American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1934)

July 1934 • American Cinematographer 115 TREND of Electography • A new departure in photography without a camera is termed Electography, according to "Camera," a magazine published in Germany. It is claimed some wonderful results have been obtained with this new method. In many instances it is proving of wonderful help to advertising men. Designs and patterns ore created by placing metallic objects of some sort, such as paper clips, pins, etc., on the emulsion of either paper or film. This of course takes place in a dark room. By connecting one of the metallic objects to an electric wire a shock goes through the pin or whatever is placed on the plate. You cannot see the rays with your eyes, but they affect the emulsion. After developing the plate shows all of the little electric rays or halation, or whatever you may want to call them, are photographed and usually create a very weird and interesting pattern. Distortograph • An English invention, the Disfortogroph lens, according to the British Journal of Photography, is receiving considerable attention from international cinematographic publications. It is claimed this lens is based on an entire'y new principle and is very easily attached to any existing lens mount. The effecfs secured with this lens are said to be very humorous. It is the contention that English producers are considering short comedies produced entirely with this new lens. Colored News Reel • The Colored News Reel is at last a reality, according to "Lichtbildbuehne," a European cinema publication. It is claimed a well known British news weekly will present their entire newsr^el in color. The color process used is reported to be the Dufay system. The advantages of this process are claimed to lie in the fact that no special equipment is needed by the cameraman. Flickering Stars • During the filming of Harold Lloyd's latest picture, "Cots Paw," the cameraman used his ingenuity to obtain the effect of stars flickering in the sky. THE TIMES Little sheets of tinfoil were attached by one corner to a large board. These pieces of foil covered the entire board. In front of this a glass the same size as the board was placed. This glass was painted black with a myriad of small holes in the black paint. When the lights were placed on the foil only and a fan turned on so that they fluttered in the breeze, the effect of blinking stars was secured on the film. Esperanto Talkie • Claiming there are millions of people in this world who speak and understand the international language, Esperanto, a Belgian producer is said to be making a propaganda picture in which the entire cast will speak Esperanto. It is the contention that by reducing the dialog to a minimum even those who do not understand Esperanto can intelligently follow the story by observing the action. Filming Famous Paintings • According to "Le Cineopse," a French photographic publication, the government of France is making a series of propaganda shorts showing the contents of the world famous Louvre Museum. Seemingly there is a possibility of making these shorts in color. As everyone knows the Louvre is filled with art treasures and by this means many people who would never have a chance of visiting this historic place will have an opportunity to view many priceless works of art. Official Fire Films • According to a French publication the Parisian Fire Brigade has been furnished with a motion picture production department. It is the duty of this department to make a complete record of all major fires. The records thus obtained are used for reports and training recruits. It should be mentioned that the Parisian Fire Brigade is a military organization and a part of the French army. Director Turns Inventor • When a motion picture director turns inventor, that's news. Karl Lamac, a well known European director, invented a new color process which is thought to be based on an entirely new principle. What this principle is the "Lichtbild uehne," a German publication, does not say, but the publication speaks very enthusiastically of the system and promises technical data in a later issue. Are They Silent? • Recent reports of new blimps, new methods of silencing cameras in America, brought forth sarcastic comment from some of the foreign cinematographic press. However, tests made in America of some foreign cameras prove that they are not on a par with American mode cameras which do not claim silence. Again a foreign paper reports absolute silence. We shall see. Sculptured Images • An alleged new process for obtaining a sculptured image through motion pictures IS credited to Japan, according to Popular Mechanics. History will undoubtedly show that a gentleman by the name of W. Englemann of Chicago invented the same process several years before the Japanese system. This system consists of a rotating motion picture camera that takes about 400 images of the sitter in a few seconds. The actual bust is carved out by a pontogrophic arrangement that follows the Outlines of the image. The only difference, according to some authorities, between the Japanese and the American process is that the former enlarges the images, cuts them into strips and then mounts them together.