The Cine Technician (1935-1937)

152 The Journal of the Association of CineTechnicians Feb. -March, 1937 Lab Topics Another Year A year with a promising outlook for us all. I'm no prophet, but everything points to the Lab section growing in numbers and strength as each week passes. Why not 100% by the end of the year ? We can be, if every member does his utmost to enrol non-members. Tell them what we've done, and what we intend to do. The toughest of them will be impressed. Looking Back It is just over a year since the Lab section was formed. During tliat period members have benefited as follows : — Employment Bureau Every man and woman WHO HAS LOST THEIR JOB and registered with the Bureau has been found employment. This service, which is without cost to them, they could not have recei\cd in any other way. Educational Lectures and Film Shows on the wide range of technical subjects have been available for laboratory employees. Members who have attended such will testify to the high standard of instruction and entertainment given. The Technical Research Committee publishes a monthly abstract of information from film journals throughout the world of interest and value to members. In future, this abstract is to be incorporated in the Journal. A library of the latest technical books deahng with the film industry is available at head office. GRAND bership at present, become stronger, the agreement will be presented to them also. Jeopardizing The Production Here is an incident which occurred recently, and I am quoting it because similar things happen all too frequently. A production costing somewhere in the region of /30,000 was rushed through the cutting rooms and laboratories within a week. During this time the negati\-e was cut three times and most of the sound track re-recorded twice. A preview and trade-show were also given. The result was that the cutting and laboratory staff were run off their feet, and physically incapable of turning out their best work. This habit of rushing a picture through its final stages is utterly wrong. Much time and thought is given to the initial stages of the production, and thousands of pounds are spent while the picture is on the floor, and then the whole value of the picture is jeopardized bv trying to turn out in a week what should normall}' take at least three weeks ! Crazv, isn't it ? CARNIVAL DANCE (Organised by A.C.T. Laboratory Sedtion) IMPERIAL HOTEL Russell Square, W.C.I FRIDAY, February 26fh, 1937 7.30 p.m. to midnight. WC FlLhAER AND HIS PATHE STUDIO ORCHESTRA Single Tickets, 2 Double Tickets, 3/6 ALL LABORATORY WORKERS INVITED Social Laboratory workers must get to know each other better. Meetings in town have drawn them together more, as well as the Film Shows and Lectures. A glance at the centre of the page will show that a further mox^c is being made in tliis direction. Worl(ing Conditions Months of patient work has l)een put in 1)\ all members in drawing up a standard agreement to cover rates of pay and conditions of employment. This agreement has already been presented as a basis of negotiation to a number of laboratories, about which an article will be found elsewhere. As those laboratories which have minority mem The Modern Laboratory It is a recognised fact that the firm with the most modern machinery, operated b}' skilled labour, will leave its competitors far behind. Se\'eral laboratory managers who have been putting the matter of new machinery on one side for some time now might take a hint. Precision work cannot be produced on worn-out printing and developing machines. On the other hand, it is stupid and suicidal to attempt to operate precision machinery with unskilled juvenile labour. Dirt is the biggest bugbear on the processing side, and all the care possible to avoid it should be exercised. Any modern film laboratory should have an air conditioning plant also. Cleaning of the building sliould lie carried out on lines similar to those in operation at Kodak's Harrow Works. Tiled walls, too, lielp to keep dirt under control. Tailpiece To All Of You— Come to the Dance and bring along as many non-member lab workers as you can. It's bountl to be a success, and the more that enjoy it the better. Well. I'll be -seeing yon there. Cheerio ! Gamma