The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

50 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN March-April, 1953 overtime. There also seemed to be little notice taken of the fact that the editing of a picture is inherently an individual job and the time taken must of necessity vary with the type of story, quite apart from its length. The position is frequently aggravated by the practice of executive members of the production company wanting to run the picture at a moment's notice, involving much unnecessary joining and breaking down. It was obvious that if the editorial staff refused individually to work overtime they would be putting themselves in an extremely invidious position, so the Committee resolved that in future all overtime requirements in the cutting rooms should be referred to the Studio Shop Steward in the same way as other overtime requests, and the decision to grant or refuse such overtime would be made on the merits of each case after consultation with the Editorial Staff concerned. About the beginning of April it was brought to the notice of the Committee that Douglas Fairbanks was starting production on films for exhibition on the American television networks, and that he was working at Worton Hall Studio with a light crew. This was rapidly put right by the Organiser, and a full crew was engaged. Some weeks later a certain amount of " inside information " was made available to the Committee to the effect that the Fairhanks Production Company were proposing to rent British National Studios to make a series of 39 films for television. The information was of such a nature as to lead the Committee to recommend that all future films produced for television should be made under the Feature Agreement of 1947. This recommendation was approved, and has now become the official policy of A.C.T. In all, during 1952, the Feature Branch Committee met on twelve occasions — although two of these meetings had to be abandoned as a quorum was not present. Representation from some Studios was frequently very much below normal, and in some cases lacking altogether. Those members who have attended all the meetings possible feel very strongly that representatives from all Studios should make every effort to attend or to appoint substitutes who are fully briefed on any questions or incidents that have arisen at their particular Studio. It is only in this way that any necessary decisions and subsequent action can be taken in time for it to be effective in protecting the interests of all the Feature Branch members. FOREIGN LOCATION: One of the major studios put into dispute the question of out-of-pocket expenses for a Unit proceeding to East Africa. The Company wished to pay the sum of £2 10s. per week. This was taken to the B.F.P.A. under the J.I.C. Constitution and the J.I.C. advised the Company to raise this figure to the standard B.F.P.A. Agreement, i.e., five guineas per week. TELEVISION FILMS: We cannot impress on our members the importance on this type of film being made under the B.F.P.A. Agreement. Whilst in most eases we are able to contact the Companies concerned who are producing them, we also hear of one pilot film being made by a Company who were on the floor for approximately one week and have not carried out the terms of the B.F.P.A. Agree ment. Once more we ask members to immediately inform us of any offers of employment from such Companies, and to keep Head Office in touch as to where such films an1 being produced. EADY SCHEME: A comprehensive and very readable survey of the Eady Scheme has been written by Anthony S. Gruner of the Daily Film Renter. The future of the Eady Scheme is at present in doubt. Its importance to British films and film makers is unquestionable. Those who want to know what the Eady Scheme is are strongly urged to buy and read this complete and absorbing survey. The survey has been republished and copies can be obtained from the Daily Film Rent* I . Film House, Wardour Street, W.l. C. and P. SECTION: The Windsor Hotel, Vauxhall Bridge Road, was the sceno of a very gay night when this Section recently threw its annual party with their customary efficiency; each table was decorated with flowers and a running buffet was laid on for all those attending. Amongst the guests were the President, Anthony Asquith, and film stars, Elizabeth Allen and Jack Hawkins. BREVITIES: Members who are unemployed are informed that the Employment Officer can now be seen at Head Office every Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. . . . A.C.T. are associating themselves with the various Bodies who are protesting against proposed increases in fares. Members who have evidence where the proposed increases will have a detrimental effect, should supply such information to Head Office as soon as possible. TECHNICAL LECTURE: The Technical Committee have been fortunate in obtaining Norman Collins and a panel of his associates to give a lecture on " The Technique of Production and Direction of High Definition Films " on Wednesday, 18th March, at the G.B. Theatre, Wardour Street, W.l. at 7.15 p.m. It is hoped that Norman Collins will have test films shot by this system to show. As this is a new technique, it is hoped that as many members as possible will come along to this lecture. A.C.T. FILMS: It is with pardonable pride that we are able to report on this venture. There were misgivings when the General Council, in 1950, decided to launch this project. Since its inception the Company have kept in constant production, having made two First Features and several Second Features. During that period, apart from members of other tiade unions employed on these productions, approximately 300 A.C.T. members, involving a wage bill of £46,000, have been found employment. This is something that no other trade union in the country has done for its members and perhaps it may encourage other Unions within the industry to "take similar steps. There is certainly always room for criticism and constructive criticism is welcomed, but this should be the complete answer to those of our members who, at times, raised tin query, " What is A.C.T. doing?" WESTMINSTER BRANCH: The Branch sent in the following resolution to the Westminster Trades Council, which was considered at its January meeting: That this Trades Conned, believing that tin dollar drain oj importing Ami nam films must In substantially reduced in an overall National Interest, anil thai all-British films can hi mail' t<> till tin aav caused thereby, urges th< Government: , i I,, reduct tin dollar expenditun <>n American films; ini to expand tin British Film production i, i, Inst i n tn its mil stn naih without reducing quality;