Home Movies (1943)

HOME MOVIES FOR FEBRUARY on the subject of title making have dealt with those processes which come before the exposure is made. This month, we shall discuss the principle step that comes after the title is filmed — developing the film. There are two methods by which the title film may be "developed" or transformed to the positive, screenable stage, depending upon whether the title is photographed on reversal or positive film. Reversal film must be "processed" which differs in procedure from the straight development accorded positive film. Limited space prevents our describing fully the reversal process and wc trust a brief outline will suffice. When titles are photographed on reversal film such as panchromatic, Kodachrome, etc., the film is first developed to a negative. The image is then bleached and the film re-exposed to light, and the remaining image then put through a second developer which converts it to a positive. Where titles are photographed on positive film in what is known as the "direct-positive method," the film is merely developed to a negative and is ready for projection. Since the developed positive film becomes in fact a negative, the tonal values are reversed. That is, if the title card was black and the text lettered in white ink, as when panchromantic film is used, the positive title film would show a white background with black letters. For this reason, most title cards to be photographed on positive film are lettered in black on white cards. Positive film titles are popular because the amateur can develop them himself with a minimum of equipment. Unlike with the home reversal process, all that is required to develop positive film is a simple rack or drum on which to wind the film and trays or receptacles to hold the developer and hypo or fixing solution. It is even possible to develop titles in short lengths by hand, thus dispensing with the rack. Simple equipment which will serve the amateur planning extensive title making, can be made easily from materials about the home. One such outfit is illustrated in the accompanying sketch. The developing trays are made fiom a large oil can split in the middle. A simple stand constructed of wood holds the trays securely. The developing drum may be constructed of lumber from a discarded apple box along the lines illustrated. The drum pictured accommodates about 15 feet of 16mm. film and the tray requires the very economical amount of but 5 ounces of developing solution. The trays for developer and hypo should be painted with acid resisting paint, otherwise chemical re-action will set in and spoil the film during development. In addition to this equipment and the developing solutions, only a safelight is needed to complete the outfit and make it possible to proceed with developing titles. Using positive film, a red safelight should be employed to furnish illumination in the darkroom during the primary stages of the film's development. Also, it will be required for illumination while loading the positive film in the camera. The film, incidentally, must be threaded with the emulsion side facing the lens. This precaution is mentioned because positive film, especially when purchased in bulk rolls, is unspooled and the emulsion side is in — that is facing the core of the roll. After the titles are photographed, the positive film is removed from the camera and wound, emulsion side out, upon the developing drum. Care must be taken on this point, because emulsion when wet is extremely Slip KM Ma •nR , 1 !£ f DRUM AND TRAYS fir POSITIVE FILM DEVELOPING Sth ea*u to develop your own movie TITLES By GEORGE W CUSHMAN soft and it takes very little to scratch it. The film is first placed in the developer for the required length of time. Probably the greatest factor determining successful title making at home is the correct selection and use of the developer. There are dozens of film. developing formulas, not all of them suitable for positive title film. The average negative developer produces a soft or low contrast negative. However, with titles, a high contrast developer is required. Most high contrast developers will be found satisfactory for title work. Eastman's D-11 is used by many amateurs for positive titles, developing the film for 5 minutes at a temperature of 65 0 Fah. Probably more amateurs now use Eastman's D-72 for positive titles than any other formula. With this developer used full strength at 65 degrees, excellent results will be obtained with the developing time of 2 1/2 to 3 minutes. Practically every film manufacturer supplies formulas for use with each film he makes, and for best results the developer recommended should be used, according to directions. Development may be carried out under the red or OA safelight. After rinsing, in clear running water, the film is placed in the hypo fixing solution. The purpose of this second formula is to • Continued on Page 58 49