The Film Daily (1929)

—2&>% OAJUY Sunday, September 22, 1929 5. M. P. E. Observes Industry Progress ANALYZES ADVANCES AND PROBLEMS IN TALKERS This is the second instalment of the latest report of the Committee on Progress of the Society of M. P. Engineers. Sound Recording The making of sound pictures has revolutionized the motion picture industry during the last year. Nearly all the large producers have committed themselves, in part, to a production program and one has announced exclusive production of sound pictures. Four types of sound pictures have been classified by Millikan: (1) Musically scored pictures (2) Pictures with songs (3) News reels (4) Dialogue pictures Besides the large number of studios erected by one producer for sound picture production, mentioned previously, J. A. Ball has reported in a letter to the chairman of the committee the installation of 33 recording channels by two companies. Portable units for recording are being delivered and one picture "In Old Arizona'' was taken with portable equipment entirely in open desert country. Another picture was made in the South Seas with very light portable equipment, the amplifier unit weighing only 22 pounds and operated with dry cells, the entire apparatus being transportable by canoes. A historical review of the development of sound pictures has been published. An anlysis of E. A. Lauste's early patent specification, granted in 1906, indicated that this inventor had grasped many of the essentials of photographic sound recording as used at the present time. The variable area sound recording system used by the General Electric Co. has been described by Marvin. Wente has reviewed the principles of sound recording and Steinberg has discussed the qualities of speech and music. Besides the use of a glow lamp, variable density records are also produced with a constant light source in conjunction with a slit, the width of which is varied according to electrical modulations created by the sound waves to be recorded. Sound recording with a slit of this type known as a light valve has been described by MacKensie. A description of another type of light valve called the "Kerr Cell" has also been given. Hardy has dealt with the optics of sound recording systems. Wax recording methods have been described by Frederick. The intricate equipment necessary to insure synchronization of sound and picture during recording has been described by Stoller. Koller has written on the use of the photo-electric cell and Kellogg on the vacuum tube. Descriptions of sound recording processes in use abroad include variable density record types, one the invention of A. J. Roberts and another known as the Kuchenmeister Glowlamp system; the Gaumont-PetersonPoulson process whereby the sound and picture are recorded separately, and a somewhat similar system called the "Meisterton" process. The last named as originally worked out recorded the sound outside the perforation area. Tri-Ergon Sound Films yield a variable density record and use film of 42 mm. width and a glow lamp. Causes of ground noises, extraneous sounds recorded by the film, have been analyzed by Sandvik who showed that the processing conditions, even though very carefully controlled, introduce considerable ground noise. A giant amplifier installed on an airplane made clearly audible to persons on the ground the voice of a man speaking in ordinary tones when the plane was at 2,000 ft. elevation. An amplifying system installed in the Central Casting Bureau at Hollywood, in conjunction with the telephone switchboard makes possible the segregation of any voice for testing purposes for sound pictures. Gaumont is reported to be using a bifffcromated gelatin film for sound recording. Keeping Pace with Progress Outline of technical advances in the industry will form a highlight of the fall meeting of the Society of M. P. Engineers, to be held Oct. .7 to 10 inclusive at Toronto. W. C. Kunzmann of the Natonal Carbon Co., Cleveland, is chairman of the convention committee. Technical report of the society is being awaited with keen interest due to the many changes in studio and theater equipment, expected to be announced at the Toronto meetings. Record attendance is forecast for the October sessions. The relief record is dyed with esculine and cemented on the back of the picture film (having a thin base), the images on which are prepared from dyes transparent to the ultra-violet. Projection is claimed to be unimpeded by the esculine since it is transparent to visible radiation. The desirable properties of glass windows for sound proof booths have been discussed. An opaque film with the picture record on one side and the sound record on the opposite side has been described; both images are projected by reflection. A radical experiment in sound production is contemplated in New York. It consists in remaking a picture in French immediately after the English version has been completed. French actors from the French theater will be used. Similar plans are under way for actors of other nationalities to make foreign distribution of American sound pictures possible. Numerous patents have been issued dealing with a great many phases of sound recording processes. A detailed review of sound-on-dial and sound-on-film patents has been published which is of considerable interest in connection with the present extensive application of sound motion pictures. Actors, Scenarios, Sets Although over 11,000 persons are registered at the Central Casting Bureau, Hollywood, only about 900 are employed daily. Producers draw on this bureau for extra actors. The technical equipment and processes involved in making a picture from the scenario writer's view have been clearly set forth by Carey Wilson. Nauman has demonstrated the value of reflecting power measurements for materials used in set construction. Pentagonal towers mounted on wheels permit rapid changes of sets as five different scenes may be arranged. A simple apparatus for generating ammonia chloride gas fog effects has been described by Seeber. Crystallized hypo or sodium thiosulphate has found a use as artificial ice for motion picture sets. It produces a dry, glossy surface, melting at 120 degrees F. Laboratory Practice Continuous negative developing machines have been installed by several Coast laboratories, one of which has been described by Hunter. A compact, horizontal tray type of developing machine has been designed by Jamieson. A tube machine made in two «izes is being manufactured in Germany. Small, portable outfits for developing short lengths of standard film are available commercially, one of a reel and tank design, and another a spiral developing frame. Motion picture films taken at the Republican convention at Kansas City were developed in an airplane during a flight to New York City. A number of patents have been granted dealing principally with improvements in the design of continuous machines and with portable developing equipment. Formulas and data on the drying capacity of air, heat and power required have been published permitting direct calculation of the requirements for drying photographic materials. A description of the various types of voltage regulators for laboratory and studio service has been prepared by Byles. Photographic Chemicals and Solutions New information on photographic solutions is rather meager. Tests on the Kodak borax fine grain developer have been generally favorable. Namias also suggests a formula devised by O. Mente. Another formula has been published anonymously. Glycerin is suggested as a good developer for tests on color sensitivity of panchromatic emulsions. Dundon and Crabtree have dealt extensively with the fogging properties of developers showing that desensitizers give complete protection against aerial developer fog. Results of an investigation by Luther support the theory that the specific action of soluble bromides is opposed to the reduction potential of a developer. According to Rzymkowski, the protective action of sulfite in a developer (hydroquinone) is the result of the formation of an addition compound on the reducing agent molecule which is oxidized in preference to the developing agent. As a fixing bath becomes exhausted, Luther states the tendency increases for the formation of the soluble salt of sodium silver thiosulphate. Printing Specifications for a standard notch for a printer light change were recommended at the Seventh International Congress, London, July, 1928. A printer using a continuously moving film without optical compensation has been described, two designs being suggested applicable as well to projectors. Emmerman has published a general paper on the usefulness of the optical printer. An article has appeared giving calculations of the friction and strain imposed on film at various speeds at the aperture of motion picture machines. Several patents deal with improvements in printing design. Quantitive data has been worked out by Tuttle relative to the printing intensity of several lamps and methods of varying the intensity have been considered. Valuable notes on making duplicate negatives have been published by Ives and Huse with reference to the use of duplicating film. The use of color wedges for varying the contrast in the printing of duplicate negatives has been protected by Capstaff. The importance of strict supervision of processing of sound films has been stressed by Coffman who gives as well valuable data design of developing machines and composition solutions. The printing of sound motion picture films has resulted in many modifications in printer design, a number of which have been patented. Stereoscopically related pictures may be printed according to a patent specification describing a special printer. Tinting and Toning A single solution dye toning formula has been suggested by Crabtree and Ives consisting, besides the dye, of acetone, farricyanide and acetic acid. Editing and Splicing Two devices for editing film have been described, each of which projects an image on a viewing window. In one of them a still picture is projected without the use of an intermittent or a shutter, a rotating spiral mirror and a series of plain mirrors being used. A few patents relating to splicing and editing apparatus have been granted. Title Making A camera equipped with an f -1.5 objective exposing at eight pictures a second was used to photograph a projected motion picture as a background for titles subsequently exposed at f-4 at the same rate. Cleaning, Reclaiming, Rewinding and Storage A multiple synchronous rewind has been devised permitting the rewinding of three picture films and their corresponding sound film for synchronization. Only three patents were thought to be of interest in connection with methods of cleaning and reclaiming film. A container for storing film has been patented, the novelty of its design being a trapped recess in the walls connecting with the outer air. Distribution To facilitate distribution, a producer makes two negatives of each picture, from one, 200 prints are made for American circulation, from the other which is shipped to England, about 140 prints are made for European use' Forty-four Film Boards of Trade have been established by the Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America to aid in film distribution. Over seven hundred institutions receive the benefit of showings of free film. Exhibition Projectors Each year, manufacturers of projection equipment have been endeavoring to make their apparatus more silent running. With the advent of sound pictures, this feature becomes increasingly important and one firm recently demonstrated a machine especially designed for sound film projection. Two other new projectors have been made available for which certain advantages are claimed. ^A projection device, called the "Triptique" permits simultaneous projection of three pictures to give either panoramic view of three separate inter-connected pictures. A very rigid supporting stand for projectors has been designed which has six adjustable leveling points. An exhaustive comparison made between arc lamps with glass condenser systems and mirror arcs has been made and the published results favor the arc lamp as being the more efficient illuminating unit. Calculations based on the best available arcs and optical systems show that 8,000 lumens is the maximum attainable light flux for screen illumination only half of which is practically available. A number of patents have been granted covering various improvements in projector design, among others claw pulldown movements, arc illumination, mechanism for reversing film, modified maltese cross design, etc. Faulty projection conditions in theaters have been denounced by a meeting of the Technicians' Branch of the Academy of M. P. Arts and Sciences although opinions were expressed that the indifference of some producers toward the theater was partly to blame. The strict supervision necessary for sound pictures will alleviate the situation. Imperfect drying resulting from the excessive heat on film as it passes through the projector gate causes film buckling and it is suggested that the shutter should be placed between the light source and the gate in order to reduce the temperature. An analysis has been made by Naumann of temporary in-andout-of-focus effects during projection. A projector equipped with a variable gate capable of handling different sized films has been patented, for example large films with two sets of marginal perforations or narrower films centrally perforated. Fire Protection A patent has been granted for a device which directs a blast of moist, oil-free, cool air on the gate of a motion picture projector. The characteristics of heat absorbing glasses have been described. A description has been published of the projection suite in the Paramount theater, New York City, with especial reference to the precautions adopted toward fire prevention. A survey of the causes of projection room fires in a large city during one year provides valuable information for the projectionist. A fire extinguisher has been so mounted on a projector that it puts the fire out almost instantly and cuts off the electric current to the projector. Another automatic apparatus closes the light circuit and stops the projector whenever the film position becomes changed. Valuable hints on installation of projection room equipment have been given which, if adopted, are claimed to permit a 50 per cent reduction in insurance costs. Data has been published showing the time required to quench burning celluloid with water. A few patents have been issued pertaining to the design of projection apparatus to minimize fire hazards. Further instalments of the Progress Report will appear in subsequent editions of THE FILM DAILY.