Cinematographic annual : 1931 (1931)

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10 CINEMATOGRAPHIC ANNUAL While the craze for color, which swept the industry for a time, was comparatively short-lived, it likewise was beneficial to the art of the cameraman. Due to the above-mentioned craze, color photography has been greatly improved and appreciably advanced. It is doubtful if this would have taken place had the demand for natural color pictures not been so pronounced. The result is that today more and better color processes are available than ever before; and the cameramen are more adept in the art of color photography. Another craze that, for a time, threatened to overturn the industry has also died out — but not until it had focused attention in certain directions that were helpful to the cause of photography. That is wide film. The wide film experiments brought to the front the fact that the industry needed a standardization of projection apertures and forms. The heart of every scene is good composition, but when the photographer was compelled to compose each scene for three apertures of different sizes and shapes he was facing a problem that was next to impossible. Some degree of improvement has resulted, and greater improvement may be expected in the near future. This, thanks to the wide film flurry. Perhaps the greatest forward step taken in behalf of good photography was the development of the new "fast" film. This new film is characterized by a vastly greater sensitivity which makes possible much improvement, both artistically and technically. Less light is now used on the sets which makes for economy; and the colorsensitivity is such that pictures made with it are far more naturallooking than before. Lighting equipment manufacturers have been keeping step with the film makers and are endeavoring to produce lighter and more efficient equipment. This matter will be given much more attention during the coming year, and vast improvements in this equipment field should result. Laboratory engineers have also been keeping abreast of the times and better results are obtainable. If the laboratories producing the release prints will give a little more care to the product turned out there will be a still greater improvement seen when the motion pictures reach the screen. Thus, it is apparent that cinematographic progress has been made in the last twelve months. This is encouraging, for when the photographers and the directors — upon whom, after all, the responsibility for the success or failure of each picture rests — when these men stagnate; when they cease to progress, then will the industry as a whole fall backwards. As long as they can go forward, cooperating to make each picture the best of its kind, then neither depression nor panics can permanently impede the progress of the motion picture industry. Upon the perfection of the product rests the whole structure of any enterprise; and in motion pictures this perfection depends upon the alertness, ability and cooperation of the photographer and director. It is with this above thought in mind that the American Society of Cinematographers publishes the Cinematographic Annual, of which this is the second volume. The cameramen of this organization wish to do all in their power to further the cause of the making of good motion pictures. The society feels that by the publishing