The Cine Technician (1943 - 1945)

32 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN March— April, 1945 and to realise what charming blokes they are. I lunch one day with Mr. Aller and Mr. Smith, the representatives of the picture and sound sections <if the Unions. Naturally I broached the subject of the proposed reciprocal arrangement so often discussed by A.C.T. The impression I go1 was i hat individually everybody in the American film industry thought that a mutual interchange of technicians was a wonderful idea, but that for some reason collectively they were against it. The technicians wanted to see Britain and to hear British views as much as we over here want to s i p ■ • i < 1 some months in Hollywood. But I think that it is going to be a pretty tough fight to achieve such a happy state. I finished up by asking Mr. Smith what grounds the I.A.T.S.E. had for interpreting the first initial as "International." That was just about the only question which Hollvwood could not answer! What's wrong with B.P.? by Alfred Davis Chief Projectionist, G.B. — Gainsborough Studios The recent request for a meeting of specialist B.P. projectionists is definitely a step in the right direction for the ironing out of technical problems by common discussion and co-operation, and one on which Charlie Staffel is to be congratulated. Arising out of the inaugural meeting (I hope tln-re will be more) it does seem that B.P. is, in some cases, a very sketchy affair, through no fault of the B.P. projectionists concerned. Such things as non-co-operation, the old pastime of "passing the buck," the intense dislike of 15. P. in certain quarters, etc., these points and lots more reared their ugly heads to such ungainly heights that perhaps certain elementary organisational and technical fundamentals require urgent attention, particularly in the whole approach to B.P. by the " higher ups." In this respect, it is furl una te [or me that at ( iainsborough these points have been long appreciated, together with the importance of B.P. in the whole production set up and costing schedule; the ultimate has not yet In i ii reached of course, but to this end please allow me to give a few constructive points which have received hearty endorsement when introduced on my job. In the first instance, control of B.P. and Stereoscopic Backgrounds was placed in the hands of projection with the help of the over-lapping departments concerned — the final arbiter being the Production Chief, .Maurice Ostrer. As a result. any decision reached (via script or however) that H.]\ is required is immediately in the hands -of projection — the wheels can now turn. Contact is made, with time to spare, with the Production, Camera. Sound. Editorial. Art. Special Effects. Model and Construction Departments, Print, Slide and Effect densities are checked, and the types of shot required carefully gone over. The co-operative received and given is conducive to the production of first class B.P. and far from the projectionist being looked upon as a nonentity. or at best, a necessary evil, his deep knowledge of screen brightness, optics, densities and projection problems in general is fully appreciated and given rein — so much so that B.P. (and I mean effective B.P.) is used extensively at Gainsborough to the advantage of the costing schedule. With war-time restrictions on plant and material, improvements are not easy but every opportunity is given for research and experiment so that, whilst sweeping improvements like triple-head are not yet contemplated, many minor improvements have been and are being made. It would therefore seem that B.P. projectionists at some studios are not getting a square deal if they are not being allowed lo work as 1 am. As a result of this, the industry itself is ultimately the sufferer for it is no pleasure to a British technician to see bad B.P. in any British production. So far from the move in certain quarters to laud the foreign element let the B.F.P.A. be British enough to give British technicians a chance — don't employ them and ignore them, that's bad business. The question of rate and conditions for B.P. is also a thorny one that the B.F.P.A. might further consider when they have someone who knows what he's talking about on this side. Meanwhile here's to better and bigger British B.P. BENEVOLENT FUND DANCE On the Saturday evening (April 21st) of the Annual Meeting Week-end a Dance has been organised from 7 p.m. to 1 1 p.m. with Van Phillips and his Band. Royal Hotel, Upper Woburn Place. W.C.I. Fully licensed. Tickets 3 6d. each from A.C.T. Shop Stewards or 1 lead Office, 2. Soho Square, W.I.