which is on double-perforated stock and was shot at 16 frames per second? Can this be used in any way on existing magnetic projectors? A: No, not as-is. Although the Filmosound 202 provides for magnetic recording and playback at 16 fps if desired, the inside row of perforations on your existing films occupies the space where the 100 mil magnetic stripe must be positioned. However, all double-perf footage may be duplicated on single-perf stock and then magnetically striped and recorded. General laboratory price for this in color is 12 cents per foot, with compensated printer-light controls. Q: Okay. Let's say that I have had this existing double-perf footage duped on single-perf stock and a magnetic stripe added. But, for reasons of my own. I don't wish to record at 16 fps. Can I successfully make a magnetic recording at 24 fps on this footage shot at 16 fps? A: Sound-wise, yes, without any question. Picture-wise, the screen action will be accelerated slightly, but in the majority of scenes not enough to be noticeable. Q: Let's suppose now that I have shot a new film on single-perf stock, had it striped and made a recording. Then a friend of mine wants a copy. Can I have the picture duplicated, complete with the magnetic sound accompaniment? A: Yes, quite easily. You first have a film laboratory duplicate the picture part of the production on single-perf base. A magnetic recording studio can then stripe this duplicate and re-record on it the exact sound accompaniment carried on the original magnetic stripe. Reeves Soundcraft, for example, is already equipped to perform this service. Q: Okay. But suppose another friend has only an optical sound projector, and he also wants a complete copy of my film. Can I have it duplicated with the magnetic recording transformed to an optical sound track? A: Again yes, and again quite easily. First have the sound studio re-record your magnetic sound in optical track form — a positive version, if it is for color duping. Then take this track and your picture to the film lab, where they will combine sound and picture in optical sound form. Q: I have had for some time a magnetic tape recorder which, in conjunction with a suitable record-player hookup, I have been using to accompany my films. Since a magnetic projector functions both as a recording and playback unit, wouldn't it be a good idea to trade in my tape recorder on the projector purchase? A: Ideally, no, this would not be wise. In any magnetic-on-film recording operation which combines both voice and music, your tape recorder will be of invaluable aid in simplifying and smoothing out the recording procedures. There will be more on this in Movie Makers as magnetic-on-film recording procedures develop. Q: One more question. Movie Makers and the ACL seem to be pretty enthusiastic about this magnetic sound on film business. If I go into it. what are the chances of getting my ACL membership leader in magnetic sound form? A: The chances are immediate and 100 percent! The League's 16mm. membership leaders are available right now on singleperforated color stock, ready for your striping. Same $1.50 price, of course, if you're figuring up an order. 4,000 Aussies [Continued from page 76] International Gold Cup (highest amateur award in the Southern Hemisphere) has been annexed by our members for the last three years! Public Relations: We have always been fortunate in inducing the press film reviewers to attend our first-night screenings. And luckily for us, their critiques in the main have been most favorable. Their published reviews insure the success of the rest of the season. And perhaps our judicious investment in advertising has not exactly prejudiced the press toward our endeavors. Member Enthusiasm: Our 200 members are each issued six tickets and a number of leaflets weeks before these functions. Very few return any unsold; many ask for more. The committee