American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1941)

have for some reason been re-elected each successive year — but it's also grand fun. And as we watch the screening of the films we've made together, and think of the friendships developed while working together to make them, I'm sure all of us are convinced that, given the right sort of a group, no other form of moviemaking can compare with scenario productions— unlimited ! Sound Projection (Continued from Page 123) projector will be discussed in this chapter. Most sound projectors are produced by silent projector manufacturers, and the picture-mechanism and I maintenance in both cases are similar, but perforations on sound film are on ' one side of the film only. On the other j side of the film is the sound-track, therefore the claws and sprockets which move the film must act only on one side of the film. 16mm. sound projectors are usually the choice of business organizations, schools, and people who can afford the best projector. The quality of 16mm. " sound projectors has been greatly improved and their cost is now only about j 25% greater than good silent projectors. " They are equipped with 1600 ft. reels and their operation is not much more difficult than silent machines, but be; cause sound films are projected at a greater speed than silent pictures, they need more care in threading. Before the machine is started, each sprocket should be examined to make I sure that the film is correctly seated on i the sprocket-teeth. Film-loops should ] be of the size recommended by the projector manufacturers. It is advisable to make doubly sure in threading the . machine by turning the mechanism by 1 hand before the power is switched on. This, by the way, is also a very good ] safeguard in silent projection as well. The sound projector consists of two main parts, the sound-head and the projection-head, which, except for the above, mentioned fact regarding the sprockets and claws, is similar in design to silent projectors. The standard position for U the sound gate is 25 picture-frames ] ahead of the projection gate. Instead of ] the film passing the sound-gate or scan ning-beam by means of an intermittent movement, it is essential that the film passes this spot in a perfect even flow. Any vibration or irregularity in the movement of the film as it passes the scanning beam will be heard from the speaker as a rise and fall of pitch known as "wowing." Most sound projectors have means whereby a microphone and a gramaphone pick-up can be plugged into the amplifier. This is an important accessory when public film-shows are contemplated, because good silent films with carefully-chosen musical backgrounds of a steady volume-level are equal to sound films containing dialogue. Catalogues are issued by gramaphone companies which classify mood music and sound-effect records suitable for any film. These are helpful for people who do not have a wide knowledge of gramaphone records. The double-turntable system of supplying music and sound effects for silent films is very simple and popular. Assembled outfits or parts for making the various units can be purchased with or without an amplifier, and it is advisable to use turntables so designed that the two pickups are wired in a manner which permits both records to be played together, and that a change from one record to another be possible without any break in the sound continuity. It will be appropriate at times to play soft music on one turntable, and sound-effects on the other. Any voice, sound-effect or music, can be recorded on discs made of a special material which can be played back immediately after a recording has been made. These special discs are not expensive and can be made by a portable recorder, or by sound studios specializing in this work. They must be played using a very light pick-up and a special "transcription needle." When sound pictures are shown in public halls, schools, or large rooms, it is not always possible to prevent echo on short notice, but improvement may be effected in the acoustics of any room by lining it with celotex, furnishing it with carpet, or by draping the wall behind the projector with a heavy fabric. It will be noticed that the echo in a room containing smooth hard plastered or cemented walls is greater before the audience arrives, because human bodies and clothes act as sound absorbers. The CAMERA SUPPLY COMPANY ART REEVES 1515 Nort+i Cahuonqa Boulevard Cable Address — Cameras HOLLYWOOD Cable Address— Cameras CALIFORNIA Efficient-Courteous Service New and Used Equipment Bought — Sold — Rented Everything Photographic Professional and Amateur average living room with its furniture, floor-covering and curtains, has the effect of eliminating a portion of the echo. Some sound projectors are sold in enclosed carrying cases which are more or less soundproof. 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Extensively used in shooting surgical operations, small animal life, etc. GOERZ Parallax-Free FOCUSER J and FIELD FINDER CONTROL { for Filmo 121 and Simplex-Pockette, no more i off-center pictures, magnifies 4 and 8x. For Detailed Information Address Dept. ACS C. P. GOERZ AMERICAN OPTICAL CO. 1 317 E. 34th St., New York, N. Y. American Lens Makers Sines 1899 American Cinematograp-her March, l'.Ml 149