Amateur Cine World (April 1935)

im IVT LING plain-backed letters are for use when making titles:in a vertical position (i.e., with the camera placed vertically above the title) or, by means of special adhesive, they may be temporarily affixed to any kind of background which may then be photographed from a horizontal position. All letters are deeply countered and some splendid effects are possible by using an extreme side lighting which casts shadows of the raised letters ; or a “‘ stereoscopic ’”’ effect is obtained by the use of a top side lighting which throws into shadow parts of the bevel of the letters. Although the letters are the most important item, and may be purchased separately, actually they form but part of a quite elaborate titling equipment as may be seen in Fig. 10. This. illustration shows the stand which supports the camera and shielded lamps, the plated cradle which accommodates a swinging title board, and a further board which is fixed to a wooden slide (working within the base) and permitting of approaching and receding titles. An extra title board and an assortment of letters is also shown. Wipe Effects. The swinging board is used to give a kind of ‘ wipe’ effect. By setting up one title on one side of the board and another, upside down, on the other side, and mounting the board in the cradle, one title is wiped off while the other is ‘‘ wiped on”’ merely by swinging the board completely over, during filming. The cradle may also be used for other devices, one of which—the travelling title—is broadly similar to that illustrated in Fig. 8 last month, two spindles being provided for this purpose. Turning to Fig. 11, we find another method of “Wizard ’’ titling. In this case the title ‘‘ board ”’ consists of a sheet of stout plate glass provided with wooden “feet.” The letters (plain back variety) are attached to the glass by means of a special adhesive, and the title may be photographed with any appropriate titling. ? Background for use in the Cine Kodak 8 and Pathescope Titlers. Fig. 11: Another method of ‘‘ Wizard ”’ (See article) background—even an animated one, if desired. For the purpose of my photograph I just hit on the title ““ The Bookworm ”’ and planted a row of any old books behind it; but it is obvious that there is scope for a good deal of ingenuity in this method of titling. |The cine camera must, of course, be so placed that the edges of the glass do not show, and—do you notice the Photoflood lamp ? Wonderful aids, these, to titling. En a Preserving Film — The Westminster Photographic Exchange, Ltd., are introducing a remarkable new method of preserving sub-standard film. For the purposes of test,. strips of both reversal and positive print were examined. Samples of ordinary film and film treated by this process were used, some of the untreated film having been hardened with alum during the processing operation, and others not so hardened. The samples were immersed in boiling water for one minute and then examined, with the following results :— Untreated film, not hardened in processing. The emulsion was considerably softened and almost fluid, and readily came away from the transparent base. Untreated film, hardened in processing. The emulsion remained fairly hard and firm, but stripped from the transparent base when rubbed with the finger. Specially treated film. The film appeared unchanged, except for temperature, and was impervious to rubbing, even with the edge of the finger nail. Loops of film were prepared and run through a projector of well-known make, for periods corresponding to 500 projections of each section of the film. The film was examined at various points during projection. It would appear that the greatest hardening effect of the preservation process was upon the actual sensitive emulsion, and at the end of the projection period this showed only faint surface marking. The untreated film showed definite surface abrasion. On the transparent base side of the film surface, abrasion was noticeable in all samples, but there was less of this in the treated samples. A further report on this very notable method will appear in a later issue. 19