Focus: A Film Review (1948-1949)

FOCUS 14$ by tilting the screen or setting it at an angle, so more light can be allowed. A corner position near the window is often satisfactory, and the same holds for the beaded screen. If a translucent screen is used, no light must be allowed to fall behind the screen (but light in front does no harm, as it passes through the screen and is dispersed). If necessary, flaps or a hood may be added at the back. It can be made like a portfolio, the flaps can be used to protect the screen be tween whiles. Success of daylight projection will, of course, also vary with the machine: with an episcope almost complete blackout is needed, but with a powerful modern diascope it will probably be unnecessary to darken the room at all. Wiring and safety precautions. It is best to get expert advice about installation, but if it is not available, the following hints may be useful. The ideal connection to the mains is a three-pin power point and it is best to have one put in if necessary. If this is impossible, a lamp socket or wall plug may be used with lamps up to 500 (wattage, but there is always the risk that a fuse may be blown. For this reason it is also advisable to have the projector on a different circuit from the lighting: otherwise, if a fuse occurs, the room will be plunged in darkness. The current and voltage should be ascertained, and a resistance or transformer used if necessary. Trailing wires are to be avoided, otherwise they may trip up the children, or the operator — and so lead to merriment or to loss of dignity, if not to damage to the machine. They should be looped round a table leg to take the pull, and a connection in the flex is also advisable. Wires may be passed overhead instead, but if they are hanging, something should be hung on them to attract attention. If adjustments are necessary the cable should be disconnected from the mains, i.e., the plug withdrawn, and not merely switched off. This is particularly important if the lamp has to be changed. Two other important precautions should be noted — to make sure that the electrical pins are on the "dead”, i.e., the machine side of the connection, and the socket on the "live”, i.e., the mains side. Secondly, the apparatus must never be used near water. EMERGENCIES. The most likely breakdowns are — Failure to start, and stoppages — these may be due to incorrect threading or to loss of loop, or dirt in some key position in the mechanism. To ensure that the machine has been correctly laced and that the film transport mechanism and loops are operating correctly, the"inching knob” should be given a few turns by hand before the current isswitched on. This will avoid the disconcerting stoppage of the machine immediately after switching on. Breakdowns due to dust can be avoided altogether if the operator makes it part of his routine to clean the picture gate, sound head and film channel every time he uses the machine and a methodical general cleaning at regular short intervals. Film breakages — The quickest way to deal with this is to have a spare spxxfl ready and change the bottom spool: failing that, the broken end can be caught into the spool. Light failure — This may be due to a fused lamp or a blown fuse. For thisit is necessary to have a spare lamp at hand and some fuse iwire: also a screwdriver. FURTHER POINTS. In general: 1. Order films in good time. 2. Check them as soon as they arrive. 3. See them through beforehand, also teaching notes if provided. 4. Keep the machine well cleaned, especially the gate. 5. Set up the machine in good time and focus the picture and have all in readiness before the audience arrives — otherwise you will be embarrassed by well-meant offers of help! 6. Test the movement by hand when laced. 7. Switch on in this order: motor, light, sound. 8. Keep an eye on the machine throughout. 9. Switch off immediately if a stoppage occurs. ' 10. Switch off in reverse order to 7: sound, light, motor.