The Bioscope (Jul-Sep 1931)

August 12, 1931 THE BIOSCOPE ’9 One of the two studio floors in the B.C.T.S., the objects of which are explained this week by Sinclair Hill, one of the promoters of the scheme New School for Film Talent Sinclair Hill on Aims of B.C.T.S. W.E. Reduces Service Charges Hatfield’s Announcement Western Electric have this week announced substantial reductions in service charges effective the week beginning October 4th. This follows closely upon the suggestion made in The Bioscope that R. M. Hatfield could commemorate his recent appointment as British chief of W.E. in no better way than by reducing service charges. Mr. Hatfield, asked whether this statement of reduction in service charges was the “ startling announcement ” advertised in The Bioscope by Western Electric several weeks ago, stated this was not the case and that a further announcement of the greatest interest to the trade would be made on August 26th. The reductions will be as follows : For those theatres having 3-A, 3-S or 4-U systems, and which are now paying £3 10s. per week, the new rate will be £3 per week. For those having 3-SX or 2-S systems, and which are now paying £3 10s. per week, the new rate will be £3 5s per week. For those having 2-SX systems, and which are now paying £4 10s. per week, the new rate will be £4 5s. per week. For those having 1-S systems, and which are now paying £5 10s. per week, the new rate will be £5 5s. per week. Lupino and Stanley Together In New Production Company Lupino Lane tells us that the formation of his own company is now an established fact, and that a month or two will see it in full swing. What is more, he will be working in collaboration with his cousin, Stanley Lupino, as he did during the production of “ Love Lies,” his new B.I.P. film, reviewed in this issue. These two relatives have some astounding revelations to make regarding their feelings towards each other in the professional world. Apparently over the many years that the family have entertained the public there has been a cut throat atmosphere between the various branches which makes their recent joint effort the more remarkable. However, this professional hatchet is now buried and, from what I gather, is hardly likely to be resurrected when they really start in harness together. Here’s wishing them luck ! More Newsreel Theatres Russian Venture in Paris Newsreel halls are springing up in Paris. They are most of them small, and are (with two exceptions) as yet under construction. The Cine-Actualites " Le Journal ” is about as original and perfect a hall as one could wish for. ft is exploited by the Societe Anonyme d’Exploitation des Theatres d’Actualites — commonly called S.A.E.T.A. (which must not be confused with Seyta, distributing Tiffany films)— and the directors are Baron Henri de Baubigny, Jacques Levy Fribourg and Reginald Ford, who is also managing director and organiser. This hall — the old Electric Palace — is situated on the Grands Boulevards, and, just opposite, another newsreel hall will open, more or less under Russian financial control. A central studio within a twopenny ’bus ride of the West End of London, at which screen aspirants will receive tuition at the hands of experts in every branch of cinematography and motion picture production, and which will also be available for research work as well as for hire to film producing companies ; these are the assets offered by British Cinematograph Training Studios, a company just formed under the aegis of Sinclair Hill, Adrian Brunei, Lord Clanmorris and others. A full statement of the company’s aims was given by Sinclair Hill at an inaugural luncheon at the Dorchester Hotel last week, when he vigorously denied the suggestion that the B.C.T.S. had any association with the bogus training schools that had operated in the past. After briefly outlining the advantages of the star system as practised in America, Mr. Hill said that the position was different in England, where producers could not afford to take a chance with young artists or technicians in their most promising years, because they had no training. They had no intention of taking the bread from the mouths of those who depended for their livelihood on crowd and small-part work ; they were looking for the artist of to-morrow, and they were not out to compete with the agents or the Film Artists’ Guild. " Students of our studios,” said Mr. Hill, " will have a training in camera work, scenario, editing, lighting, and they will even have a course in the cutting rooms and laboratories to ensure that they have an all-round knowledge of everything that goes to make a picture. The greatest possible care will be taken to find out exactly what particular department in the film industry a student is fitted for, so that, instead of turning out an indifferent artist, we may produce a budding director or a promising scenarist. “ Owing to the unique construction of our studios we shall be able to rent out floor space for research or technical experiments within the reach of almost every pocket. “ Young artists between the ages of 17 and 25 will go to their jobs with production companies absolutely studio conscious. They will have appeared personally as players in the talking picture of their year, for every completed course will have its own picture to show as the record of its work and as a guide to the selection and development of individual talent. " They will understand the art of make-up and will have been made to study their features photographically ; leading hairdressing experts will study the young girl artists and experiment with their coiffures ; great dress experts will instruct girls and train them in the art of wearing clothes ; voice production, physical culture, in fact every art that is necessary to build up stars will be within the grasp of those who successfully pass the final tests. “ We have obtained premises within a twopenny 'bus ride of the West End, which are being equipped with the very latest recording devices, and which will be ready for tenancy within the next three months. " The premises that have been acquired offer for letting to production companies a main studio measuring 120 feet by 60 feet by 30 feet, which will have director’s office, staff offices, projection and cutting rooms attached. Another studio (which will be used mainly for the students and technical work) is only slightly smaller, and is being converted so that it can be used either as a whole or divided off into smaller ’sets, such as are required for topical and educational films.”