The Film Daily (1929)

M 6 Monday, September 9, 1929 A Technical Survey of the Industry S. M. P. E. OFFERS PROOF PROGRESS IS BEING MADE The Society of Motion Picture Engineers will hold its semi-annual convention in Toronto next month. Its Committee on Progress, authors of the Progress Report, twice yearly surveys the international film industry and prepares for its members an anlysis of strides being made in technical developments. What follows is the first section of its report rendered at the last meeting held in New York; Films and Emulsions The importance of duplicating valuable negatives, the extensive use of panchromatic film, and the requirements for photographic recording of sound have resulted in several improvements in emulsion characteristics during the past six months. The properties of panchromatic films of several manufacturers have been discussed. The reports show notable increases in red sensitiveness, thus making the emulsions more useful for sets illuminated with incandescent light. The results on tests on halation, latitude, and other properties of Agfa duplicating film have been published. New negative emulsions especially adapted to the recording of sound have been announced. A few papers on emulsion technic have appeared. These dealt with thermal principles of continuous drying, preparation of highly sensitive negative emulsions, and a review of patent specifications. A review of recent patent literature indicates extensive experimentation on the improvement of cellulose acetate and its derivatives for use as film suport. Tests on a new non-inflammable positive film indicate that it lacks the usual brittleness of acetate base. Only a few patents have appeared on improvements in nitrate support. One author describes methods of making cellulose acetonitrate with the object of obtaining the desirable plastic properties of nitrate and the slow burning characteristics of acetate film base. One additional patent has been accepted to the long group issued during the last few years on methods of improving emulsion sensitiveness by the addition of sulphur compounds during manufacture. Certain protein extracts have also been disclosed as sensitizers for gelatin. A French patent of interest to projectionists relates to the application of a platic heat resisting layer to the emulsion side of photographic films. Several new disclosures have been made concerning treatments of cellulosic film support for the prevention of electro-static charges, and for minimizing halation. Important suggestions on the standardization of raw film dimensions were submitted by Lummerzheim at the Seventh International Congress of Photography, London, July 1928. These were related to (1) pitch of perforation and shrinkage (2) size and shape of perforation (3) size of film (4) staggered perforations (5) spooling of raw film and core dimenlions. Progress has been made on the adoption of standards relating to 16 mm. film and data have been assembled on dimensional standards for film used in the photographic recording of sound by our Standards and Nomenclature Committee. They have also under consideration the proposals made by the Cinematograph Group at the Seventh International CongTess. A few patents have been accepted related to improvements in motion picture film strips for various purposes, such as identification, strengthening the perfora tion area, and attaching paper leaders. Efforts to modify the usual photographic materials include (1) The use of a translucent paper support. (2) A patent granted on metallic motion picture film having a protected surface and embossed ridges between the perforations. (3) The use of bichromated instead of a silver image. (4) The commercial introduction of a diazo compound impregnated viscose film of extreme thinness known as "Ozaphane" film. The last named material contains materials which combine to form a dye but they are decomposed by light. A positive image is obtained directly from a positive. Funger has published data on edge fog, stating Holmolka's explanation of the effect of ageing which is said to result from the migration of traces of free soluble bromide from the edges toward the center. Serpentine or wavy leader and tail trips on motion picture films have been patented as a means of preventing edge fog. Prescriptions for hypersensitizing panchromatic materials have been given by Jacobsohn. A new intra-red sensitive film has been announced which is sensitized with "Rubrozyanine." Studio and Location Uniform diffuse illumination has been suggested for studio lighting whereby the ceiling is a white hemisphere illuminated by spotlights. Descriptions have bean published of several German and English studios. The extensive adoption of sound motion picture production programs has resulted in comprehensive changes in studio construction. One producer during the summer of 1928 built an entire new city for making sound pictures exclusively. It comprises 25 buildings covering 40 acres. Camera Lenses and Shutters Although many large aperture lenses have been made available commercially, there has been no new fundamental principle of lens design discovered in the last twenty years. Focal lengths of the taking lens affect the perspective of the projected picture, occasionally introducing serious distortion. The use of large aperture lenses has been reviewed and it is claimed that such lenses are unsuitable for portraiture at distances shorter than about IS feet. A new f/1.4 objective for cine cameras has been announced which has six elements, two pairs of which are cemented. Several patents on objectives of various types have been taken out related to panoramic work, stereoscopic effects, non-intermittent movements, and alternate use of one of a plurality of lens systems. The advantages and limitations of various shutter designs were discussed. Another article dealt with theoretical and practical considerations of the design of claw pulldown movements. A shutter claiming to reduce flicker and eliminate scattered rays has been patented as has an oscillating beater type of pulldown that makes friction contact with the film just below the gate. A few additional patents have been issued on various types of pulldown mechanisms. Cameras and Accessories Newman has designed a light, automatically driven camera of 200 ft. capacity which is claimed to run 160 to 180 ft. at one winding of the spring motor. A new camera for both normal and high speed exposures has been developed which carries 25 meters of film, has a 170° shutter, and a hand or spring drive with 16 or 50 frames per second. Of historical interest is the description of a camera designed in 1897 to take 100 pictures per second. The film had no perforations and was moved by a rubber friction roller which rotated in one direction and then reversed for a very short time to stop the film. Thun has given a very brief description of his speed camera capable of takii.g 2000 pictures per second. Midday sunlight exposures have been obtained at 8 to 15 ft. under water with a De Vry camera enclosed in a metal waterproof box. Two new Debrie cameras were described recently before the Society, one for high speed use and one for professional and news work. To silence the Bell and Howell camera for sound work fiber gears have been introduced, the film tension set at from 1J4 to 2 ounces. A belt tightener was incorporated insuring even take up, and bronze substituted for ball bearings. Sound-Proof Housings A report of the use of the spring drive has been published as applied to several makes of cameras. Four patents have been granted on different types of driving mechanisms. The design of various pressure plates for camera gates have been patented. Rotation of the lens to secure exposure on a wide film in a curved gate has been protected. A professional tripod suitable for supporting the added weight of sound cameras has been made available commercially. Other accessories relate to focusing devices, and modified designs of film magazines. A black matte varnish for minimizing troubles from reflected light on the interior of lens barrels and camera cases has been described. To facilitate the making of stills during progress of the action, a photographic camera is attached to a motion picture camera. Reflected images simulating the effect of photographing a subject over an expanse of quiet water are obtained with a cone shaped device which is attached to the front of the camera. A glass plate with a reflecting surface bisects the cone horizontally and when the lower half of the cone opening is closed thus causing the upper half of the lens to record the reflected image. Another still camera of especial interest is the stereoscopic camera developed by H. E. Ives. The picture is made from different angles, as the camera is moved along a track in front of a subject. A glass grating with dark lines and clear spaces is placed in front of the plate and. a similar grating is placed before the finished picture. There has been some activity in the use of cameras taking film 70 mm. wide both by Fox and RCA Photophone. The latter in conjunction with G. K. Spoor are stated to be working on a stereoscopic sound film. A patent has been taken out by the Askjyija-Werke Aktiengesellschaft on a timelapse camera equipped with special filters. Studio Light Sources With the more general adoption of panchromatic negative film stock during the past two years, there has been a gradual increase in the use of incandescent lighting replacing to a certain extent, mercury vapor and arc light units. A studio census taken in February 1929 showed that a fairly large number of the 60 or more pictures were being photographed with more or less incandescent lamps. On one very large set, over 4800 lamps were used, whose wattage totaled near ly 4,000,000. Lamps are being used extensively on sets for decorative effect such as signs, table and wall lights, etc. Some cameramen have noted less shadow detail with sets illuminated with tungsten lamps only, but further experience is necessary to substantiate these results. An important report has been published of the results of the lighting test experiment conducted by the Academy of M. P. Arts and Sciences in conjunction with the American Society of Cinematographers and the Association of M. P. Producers. Several interesting general papers on the characteristics of incandescent illumination have been published in our Transactions and in other journals. The 2000-watt and the 5000-watt lamps with 18 inch parabolic reflectors are finding extensive use, and the use of a 10 KW. lamp in a 36 inch reflector is commencing. A new 50 KW. lamp has been described having a chimney-like extension containing radiating disks for heat dissipation. A coarse tungsten powder is being added to the 5 and 10 KW. lamps to reduce the bulb blackening and permit operation of the lamp at a higher efficiency. Arc lights have been modified extensively during the past two years, especially since the expanded program of sound motion pictures was inaugurated during the spring of 1928. Several types of incandescent "spots," "suns" and "broads" have been described. Some of the spotlights have filter frames operated automatically by electro-magnets. The use of parabolic chromium plated surfaces have increased the light intensity of side arc lamps. Data has been published on the characteristics of flame arcs for stu dio lighting, as well as a more general paper tabulating the luminous efficiencies of various lighting units. The neon-arc in combination with the mercury vapor tube appears to offer a light having properties suitable for exposure of panchromatic film. A satisfactory lighting unit is claimed to be obtained by introducing a dye with fluoresces in the red region and coating this on the reflector used with a mercury vapor lamp. Another method of obtaining red radiation is the use of a sodiumpotassium alloy which is excited in the same way as a mercury lamp. Very effective flares for night photography are commercially available, actuated by the use of dry cells. Make-Up The art of making-up has undergone extensive changes with the introduction of panchromatic stock and incandescent lighting equipment. Grease paints must more nearly conform to actual flesh tints. Two valuable articles on this subject by F. Factor and by Lon Chaney were published in the Academy Reports No. 1 previously mentioned. Exposure Meters A new model exposure meter of the extinction type, the settings have been chosen to suit normal practice by correlating the principal setting to the exposure time of 1-32 seconds. In another optical type meter, the fixed standard of illumination is derived from the impact of radium on a small area of zinc sulfide. Trick Work, Special Process Photography Iry the Fox production "Sunrise,'' the camera was used to express moods and thoughts, thus avoiding the use of titles wherever possible. A number of patents have been taken out on methods of obtaining trick effects. Effects so protected include among others the use of small size scenery, rotating prismatic lenses, exposure through a blocked-out mask film, pseudo-relief effects, etc. A method of synchronizing motion pictures for trick purposes with one soundrecording device has been patented. A novel method of composite photography which was described recently before the Society permits double exposure (without phantom effects) into miniature action or into distant location shots. Many unusual effects obtained in motion pictures are introduced during printing, and special optical printers have been designed. In one process backgrounds are inserted with the use of a traveling matte. Distortion effects not present in the negative may be introduced according to one patent, by the use of a prism having an aspherical lenticular face. Patents dealing with methods of making composite pictures have been issued. Of interest to workers doing special process photography where slight variations in shrinkage of films result in serious distortion of images, is a new graduated gauge which gives a direct reading of the pitch of any film by simply laying the film on the gauge. In sound recording work voice doubling has been accomplished, particularly in the case of songs and instruments where the rhythm makes it possible. A valuable paper has been published on revocalized films wherein a method is described of redistributing sounds on a phonograph record to bring them into synchronism with the picture, or objectionable sections may be eliminated. Bristol has also dealt extensively with a method of re-synchronization of sound. Direction Technic Very litte information of a reliable nature has been published on the technic of directing pictures. Two papers by leading directors in Hollywood, therefore, are especially valuable, since they recount difficulties and problems met under the stress of actual production. Further instalments of the Progress Report will appear in subsequent editions of THE FILM DAILY.