Business Screen Magazine (1965-1966)

Librurian SuperNisor Mrs. Ira Hurst lofis cdiiA of (Irvrlapcil film from liitildi\\<i One at MSC, Average receipts for each day total 6,()()() fret of 16mni color film. Ori<iinal iicfiativc and prints are in identification stage here in the Cataloging and ^^atchillg Unit, .\ftcr papencork is complete, tlw film will he matched framc-lnj-framc, I dill -cihI) il and the Sccik IJst is pnparcd. Film lec'liiiic'ian re-stts i-djic iiiimln'riiii; iiiac'liiiic after a new roll of film is threaded. Original film and all prints from the original are giceu ■same edge code. Specially fabricated nundwring 7nachines place up to seven identifying numbers on the edge of \iimm film. Two of three machines are in continual use: third is for back-up use. Aflcr ('(l^c'-iiiiinlicriiiu, a ti ■ I tiician prepares the Scene ImI by ticu ing the st eening print. l'.a<h scene is described briefly, slai.ng footage nuinher is given plus ending nundie, on each .iceiw. Camera angles .such as "medium .il. 'I," "close-up" arc also noted. Material is recordt < I (m office dictiiling equipnu'nt to hi' tran.tf erred Inj typist to a ditto master with a litho master o^ carbon. MODEL FILM LIBRARY SYSTEM (loiilrol of \ iiliialdf Fo<>tay;« al NASA's Maiiiu-d Spac-c<Tafl r«'iil«T in l|(gi„ ll<-l|>> I'ilin K<lilor.«. lo yiii«-kl_\ Locate Framr •".\f«'<ll«-s" in l'r<»v»Tl)ial llaiifi SOM MI uiifRi; IN A Fir.K of more than 3.()()(),()()() feet of original color motion picture lilm is a scene that lasts only a few seconds. W ithout it a documentary motion picture being produced will be neither accurate nor complete. The requirement — retrieve that scene as quickly and economically as possible. To film editors at the Stock Film Library. NASA Manned Spacecraft Center (MSC"). Houston. Texas, finding specific scenes such as the one described is a daily routine. The problem at MSC varies not so much in character as in scope from that of any t)ther organization faced with the need to file motion picture film so it can be made available for use at any future date. Controls Footage But Keeps Free Access MSC has solved the problem with a filing system which positively controls all film while providing editors with complete "freedom of access" to film rolls on file. The system is flexible enough to "bend" with the situation when emergency requirements forego normal filing routine — such as during the time of a manned space mission. And it is so effective that film editors at MSC have met deadlines as short as 24-hours for a scripted movie. Involved is all the motion picture film used in the activities of MSC's Public Affairs Office (PAO). the public relations branch responsible lor handling press contacts throughout the world. This film is used to meet the worldwide requests from television news, schools, movie producers, civic organizations and in fact, anyone interested in informing people about this country's space effort. From this vast file, MSC produces numerous finished films. All Minis Have Historical Significance Actually operating this gigantic filing system is a government contractor, the A-V C\irporation. Houston, whose pb it is to absorb better ihan 6.000 feet of 16mm film daily. They identify, catalogue, store and stanii-reativ to locate liny bits or all of the film upon request, Funneled into the system are varying lengths of film picturing everything from complete Gemini launches to hometown parades honoring astronauts. Not only does the subjecl matter of the film vary, but fluctuations in the amount of film received help demonstrate the flexibility of the filing system, F")uring the (ieniini flights, as an examiile. film footage received at MSC jumps lo about y.OOO feet per day, "My office could easily be mistaken for the lilm library during actual flighl periods." says Mrs. Ira Jane Hurst, librarian supervisor of A-V's Cataloguing and Matching Unit. "Cans of film are pileil desk-high, Il kee|is us hojiping," 95% on "Kastnian Kklaclironie Coniniercial" Of all in-coming material, approximately 'i?' per cent is on l-astman Kodak l£klachromc Commercial lilm, a low-contrast original from ^.vhich coll Jjtives are n^ >kir release prints or color ]tnn made. "Probably the most important ih jmember about any film filing sy^. William W. Robbins. vice-president duction manager. A-V Corporation will be using the system. It must be t„ ic^ those people. At MSC. an editor-wrikit» the primary user of the film, Thc\ desired scenes in written files, and K have access to screening prints in ti the team can view the actual foot,: minimum of paper work and restricti' Immediate utilization of new su' made possible with a Film Received sued daily to all producers, editors a: It lists the file roll number, source ;•, subject of each piece of film recei' the day. Using the report, an editor i a work print to be made of urgently n before the permanent library roll r, shelf. If this is done, the work pri: numbered using the editor's identi; number — by-passing all other o\\ is then given immediately to the editor. Aside from the overall size of if S operation. Robbins feels that the Fa I ceived report is probably the most ii"" of the system. Ne« Ruil(liiit> Uill C'entrali/e .Aiin Activities o\ the library are in MS( ing complex of white buildings souti ton and also at Ellington Air Fori. few miles away. Still underway is .: :. program that is intended to e\cnlua o tralize all MSC" activities in this new labi Initial receipt of all film is at a an loom or ■"vault"' in Building One at the ■ Spacecraft Center. There exposed ai f undeveloped film is logged in and a cihb ber is painted on the 16mm can be' '^ sent to the Photographic TechnoloL tory. It is developed in the laboralor screening print is made that will laid its way to the Stock Film Library shel| optical master is made at the same is needed to be "cut into"" a producti| copies of a film bear the same nuniK-r .f to the original roll from which they wcrc|i Occasii>nally pre-de\eloped film is i MSC lo be included in llie files, Ho\u'f» bulk 1)1 motion picture film from coni* NASA photographers and other goM« sources is developed at the Center undilll carefully inspected i|ualil\ slandards, .Sen) to ("alaliiguiiit: and MalchinE '" •After development all prints and '''^ inal film are forwarded by messeni C"alaloguing and Malching Lnit at "We act as niiddle-man" belwceii operations and the editors," says M' "When film arrives it is entered on sheet, on the lilm Rcceiveil repori il is handed o\er lo our film leehnici A-V film technicians perform an (CONTINUED ON THE FOLLOWING I atel 'a 42 BUSINESS S(|6