Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1953)

50 FEBRUARY 1953 may seem a remarkably small opening, but your meter is usually correct. Of course, there is often a great deal of lighting contrast in the scene to be filmed. Part of the area may be bathed in glaring sunlight, another part in deep shade. In such instances, you must decide which of these you wish to expose for, since the brightness range of color film is generally regarded as only 4 to 1. In general scenes it is best to expose for the highlights; but for closeups of dark-skinned natives, or for scenes in shaded market stalls, it is best to expose for the dark areas. Exposure should be based always on where you wish to place the emphasis. LENSES AND TRIPOD Although a standard focal length lens is satisfactory, the telephoto and wide angle are both useful accessories. With the telephoto lens, closeups of local characters can be obtained from some distance, thus overcoming native camera-shyness. It is also invaluable in bullfight sequences. In the country you will wish to include some scenes of farming and of ploughing with ox teams. These activities usually take place some distance from the motor road. With a telephoto lens, fine shots can be made literally from the car window. Again, in towns and cities where cathedral spires soar above the narrow streets and small plazas, the wide angle lens comes in handy. Use a tripod, thus insuring steady and sharp results. Keep your camera set up on the tripod at all times. You then will be able to shoot at a moment's notice the bustling, colorful, fleeting activity which is Mexican life. There is no lack of human interest material in Mexico, but it moves fast. In order to capture it effectively on film you must be an alert and coordinated operator. Above all, avoid that irritating tendency of making movies of still subjects and of panning landscapes. Film that cathedral or town square when there are people in the scene to give it animation. Also film that cactus desert when there is a donkey train or at least one peon crossing the foreground or middle distance. And (heaven forbid!) should you have any camera trouble, wish any photographic advice or run out of film, be sure to contact Eastman Kodak Company in Mexico City. You'll find their main agency at Eastman Kodak Stores, San Jeronimo 24, Mexico, D.F. They are most willing and helpful, and they do speak English. So let's make it Mexico with your movie camera for this winter's vacation. I'm sure that you will agree with us that it is a photographer's paradise. News of the industry Up to the minute reports on new products and services in the movie field Projection lamp A new motion picture projection lamp, hailed by optical engineers as the biggest screen-lighting development in 20 years, was introduced late last month by the Lamp Division of the Westinghouse Electric Corporation. Fundamental in the new design is a smaller, more compact filament which puts up to 20 percent more light on the screen, depending upon the efficiency of the projector's optical system. Also important is the "floating bridge," a patented Westinghouse feature which permits the filament sections to ride as a unit on vertical rods during expansion and contraction. Bell & Howell engineers, who worked with Westinghouse personnel in developing the new lamp, have adopted it as standard equipment in all Filmo projectors. Colburn expands When, in 1946, the George W. Colburn Laboratory moved into new quarters at 164 North Wacker Drive, in Chicago, the company took over two floors of that five-story building. They are now in the process, which will be completed this May. of expanding into the remaining floors, for occupancy of the entire premises. Colburn's current move will permit expansion of the laboratory's printing and production services, as well as of fering enlarged facilities for editing, recording and art title making. The League's ACL membership leader, in both its 8mm. and 16mm. versions, is printed by the Colburn lab. Triple play ^ y°u have a Bolex H-16 camera, to which you have had Tullio Pellegrini, of San Francisco, add a dissolving shutter, you may now have Joseph Yolo, 5968 Santa Monica Boulevard, Hollywood, Calif., add his automatic dissolve attachment to run the Pellegrini shutter . . . Paillard to Pellegrini to Yolo. PAR solenoid A 115 volt AC so lenoid, designed to act upon the single frame release of the Cine-Kodak Special (I or II) has been announced by PAR Products Corporation, 926 North Citrus Avenue, Hollywood 38, Calif. The unit. PAR claims, may be installed by the user and will act without interference with the PAR four-lens turret or the Yolo automatic dissolve when either is already installed on the Special. Price, complete details and a cata SINGLE FRAME shooting with the C-!< Special is an effortless operation with the new solenoid designed by PAR Products Corp., of Hollywood. SMOOTH DISSOLVES: The Yolo automatic shutter drive, long popular with C-K Special users in making smooth dissolves, will sooi> be offered for use on the Bolex in combination with the Tullio Pellegrini dissolving shutter design. log of other PAR photo accessories may be obtained from the company by a mention of Movie Makers. Fred Schmid dies Fred Schmid, who had completed fifty years of service with the C. P. Goerz American Optical Company at the time of his retirement in 1950, died recently. Mr. Schmid had been president of C. P. Goerz in this country for the last twenty years of his active business life. Films in USe A new booklet entitled Community Film Use, which suggests ways in which the motion picture can most effectively be integrated with other communal activities, has been released by the Film Council of America. Thirty cents and a request addressed to the FCA, at 600 Davis Street, Evanston, 111., will get you a copy. Film on magnetic Thecapacities and operation of the RCA Victor 400 magnetic recorder-projector are now being set forth