The Cine Technician (1953-1956)

170 CINE TECHNICIAN November 1956 Steve Cox t ('i)iitiuiii ih Noni Lloyd Williams. He also named Cliff Parris and Ronnie Anscombe, but it was Cliff who gave me the " dope " about the Malayan Film Unit in the first place. I learn, too, that John Shearman is returning to Baghdad shortly. I sincerely hope that the situation in the Middle East is peaceful by the time you return, John, and the best of luck. I understand, too, that cameraman George Noble, of the Gold Coast Film Unit, is returning to London on leave shortly and that Cyril Arapoff is taking over George's duties for two or three months and is due to leave for the Gold Coast on Tuesday, 13th November, 1956. I hope it doesn't get too hot for you Cyril, and that you have a pleasant trip. Other interesting news is that Terry Trench and Bill Mason are leaving for Australia as Joint Editors on the Official Eastman Colour Record of this year's Olympic Games at Melbourne. I understand that Shell (Australia) have acquired the sole rights of covering in colour the Games, but does not cover the B. & W. newsreels. The events will be shot by Australian camera crews, but the Company asked Shell Film Unit in London to supply the Director/ Editor and Editor. The lucky two being Bill and Terry respectively. Let's hope the results of the film compare with those of the Berlin Olympics of 1936. Best of luck, lads, and happy cutting. This column this time is almost like " Gulliver's Travels," isn't it, with all these comings and goings? And as I've just heard that John Rowdon is back from Baghdad, I hope to get some news from him for the next issue, so look for the next episode. CINE TECHNICIAN Editor: MARTIN CHIS1IOLM Editorial Office: 2 Soho Square, W.l Telephone: GERrard 8506 Advertisement Office: 5 and 6 Red Lion Sq., VV.C.l Telephone: HOLborn 4972 ITV— A POLICY FOR BALANCE A S the recruitment of more and -^* more members working in TV goes on, A.C.T. T. is increasingly drafting policies connected with this growing medium of entertainment. At the request of a number of TV members, the Legislation Committee of the Union considered what our policy should be towards the three-quarters of a million pounds set aside by the Government for the purpose of helping to get a balanced programme on commercial TV. After a number of opposing points of view had been voiced, unity was reached, and the following resolution has been sent to the Postmaster-General, the DirectorGeneral of the I.T.A., and to the Treasury on behalf of A.C.T.T. : " The Association of Cinematograph, Television and allied Technicians, the Trade Union organising technicians in the television and film industries, is alarmed at the generally low standard and trivial content of Commercial Television and at the present almost complete failure of the Contractors to fulfil their obligations to put out a balanced programme. " It would appear that the Contractors have decided that a balanced programme is not a profitable investment and that they have, therefore, decided to spend money only on those types of programme calculated to attract a majority audience. " This Association is of the strong opinion that immediate steps should be taken to stem the tendency towards an ever decreasing quality and its consequent effect on public taste, and that the enormous power of Commercial Television should not merely be used for frivolous entertainment, but that its beneficial effects should be put to their fullest use. " it is felt that drastic measures should speedily be taken to improve the present low standard. It is understood that the Government is contemplating allocating the £750,000 set aside by the Government for the purpose of sponsoring a balanced programme. If this course of action is taken, this Association recommends that the I.T.A. itself should control, expend and administer the funds ::o made available, but that any sub-contracting that the I.T.A. deems advisable should be under its control and subject always to the following provisos : 1. In the event of one of these programmes becoming sufficiently popular to attract a large enough audience in its turn to attract sufficient advertising to make it pay, the subsidy fur that programme shall be withdrawn and the money used for subsidising of a further similar programme. 2. In the event of one of these programmes partially paying for itself, a reasonable proportion of its income shall be deducted from the subsidy. 3. If the Government does make all or part of the £750,000 available, we suggest that it should be limited to an experimental period of, say, one year, when the situation can be reviewed in the light of all the circumstances. However, we consider it most important that nothing should be done which would encourage the contracting companies to believe that their obligations to provide balanced programmes can be avoided by appealing for Government subsidy. 4. Such programmes to be British in conception and production. 5. All such programmes (except where very special extenuating cir< im stances exist to the satisfaction of the I.T.A. I shall be networked to all transmitting stations. 6. Programmes put out under this allocation shall be transmitted during the normal peak hours, i.e.. between 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. in the evening or on Saturday and Sunday afternoons only, between 2. 3d p.m. and 5 p.m. A reasonably high proportion shall be transmitted between the hours of 8 p.m. and 10.30 p.m." NOTE THE DATES A.G.M. SATIRDAY AND SUNDAY, MARCH 9th A 10th, 1957 RESOLUTIONS AM) NOMINATIONS must be in by FRIDAY, DECEMBER 28th, 195(5