Amateur Cine World (October 1935)

for 8mm. USERS .... . and others subsequent operations to such an extent, by eliminating a great deal of close work in the handling of the film (the frames of which, being very small, are somewhat trying to the eyes), that you will find it is really a time saver. It is as well to note that during the preparation of the list, the still picture device should not be used, since it is my experience that even on the: best machines the concentrated light tends to buckle the film and that even though this may be very slight it is sufficient to throw the film momentarily out of focus during future projections and is therefore to be avoided. When the editing list has been completed, run through the reel again, this time indicating on the shot list all those shots (whole or part) which must be cut out by reason of photographic or other defects. By this time you will find that you are so familiar with your reel that you will now have no difficulty at all in identifying any single shot, so now run it through (using your projector as a rewinder) and cut out all those parts which you have so noted on the list. If you have a film viewer it may be employed here with complete success, but do not try to list your shots by this means as it will be found to be very slow indeed. Having matched the list to your notes, run it through once more on the projector to see that you have not omitted to cut anything which should be removed. You have probably taken shots from carriage windows, but have you realised that the scenery from a moving train need be of only subsidiary interest, as in thas case. The lady provides more than a frame for the picture—she is an integral part of it. Edit on Paper First Your next step is to edit and title the film on paper. I shall say nothing of this here as the principles of editing and titling are beyond the scope of this article and were fully dealt with in the article in last month's Amateur Cine World. The main point is to work the whole thing out on paper before altering the position of a single shot. The necessity for this is frequently stressed in the reviews of readers’ films that appear every month in A.C.W. Match your film with your new, edited, shot list. At this stage you will not yet have made your titles, as it is convenient that this should be one of the final steps, but otherwise you can join up your shots in the form of the edited list. In sorting out and joining up any sort of film you will normally have more than one sequence and you will find it best to join up and complete your sequences on separate small spools and then finally to join the small spools all up together in their proper order. For sorting out the shots you will find it useful to employ a board about twelve inches square with, say, twenty-five nails hammered in it at regular intervals. Each shot cut out of your film for joining into a complete sequence can then be placed over a nail—the first shot (of the edited sequence) over the first nail, the second over the second, and so on, so that when you have sorted out a complete section of your film it is a simple matter to remove the shots from the board one at a time and splice them up. When you have joined your sequences and re-made your full spool, run through the film once more to see whether your draft titles are appropriately positioned and worded. Make any amendments in the draft list that appear to be necessary and also make any other alterations which you think desirable. The last step is to make your titles and join them in. In 8mm. work it is of particular importance to avoid fine lines and I mention the fact especially as I find it of even greater importance than is the case.with other film sizes. After splicing in the titles your film should be complete and should require no further alteration, but before further use it should be cleaned carefully with some such solution as Lumaplak, Mastral or Thawpit, using a soft, non-fluffy cloth, such as plush. The Coronet Camera Co., of 310, Summer Lane, Birmingham, 19, announce a competition for users of their Midget film and camera. The first prize is 25 guineas, the second, 10 guineas and the third, 5 guineas, while there are ten prizes of one guinea. Only 33” x 23” enlargements are required and any number may be submitted. It is not necessary to send any wrappers or cartons but entries must, of course, be taken with the Coronet camera and film. Fuller details may be obtained from your dealer or the Coronet Camera Co. An interesting leaflet has been issued by Cinique, Ltd. (formerly the Midland Cine Service) of instructions and suggestions for use with the Wizard Super Titler and metal letters. It contains instructions for assembling the titler, setting up the letters and obtaining professional-like effects. 303