British Kinematography (1953)

Vol. 23, No. 1 THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS Baynham Honri, F.R.P.S. F.R.S.A. (Fellow)* Read at the Fourth Convention of The British Kinematograph Society on May 9, 1953. TRADITIONALLY, the Presidential address of a technical society is a survey of progress made during the previous year, with prophesies o{ development to come. This survey may cover one particular division of a Society's work, the whole field of its activities or the broader problems of the art or craft concerned. Past Presidents of The British Kinematograph Society have almost invariably followed this tradition, but the excellent Review of Technical Developments during 1952, published in the February issue of our Journal has forestalled me in dealing with many of the advances which have taken place. Moreover, prophesies of things to come might be taken as prejudging the conclusions to be reached by Committees of this Society upon possible changes of technique in our craft — 3-D, wide screen and the like. As to the broader problems, these are debated to such an extent, from their own particular angles, by each of the sectional interests in our industry that the trade papers have to make truncated reports of the spate of oratory. On the other hand, the mission of this society is to promote the exchange of knowledge for the technical improvement of all branches of our industry. But we must remember that our efforts are largely — though not whollydevoted to an entertainment medium of storytelling, and our policies must be guided to a large extern by the directors, producers and writers who make the films and the exhibitors, the retailers, who present them to the public. A suggestion was made recently that the exhibitor interests should be barred from the important Cinematograph Films Council. In other words, that the retail interests in the sale of consumer goods should be deprived of a voice in the industry's joint councils. Such a suggestion is, of course, absurd. I feel that the Cinematograph Films Council should have the widest possible representation within the industry, and for this reason put forward the counter suggestion that it should be expanded to include a representative of The British Kinematograph Society. There are many precedents for non-political craftsmen having an opportunity of expressing their views. The Railway Gauge Commission, convened by the Board of Trade in 1846, included representatives of learned bodies in addition to various interested parties. Their recommendation was a standard guage of 4ft. 8^ins. to supersede the multiplicity of tracks from 2 feel to 7 feet which threatened to retard the interchange of traffic — just as the multiplicity of 3-D and panoramic standards seems to threaten us now. This Society is setting up a number of Committees to examine dispassionately all aspects of this problem, and it is hoped to plant technological seeds which, with good-will from all trade interests, will yield a harvest for the benefit of all — including the customers who pay the money at the box office. As you know, I am concerned with the production side and 1 feel sure you would not wish me to add one more dismal summing-up of the almost insoluble problems which confront British Studios. The P.E.P. Report on the British Film Industry1 and many other excellent surveys have set out the financial and economic problems clearly and plainly. On the other hand, our purpose here is to maintain technical progress and to spread knowledge of new techniques of production and presentation of films. This is also the main objective of the very active Film Production Division of this Society. The Film Production Division has a fairly large membership, yet it is a matter of regret that even more studio technicians do not apply to become members. Film production personnel are hard-working folk and every day's shooting has its special problems. It is * Ealing Studios Ltd.