The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

126 THE CINE-TECHNICIAN June 1954 " The hungry sheep look up and are not fed." Mr. Peter Thorneycroft, President of the Board of Trade, addressed A.C.T.'s 21st Annual Meeting. He had no new proposals to make; instead, he told the meeting, "I propose to face the facts of the problem with you." " T LIKE British films," said Mr. Thorneycroft. " I believe that they -* can stand up to all-comers. I could recite a long list of titles of films of world-wide reputation, a number of them made by your own President. But you know these films better than I. You directed them and photographed them, did all the complex work upon them which is needed before presentation to a cinema audience. " British Governments believe, and have believed since 1927, that British films are worth having and that steps should be taken to give them a fair opportunity. Help has been given in two directions. First by quotas and secondly by financial help to production. . . . " The Government has helped the producers through the introduction of the Production Fund and they have also been helped more recently by Mr. Butler in the Budget, when the film industry was singled out for a concession. I believe this tax relief will help and I am glad that the arrangements for the continuation of the Production Fund, which were negotiated on a voluntary basis, will enable the impetus of British film production to be kept up. " What about the capital? Producers continue to be helped by the National Film Finance Corporation. There is no doubt of the value of the part played by the Corporation, particularly in financing independent producers, and for that reason we have continued it. But I want here to utter a word of warning. There is a limit to the amount of public money that can be afforded in financing film production. There are, after all, many other claims upon the public purse. For this reason, if for no other, I attach great importance to the efforts made to cut costs, it is not for me to tell the industry how to do it. I can, however, observe the facts; and I take these figures from that sector of the industry which was in receipt of public finance. The fact is that we have done rather well in cutting costs in recent years and since the National Film Finance Corporation began its work. Prime costs since then have risen : 18 per cent for materials; 32 per cent for laboratory charges; 15 per cent for studio wages. Yet the cost of making first feature films in that sector has risen only by 6 per cent. This is progress in the right direction. During the past year prices generally have been steady and 1 hope to see production economies overtaking rising costs. " I would say this about the future. Remember this is your industry. Do not imagine that this, or any other Government, can run it for you. In the last resort the prosperity of British films does not depend on the volume of public finances which may be available. There is a severe limit under all Governments as to the amount of public funds that can be made available. The future therefore depends oh you. Governments can help; they can help by steadying the prices outside; they can help by easing a little the burden of tax, as Mr. Butler did the other day. They can help by encouraging arrangements like the Eady Fund. They can help within limits through the supply of capital through such organisation as the National Film Finance Corporation. Beyond that the responsibility is all yours You have a fine record and great achievements to your credit and I wish to you who actually make the films every success in the years which lie ahead." A.C.TSs 21st Annual General Meeting rpHE Association's Annual Gen* eral Meeting was held at the Beaver Hall, Garlick Hill, London, on Saturday, April 24th and Sunday, April 25th. General Council's report showed a membership at January 1st of 5,830, an increase of 264 over previous year. The report, which surveyed Association activities and film industries' problems over past twelve months, was fully debated over the two days. Decisions dealing with many subjects vital to welfare of technicians and film industry were made after full — and often lively — discussion. Policy decisions included support for municipal ownership of cinemas and the state ownership of a cinema circuit; new Quota safeguards to ensure adequate British production; reduction in the number of American and other foreign technicians allowed to work in British film industry; greater flexibility on admission of new entrants into industry; the safeguarding of film technicians' interests in Commercial Television; move to secure upward revision of basic pay rates in documentary and short films; action to prevent undercutting by low-wage countries of British camera prices in export markets; and fuller reporting on all Association affiliations in Treasurer's annual report and in General Council agendas. The 1953 Newsreel Wages Agreement, and the negotiations on the Laboratory members' pay claims were also discussed. Officers and (,'. m ml Council Members elected for the .mar 1954 were: President: The Hon. Anthony Asquith: Vicb-Presidents: Teresa Holland. Frank Puller. C. J. Wheeler. Kenneth Gordon, Ian Struthers; Treasurer: Stanley Warbey. Gsnbrai Ccii'Ni ii. i Feature. Shorts): Sash Fisher, \. W, Easey, R. J. Minney, Christopher Brunei, Harold Hanscombe. F. A. Swann, Max Anderson, Sid Cole. Ivor Montagu. (Laboratory) tleo. Irons. Alt' Cooper, Jai k Mackintosh, Len Runkel, Rae Sharpe. Jim Wild. Trustees: C.MilTrrv Bell Colin Bell