The Cine Technician (1939)

18 THE CINE T E CHNI C T A N April-May, [937 in the neglect of common responsibilities, in increasing apathy and a generally disheartened attitude. Let us be frank. The responsibility of organisation rests primarily upon the General Council, the highest executive committee of the Association. At this moment of self-searching it is necessary to admit that in the past the responsibility of maintaining the strict observance of the rules has not always been adequately shouldered. But to-day the General Council is fully alive to its responsibility, and the rules that govern our internal organisation, as amended and improved upon from time to time, henceforward will be rigidly observed. These questions should now be engaging the attention of every member. What is your viewpoint ? Much more important, how are you expressing it ? Let us hear your voice, and your committee's voice, at the next General Meeting. This brings us to the question of our essential local studio or other committees. The prime importance of these basic committees cannot be overstressed . They are relatively much more important than the General Council, for unless this body is supported upon a solid basis of functioning representative committees, then it becomes a junta divorced from the membership. However difficult it may appear in a few special cases to set up efficient representative studio committees, the problem must be tackled and overcome. How can any section of our membership take the Association seriously if they find themselves isolated and unrepresented in their own studio, for the lack of an efficient committee and regular personal contact with headquarters ? Then let us agree that the formation or strengthening of our local committees is our really urgent necessity. Our immediate aim must be no less than this — in every studio, in every laboratory and newsreel unit, a strong, correctly functioning committee. What is a correctly functioning committee ? Naturally we must be flexible enough to adapt ourselves to local conditions, but the following essentials should, I think be observed : — Firstly, correct balance. Every department should be represented. Then the committee can speak with the voice of the entire membership. Then meetings should be held regularly. They should be brief and to the point. Watch this carefullv. A degeneration to rambling studio conferences marks the beginning of the end of efficient committee work. It follows that a definite agenda should be adopted. It should always include such important points as local departmental problems and the recruitment of backward members. Regular reports back from the higher committees should be taken. And, therefore, another essential is the regular delegation of at least one representative to the weekly General Council meetings. Simple points, all these, and obvious ones, surely ! In their practical realisation, however, we naturally encounter little difficulties and obstructions. If we can agree that our self-criticisms were justified, if we can appreciate the real need for a little more selfdiscipline and co-operative effort, if we can shoulder our increased responsibilities in the period that immediately opens before us, then we can laugh at all difficulties. And all the quicker can we step through that door that leads to all the things that we believe in, and that we are banded together to achieve. NEW EQUIPMENT We print below illustrations of photographic (stills) and of the apparatus. The other is a Western Electric Mixer sound equipment which have come to hand from the Wagon showing "QB" recording channel. G.E.C. and Western Electric, respectively. One illustrates typical G.E.C. Photographic Studio Lighting Equipment t shewing easily portable distribution box for safe handling