FilmIndia (1939)

FILM INDIA October 1939 etc, but if the war is prolonged, as seems likely, there is little doubt that cost of production will further go up The manifold problems of replacing German equipment owing to the difficulty of getting a supply of spare parts, readjustments of carbons and projectors, the likely restrictions on Cinema timings due to A.R.P. black-outs in the larger cities — all these mean handicaps to the film trade. Economy on production schedules is, therefore, definitely indicated. But we should not be stampeded into accepting the producers' stock remedy of cuts in salaries and retrenchment of personnel. Lower salaries would tend to adversely affect the morale of the studio employees and be detrimental to general efficiency. Reduced staff, besides throwing out hundreds of honest workers on the streets, would mean slower production, greater delays and fewer pictures in a year. RATIONALIZE PRODUCTION A much better thing to do would be to reorganize production activity on a more rational basis, quicken the speed of work and thus bring down cost of production per picture. Among other things that would ensure completion of pictures within the shortest possible time, we whole-heartedly endorse the suggestion made in the Bulletin of the Association of Cine Technicians of India that the shooting script should be completely ready before the picture goes on the 'sets'. Such a course would eliminate much unnecessary expense of money and energy. We know of ordinary, second rate pictures that take 10 and 12 months to produce. Meanwhile, the salaries of the stars and Directors mount up to a formidable figure In the same time two or even three pictures could be producd if the paper work was completed before the production started. Moreover a scandalous amount of film footage is dissipated in takes, retakes and 're-retakes', on scenes that are discarded at the last moment and on 'shots' that are mis-fired! If expenses have to be curtailed, why not start by stopping this wastage of raw film? At the same time we must appeal to the stars and all other artistes to co-operate fully 4 in this policy of rationalization. They can dc so by being regular in attendance hours, getting ready with their dialogues and make-up punctually, avoiding temperamental moods and headaches caused by late nights and generally giving of their best in the interests of their producers Every minute costs money in a studio and by helping the producers to save unnecessary cosl they will only be ensuring their own careenj which are likely to be jeopardized by a collapse of the industry. SHORTER PICTURES, LESS COST! .' JH By the way, have the producers realized that they can save almost Rs. 5000/-per produc tion if only they cut down their pictures to M reasonable length of about 12000 feet? As the price of raw film increases, eacl print will become more precious. It become: necessary, therefore, that exhibitors, cinema managers and their operators should take mor< care of the films they handle. At the present the crude way they run the pictures necessi tates constant repairs and early replacement The foreign distributors have also occasions t< complain of careless handling of their prints In the interests of all concerned the cinem; authorities ought to exercise judicious care o the stock they handle. NO DICTATORS Thus we see no reason for a panic No should we allow capitalistic profiteering at th«; expense of studio workers who are being threat ened with retrenchment and wage-cuts. If ii this moment of crisis, sacrifices have to be made let both sides make them — not the worker alone! Above all, it is necessary for everyon holding a responsible position in the industry t> coolly analyse the situation and to make thjl necessary readjustments, only after an intelli gent stock-taking of the situation which ma;1 even result in permanent improvements in thjl standards of film production in India, thus provlj ing the war to be a blessing in disguise. Wha is to be avoided is any precipitate action takeil by our producers in an autocratic manner. Onjl Dictator is causing so much misery to the worldlj We don't want more dictators.