The Cine Technician (1935-1937)

Aug-. -Oct., 1936 The Journal of the Association of Cine-Technicians 39 And Still They Come Readers will remember that a deputation from the Association was received by the Ministry of Labour on March 1 9th, as was reported in the last issue of the Journal. That deputation outlined the Association's attitude to foreign technicians, as one of non-opposition to the admission of genuine "aces," pro\'idecl that they did not deprive British technicians of employment or work under less favourable conditions and salaries, and that their crews were entirely British. The deputation also stressed the importance of training and promoting promising younger technicians. During a long discussion the Ministry declared that the employment of foreign technicians in the industry was being reviewed. The deputation said they would be glad to approach the Ministry again in six months' time, after experience of any changes that had been made. Sinpe then the General Council has been conscious of a growing expression of dissatisfaction among members, in consequence of which it asked the Ministry to receive the second deputation earlier than had been suggested. This was agreed and the meeting took place on Wednesday, July 15th, with the Association again represented by Sidney Cole, Desmond Dickinson, Alan Lawson and George Elvin. There follows a summary of the memorandum jjresented. Summary of Memorandum. (1) The Association is pleased to record the courtesy extended to it by the Ministry when representations are made against the employment of particular foreigners. We feel that the information we have been able to give the Ministry on such occasions, which have been more frequent than in the past, has been of assistance to them in making their decisions. While certain applications have not been granted, the Association is of the opinion that the labour position as a whole has not improved since the previous deputation. There are more foreign technicians in the British film industry to-day than at any previous time. During the past few months unemployment amongst British technicians has been very heavy, and at one period in May 150 were unemployed. Increased production during the past month has absorbed some of these, but there are still competent British technician'^ a\'ailable in all departments. There is a strong growing feeling amongst British technicians that the question of the importation of Foreign Technicians is one of the most serious they have to consider in their professional lives. They see more and more avenues of future advancement closing to them as a result of the granting of so many permits. ('2i A.C.T. sees no reason at all why Foreign Technicians who are other than first-class be employed in the British Film Industry on any conditions whatsoever. Examples were (piotcd ol permits being granted to lorcigners to work in junior positions. The deputation were told that enquiries would be made, but that considerations other than those of employment had to be given weight in deciding the granting of such permits. (3) Undue emphasis given to the sometimes high salaries of Foreign Technicians. It was suggested tliat 1// Uiist 4()''^j "_/ iiuy such salary shoidd be discounted in making any comparison with native technicians. The foreign technician would tend to demand a higher salary than he received in his own country because he would take into account the general risks of transference, and the differences of Income Tax and cost of living. (4) Attention was drawn to a particular studio, used bv a number of companies, where not a single key position is held by a British technician, except in sound. The names of eleven foreign lighting cameramen employed there were quoted. At the time some of these were applying for permits the names of several first-class British cameramen who were available were supplied to the studio. I'lUt despite ajiparent prospects, not one British cameraman has been employed. While A.C.T. welcomed the occasional genuine "ace," it felt strongly that an excess even of good foreign technicians is bad where it results in (a) the unemployment of proved British technicians, and {b) stifles the advancement of the most promising juniors, upon whom the future of the British film industr\ technically depends. It is proportion that is lacking. The deputation expres^cil its roiuii tion tli.it there was no justification whatever for the admission of any further Foreign technicians (a) to this particular Studio, and {h\ to any other Company or Studio while the present position at that studio continued. In short, A.( . T. wa> ol thf oiijnion tli.it even bearing in mind the possible good rial loreign "aces" might do the British film industry, saturation point had been reached. The position at this studio had led many of our members to enquire whether it received preferential treatment in the matter of labour permits. To this suggestion the Ministry gave a categorical denial. (5) Attention was drawn to the case, at the same studio, of an entire camera unit, from lighting expert to clapper-boy, being foreign. The .Ministry promised investigation. .A.C.T. re-asserted, in this connection, the principle of the entire British creiv, and suggested that a training clause should invariably be insisted upon even in short-term permits. It also emphasised the paramount importance of the promotion of promising juniors. There are, for example, several camera-operati\-es who have had some experience as lighting cameramen, and who could perform this work satisfactorily if they were given the opportunity. In other industries, when a particular craftsman is not available, it generally happens that the next best available craftsman in the country is employed. This policy, however, is not generally followed in the film industry owing to the pre\-alent importation of foreign technicians, and while this is so the opportunity for British technicians to be employed on the most important productions becomes increasingly rare. Two or three times recently the Association has been asked by members to check up on certain foreign technicians whose names, upon enquiry, have proved to be unknown to the authorities. Unless our members' information is at fault, this means that such persons are em {Continued on page 41)