The American cinematographer (Oct 1933)

October 1933 • American Cinematographer 243 able. A total of 4,250,000 feet of posi- tive raw stock was purchased, and of this, 3,100,000 feet were used on ac- tual production, 940,000 feet for music score, dubbing, sound effects, voice tests, etc., and 90,000 feet for recording tests and miscellaneous requirements of studio production routine. Of the 3,100,000 feet of production recording, 1,487,000 feet were used in choice takes, processed and printed. “NG” or “hold” takes comprised 1,622,- 000 feet, the “NG” scenes becoming immediately available for splicing and printing dailies, and the “hold” scenes becoming eventually available. Thus a surplus of 135,000 feet over the amount of film required for printing the dailies was created, to which should be added the “NG” takes of music score, dubbing, etc. Allowing a 3 per cent waste in splicing, and deducting a small number of “hold” takes later ordered processed after being held for some time, a sub- stantial quantity of spliced stock is thus left over for other uses, such as dupe picture prints occasionally required in dubbing and music scoring, or for con- ditioning the developer in the laboratory. The only new print stock purchased dur- ing the season was for printing music score, sound effects, and other material used in dubbing, where spliced stock would not be suitable due to the possi- bility that the splices might interfere with the music or the effects. On this basis, at a cost of 1 cent per foot, it is obvious that an actual saving of more than 50 per cent of the pur- chase price of print stock was effected; and to this must be added the saving in processing costs, due to the fact that less than half the negative sound track formerly processed is now put through the negative developing machines. It was found that one batch of developer lasted at least 50 per cent longer than before, on account of the smaller quan- tity of negative film processed, and the saving in chemicals, power, and general laboratory overhead amounted to several thousand dollars during that time. The new method did not reduce labor costs in the processing, as the personnel released from the developing machine crew due to the smaller quantity of film processed was put to work breaking down the film before processing. It did, however, eliminate the large amount of labor re- quired in sorting out, storing, and finally throwing out the millions of feet of “NG” and “hold” scenes that had been proc- essed and stored throughout the sea- son; and incidentally the problem of film storage space has been materially simplified. The preselection method thus permits large savings in film and laboratory costs without the investment of additional I funds in equipment, or changing the or- dinary recording, laboratory, and editorial routines in the slightest. Pan-American Cinema Studios Flies the “Blue Eagle” While Producing 16 mm Sound-On-Film Pictures Single or Double System Recording Sound Stage and Location Facilities Dubbing Sound to Silent Subjects P. C. s. All work done directly on 16mm. Film We also reduce 35mm. Sound-On-Film subjects to 16mm. Sound-On-Film using the perfected P.C.S. electrical re-recording system. Further Particulars On Request Pan-American Cinema Studios 142 Columbia Ave. North Bergen, N. J. “The Pioneer 16mm ‘Sound-on-Film’ Picture Producer” P. c. s. CINEMATOGRAPHIC ANNUAL VOLUME 1 One of the Greatest Technical Books in the Motion Picture Industry There are 675 pages of technical information such as can be found in no other single volume. In addition there is a 48 page pictorial section. Only $2.50 per Copy Here’s what authorities say about it: GEORGE HILL, M-C-M DIRECTOR “The most valuable technical book that has ever been offered the motion picture industry .... should be read by every director, cameraman, sound technician or executive in the motion picture world.” WELFORD BEATON, EDITOR THE FILM SPECTATOR “For those engaged in the photographic branch of motion pic- ture making the book should prove indispensable.” J. A. McNABB, PRESIDENT OF BELL & HOWELL CO. “I think it one of the most valuable books I have ever seen. Our company thinks so highly of it that we have ordered a copy for the head of each department in our organization.” American Society of Cinematographers, Inc., 1222 Guaranty Bldg., Hollywood, California. Gentlemen: Enclosed please find check for $2.50 for which please ship, postage paid, one copy of The Cinematographic Annual to