Broadcasting Telecasting (Jan-Mar 1954)

LET'S KEEP IT CLEAN Increasing use of film has not been an unmixed blessing for film distributors. One trouble has been that with new customers entering the field, film handling has not al\ ways been expert. Here Warren Van Home, iof CBS-Television film service operations, J suggests ways to keep film clean and free \from damage. j STORY content and production standards ;j of tv film shows have risen considerably j in the last few years. But with new and inexperienced stations mushrooming throughj out the nation, the physical condition of the average print has greatly fallen behind. Many a viewer might prefer a well-polished film production to a live show, but all agree ' that nothing is more annoying to the home audience than a good show spoiled by dirt and film scratches. To often, prints that have run no more than once or twice, are returned to our office scratched and dirty beyond repair. A lot of money is being wasted in supplying new prints to stations, money which otherwise could be spent on new and better productions. In trying to find the root of this dilemma, I asked a veteran projectionist of one of the major New York theatres what his answer and advice would be. Here is his five-point program: 1. Keep projection booth meticulously clean. 2. Ground all equipment to prevent static from drawing dirt onto film. 3. After each show examine projector carefully for caked emulsion and dirt deposits. One small particle of emulsion caught in the pressure gate might be the cause for many a ruined print. 4. Check machines periodically for burrs, worn sprocket teeth and locked idlers. 5. Report any damage of the film to the distributor. Handle With Care We cannot stress enough how important it is that film be handled as little as possible and by trained film personnel only, particularly under the prevailing custom of splicing commercials, station identifications, trailers, etc., into each film show. Cutting tables must be kept clean at all times. An effective and inexpensive gadget, which assures a cleaner and more enjoyable show, is used by most laboratory technicians. Anyone can make it. All it requires is' a piece of black velvet or velveteen 7 by 12 inches. This is folded to make a cushion approximately 4 by 7 inches; the sides are then sewn together. After the film has been inspected and commercials have been inserted, the film should be slid through this pad twice. Very little pressure is necessary. The reward will be far greater than the time spent. Film distributors carefully examine and clean prints before they are sent out to stations. This service cannot be rendered to best advantage unless the stations adopt the same professional standards in handling film which are practiced throughout the industry. land M TV CHAMPION vvith a ready-made audience of . . . 70 MILLION FOLLOWERS • HAM FISHER'S beloved ALL AMERICAN CHAMP . . . now brings the impact of his unparalleled influence and public acceptance to Television . . . high adventure, romance, humor, boxing ... in a superb Hollywood production with an ALL-STAR CAST, including Joe Kirkwood, Cathy Downs, Sid Tomack and Maxie Rosenbloom. • JOE PALOOKA, dramatic half hour series, is your best guarantee of maximum audience . . . maximum results. GREAT NEW SHOWS Mm FOR LOCAL AND REGIONAL SPONSORSHIP PLUS . . . Comprehensive Promotion, Exploitation and Merchandising Aids frcttM-' Human! love-aMef Life with a-' ■fe Elizabeth LIFE WITH ELIZABETH is 30 minutes of the gayest, funniest and most heart-warming comedy to capture the hearts of television audiences . . . starring TV Academy Award winner, Betty White, voted "Queen of Hollywood television" and featuring irrepressible' Del Moore ..tested and proved successful on the West Coast . . . now available on film . . . your opportunity for greater sales ... 39 episodes — half -hour weekly — sponsor's commercials cued without impairing or interrupting the show! C O At PA A/ y /A/C 420 MADISON AVE., NEW YORK 17, N. Y. MUrray Hill 8-5365 '^^^^^ HOLLYWOOD PORTLAND KANSAS CITY CHICAGO CLEVELAND IN CANADA S.W. CALDWELL LTD. TORONTO Broadcasting • Telecasting January 11, 1954 • Page 89