The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

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30 CINE TECHNICIAN February 1955 HIIHE WO) IIS-I'OOIS MOV IKS? Readers' Comments DEREK TWIST writes: Of course more movies need not mean poor movies and Lejeune is perfectly right when she states that there is not enough production nowadays to keep available skills, both technical and acting, properly limbered up — let alone to develop new talent. Equally, Mr. Shepherd is talking nonsense and dangerous nonsense. Even the small band of provenly successful commercial script writers is not working anywhere near full capacity and as to the suggestion that we should return to megalomaniac extravaganzas — that is surely quite frightening after the terrible lessons we have been taught more than once! The reason that more films are not made is perfectly simple and has nothing to do with availability of studios or talent. Every British Picture relies for the whole or the great majority of its profit on the contribution from the Film Production Fund. Since the amount of this fund to be disbursed does not vary with the number of films made (but only with the total cinema attendance, a small fluctuation), it stands to reason that the more films that are made the smaller the chances that any one of them will show a profit. No sane production organisation is going to prejudice its chances of making money by making more pictures. It's as simple as that. Q.E.D. From JOHN GOSSAGE: I was most interested to read the correspondence in the " Cine Technician " on the argument " More Movies need not mean Poor Movies." Personally, I think Miss Lejeune's comments make sound sense. The fact remains that output is deplorably low and too much of that output consists of second features. There is a very real risk of the creative elements in the British film industry becoming makers of second features and television films. This does not imply that second features cannot be good, nor TV films for that matter, but it is unfortunate that the majority of major films shown on British screens are of American origin. It is equally difficult to see how such major films could, except in rare cases, get their money back unless foreign markets and particularly the U.S. market are expanded. It is not a case of whether the industry has the creative potential to make more movies, it is whether the marketing end of the industry is in a position to exploit them when they are made. H. JONES writes: Between the jousts of Miss C. A. Lejeune and Adrian Brunei, both professionals in their respective arts, please permit me, the person who has to pay to sit through the remains of their maulings, who often has to be content with the personal condolence of " It wasn't worth the light." However the critics may praise a film there are thousands like myself who would not give anything to support it because the cinema at which it might be showing is depressing, dirty, and badly managed. In fact, I have had to miss many good films in Gravesend for that reason alone. The decent public, the patrons that should, and would, be regular, can never enjoy a film in some of the deplorable cinemas that exist today, and if they cannot enjoy both the film and the comfort of a nice theatre they will not be regular supporters. The cinema must be as important as the film being screened. Comfort and entertainment must go together if the industry wishes to retain and obtain new patrons. I refer you to page 8, " Cine Technician," January 1955, the quote of Oscar Deutsch, 11/1/34, is more than true of the cinemas in this district. HELP IN NEED by Stan Warbey, A.C.T. Treasurer T SUPPOSE that the majority of -* us give only occasional thought to the A.C.T. Benevolent Fund except perhaps at Xmas time with the Annual Draw and therefore little is known of the help which is being given all the time in many and various ways. In addition, of course, members' particular circumstances must at all times be held in strictest confidence by the small committee which administers the Fund on our behalf, but it is possible to quote extracts from letters received at Head Office which will serve to illustrate the ways in which assistance is being given. For instance, one member wrote: ". . . please accept my most grateful thanks for the cheque . . . and your good wishes. Your letter arrived when the days were particularly dark . . ." " Many thanks . . . my wife and I are most grateful for the way in which A.C.T. have come to our assistance . . ." " I am writing to thank you for . . . the attention you and the committee have given to my case . . . may I convey my sincere appreciation." In some instances from time to time we find that working in the closest co-operation with the Cinematograph Trade Benevolent Fund some of our members have enjoyed a pleasant stay and recuperation at the " Glebelands " House. Demands on the A.C.T. Benevolent Fund can be affected by trends in the general affairs and problems of the Association. The first example that comes to mind is of course " casualisation ", which must inevitably create problems, some too great for the members to solve alone. Then there are those unpredictable upsets; an illness, accident or even bereavement which throws one's routine right off course — but then 1 do not wish to stress too much the less cheerful side of life. Nevertheless, these problems and others are facing one or other of your fellow members all the time and the extent of help which can be given must always be governed by the size of the Fund, which in turn depends upon the generosity of the membership as a whole. In the film industry it seems that the future may long be an uncertainty for many of us. New techniques, new ideas, new media may mean a new prosperity. We cannot afford to let it be marred by misfortune, for in the talents and prosperity of the working technicians lies the wealth of the industry. Round the Film World contd. actuality TV programmes for I.T.A. . . . H. Forsythe Hardy has been appointed Director of " Films for Scotland " Committee. . . . G.B. Equipments are now sole agents for distribution and servicing of the famous Linhof range of "large format" cameras, tripods and accessories.