The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

28 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN February, 1954 A.C.T. NOTES AND NEWS Compiled by "Middy" THE PRODUCTION MANAGERS: This section is adopting a policy that in future no A.C.T. member is to be employed by their members unless the member concerned is registered on the A.C.T. Employment Bureau. This, of course, means that cards must be fully paid up, as under rule registration cannot be accepted unless the member is in order regarding subscriptions. Again it may be noted that should unemployed members fail to register then it can be assumed they are working and, therefore, subscriptions are payable in full. UNEMPLOYMENT: The general position in the industry has not improved since the last issue of the Journal. Head Office would again like to emphasise to all unemployed members that if they are not going direct to another job, they should register their National Insurance card with the local Ministry of Labour. This is necessary because if it is not done, members will lose all benefits and in any event will receive at the end of the year an arrears notice claiming payment in full for all stamps missing from the card. If your card is registered the Ministry of Labour will automatically frank each week of unemployment. Whilst Head Office are always happy to take up cases of hardship it must be emphasised that the Ministry of Labour are not so sympathetic as they used to be. FOREIGN LOCATION INSURANCE: Arising from discussions it has emerged that the Lloyds K.3 and K.5 policies, which are the normal form of insurance under the A.C.T. Agreements, do not provide for payment of a capital sum in respect of death from sickness. It was obviously the intention that such provision should be made and approaches have been made to the various Employers' Organisations and to Employers outside these organisations asking them to clarify the position, so that in addition to the normal Lloyds K.3 or K.5 cover, additional cover should be taken out in respect of death from sickness. Sickness, of course, is covered, but death from sickness is not, so members going on location should make sure that full and appropriate insurance is taken out to cover this possibility. SOUND SECTION: Members of this section will bo sorry to hear that Dicky Bird has had to return from Israel and is at present waiting to enter a sanatorium. I am sure he would be pleased to hear from any of his chums and letters can be forwarded to 112 Adelphi Crescent, Hayes, Middlesex. I. H. Shahzad, who some will remember as a Pakistan subject over in this country training on sound, is now in the Hammersmith Hospital, where he has undergone an operation. This has prevented his return to his own country and Head Office Officials have visited him to make sure that his needs are adequately covered. The Sound Section propose to hold a Summoned Meeting of all its members at the Hammer Theatre, 7.30 p.m., Wednesday, 3rd March. SHORTS AND DOCUMENTARY: All our members employed in this section of the industry will be pleased to note that we shall be shortly reopening negotiations with the A.S.F.P. regarding a revision of the Agreement. Although this question has been hanging around for some time it is sincerely hoped that progress can now be made. The usual three-monthly film show was held at the C.O.I. Theatre. The films screened were : West Country Journey, made by British Transport Films; Opus 65, made by Wallace Productions; and Pmcered Flight, made by Shell Film Unit. These shows are much appreciated by our members as they are a good means of keeping them in touch with the work of their fellow technicians. SOME OLD CAMERAS: One of our members tells me that whilst on holiday in Yarmouth he saw four old Williamson cameras in use on the Yarmouth promenade snapping visitors. They wore working on " one turn, one frame," and using stops from " f 11 " to " f 5.6 ", at a constant focus setting of 6 feet. A form of clapper board was introduced now and then, with a serial number to identify the frames. Whilst mentioning the use of old equipment I came across another interesting fact that the