Home Movies (1943)

PACE 252 HOME MOVIES FOR AUGUST TITLE VEVELOP/NG FRAME RUBBER 6f>NO < SIZE VEPENDS ON 5IZC Of TRf)y^> BRDSS HAILS FILM ON EDGE MNOB IN CENTER OF FRRME FOB ERSIER HANDLING JOIN CROSS PIECES Title Developer The task of developing positive film titles becomes easy and pleasurable if the amateur will first make a simple developing rack as pictured here. It consists of two cross-pieces of wood, mitered to fit flush where they cross at center, on the top of which are partially driven a row of non-rusting brass nails. These serve as dividers or spacers for the coil of film. Size of rack depends upon dimensions of tray or other receptacle available for holding developing solution. The rack may be built to fit an ordinary glass refrigerator tray or a bath tub, depending upon individual requirements. Film is threaded on the rack standing WANTED! Those ideas for gadgets, tricks or shortcuts in filming, titling, editing or processing home movies — pass them on to fellow cinebugs through these columns. For each idea published, you'll receive two new projection reels. Write description of your idea plainly and when possible accompany it with a photo, sketch or diagram. There's no limit on number of ideas you may submit. Ideas not immediately published will be held for possible future publication unless they dupicate ideas previously submitted. Important: Be sure to mention whether your cine equipment is 8mm. or 16mm. so we may promptly forward award adaptable to your use. THE EXPERIMENTAL on edge, as shown. Threading begins at the center and continues to the outside. Both ends of film should be attached to drum with rubber bands to provide tension to take up slack during development. A wooden or plastic knob attached at hub of rack makes for easier agitation during developing and washing of film. — Tony Yencharas, WilkesBarre, Pa. Projects Larger Picture When I wish to project pictures larger than room size limitations permit, I place a 3 to 5 -inch extension tube in front of my projector lens. Tube is fitted with an 8 diopter lens, such as used as an auxiliary in making titles and which I obtained from an optician. The result is quite good, considering the low cost but, of course, is not to be compared to that obtained with shorter focal-length projection lenses. The auxiliary lens should be as large in diameter as posible in order that there will be no great abberation or falling away of the image at the edges. — Kenneth E. Grimes, Portland, Ore. Aid To Threading Although it is unwise to pack all the film on a reel it will hold, there are occasions when a film is submitted for screening that fills the reel to "overflowing," making it cumbersome to thread on the projector. The extra turns of film slip off the reel and often become damaged. A remedy, in such instances, is to slip a rubber band around the reel, as shown, after drawing off just enough film for threading purposes. It may be removed when hands are free to hold the reel and the projector is ready to be started. Should it be forgotten, it will slide off harmlessly, as the film unwinds. — Loren Smith, Sacramento, Calif. 8mm. Humidor Cans With metal reel cans out for the duration, I have found that the large tins, in which rolls of scotch tape are sold, are perfect for holding 200 foot r;els 0+ 8mm. film. The tins of some manufacturers have the center indented; but this can be smoothed out by pounding with a hammer. — Nathan A. Gainen, Brooklyn, N. Y. (Note: This suggestion has been submitted innumerable times and has been published before. However, in view of the need for substitutes for the reel cans now unavailable, we offer reader Gainen's suggestion and photo herewith.— Ed.) Camera Centering Guide The best way to insure accurate centering of camera on titler each time is tc install a guide pin in the camera base of titler and drill a hole to receive it in base of camera as shown in accompanying sketch. This idea is particularly adaptable to such cameras as Filmos, Victors and Keystone although it is applicable to other makes of cameras as well. First, it is necessary to determine position of camera when exactly centered on title board. Then trace outline of camera base on titler. Next, drill a 1 16 inch hole in titler l/4 to% of an inch away from the tripod screw. Then before fitting this with pin, mount camera on titler again, align it with pencil mark, then drill the 1 16 inch hole in