British Kinematography (1949)

35 Studio llluminants One of the biggest steps forward is that of the illuminating engineer, who has designed and perfected new types of lamps with completely new light sources. We all remember the discharge lamp that was used many years ago in all studios ; derived from this we now have the mercury-cadmium compact-source discharge lamp, constructed in 2kw. and 5kw. sizes. The colour emission has proved suitable for colour film. The problems of striking these arcs ^nd of "simmering" them to avoid delay in re-striking have been overcome. Their silence is an important factor in the studio. Another important advance is the introduction of the three-electrode arc, which again reduces noise considerably and cuts down electricity consumption. High power arcs are being built in this country with a light output which was altogether undreamed of in the years before the war. The cameraman's difficulty of avoiding multiple shadows in what are supposed to be sunlight shots is now a thing of the past ; he has at his disposal arcs of such power that all his general lighting is easily overcome to give that one single shadow. Lenses for studio lamps now leave little to be desired in evenness of illumination and concentration of beam without spill light. Much is being done by individual studios in designing and constructing camera accessories such as cranes and velocilators, trucks and other accessories. The science of electronics is playing a big part in all these designs, and knowledge gathered during the war is being widely incorporated. ■* Independent Frame " A new form of production technique has been introduced which for want of a better title has been called " Independent Frame." It is a method of making pictures in which it is absolutely essential that a great deal of time be given to script preparation, at all times desirable. Back projection, both moving and static, plays an important part, and it was necessary to design and plan completely all new types of projectors for the static as well as the moving plate. High and even illumination is necessary, and many problems had to be overcome. Our engineers and designers were able to provide the necessary equipment. Special movable rostrums were planned so that complete sets could be moved in front of the scene. Mobile screen holders and mobile spot rails were to be used so that complete spots could be moved by one man. Time was the element that had to be defeated. A picture has been made by this method. I saw the rushes and I could not distinguish at any time static back projection from the real set. Only in moving back projection could one detect the. build up of grain particles moving around. In one scene, an artist moved back from the camera and picked up a chair which was standing with a table and three other chairs ; actually the table and other three chairs were in the projected background, but it was impossible to detect this fact. This means that a still photographer can be sent to any point with his equipment. Using static plates it is possible to dispense with an enormous amount of building. This is quite an advance on anything that was done before, and it has been made possible solely by the design of new mechanical equipment. Laboratory Improvements The Newall Engineering Co. are manufacturing the Bell & Howell Model "E" fully automatic printer. In this printer one negative is loaded up and runs backwards and forwards, and all that is needed is to load positive