Home Movies (1943)

HOME MOVIES FOR AUGUST PACE 261 TITLE TROUBLES By CEORGE W. CUSHMAN I, LF you have any questions pertaining to titles or title-making. Mr. Cushman will be glad to answer them. Address him in care of Home Movies or his residence, 1333 Locust St., Long Beach, Calif. In explaining your title troubles, include information such as type of equipment used, film, light source, and when problem occurs in finished title film, send along a sample of the film. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope if you wish a direct reply. Q: The only film I am able to buy at present is Super XX. Do you recommend this for titles? I have heard that the larger grain of this film, while satisfactory for pictures, is too large for good titles.— C. S. S., Elgin, 111. A: This is a timely question that is of interest to many movie amateurs today. None of us are now able to get the kind nor quantity of film we formerly did. However, Super XX will produce good titles. Being a very fast film, it is naturally grainier than films of slow emulsion. But if large, bold type or lettering is used for the title text, this grain condition will not be noticeable. Two other factors must also be considered when using this film: With such fast film, exposure must be very brief; the lens must be stopped 'way down. Also, latitude of Super XX is greater than slower emulsions. So if you want good contrast, your title cards must be genuine black with pure white letters. Q: I have tried unsuccessfully to photograph, with black and white film, a colored poster for a title. The lettering, which is red, fails to stand out against the background which is blue. Result is, lettering and background record in almost equal shades of grey. How can 1 refilm this poster and get the desired results — the lettering definitely separated from the background? — G. R. P., Pocatello, Idaho. A: While you did not state what kind of black and white film you used, i. e., positive, panchromatic or orthochromatic, fact is the colored poster can successfully be filmed with either of the three, simply by using an approprite filter before the lens to over-correct one of the colors in the poster. If positive or panchromatic film is used, they would normally record the background as medium grey and the letters black. The background can be made to appear still lighter by using a blue filter before the lens or by illuminating the title with blue instead of white light. Exposure would have to be increased, in either case, of course. Use of a red filter with panchromatic film would produce white letters against a dark background. Q: The first frame of my titles, and of my picture shots, too, for that matter, is always light — almost clear. I should think it ivould be dark, assuming the camera motor, in starting, would be slow to gain normal speed. What causes this? — R. P. C, Denton, Texas. A: With some cameras, the shutter does not attain full speed until the second revolution after motor is started. Result is, the first frame of a new scene or title is allowed more exposure by virtue cf the slower shutter movement which permits more light to reach the film. This condition is rarely found in late model cameras and where it does exist, it can be remedied by sending the camera to the factory for adjustment. Many do not consider the clear or over-exposed first frame an annoyance but rather a help in that it enables them to quickly locate the beginning of a scene when editing the film. The overexposed frame, of course, is cut out. Q: What is best method for determining when title is centered accurately with camera lens? — S. K., Laguna Beach, Calif. A: There are many methods, most of which have been described at one time or another in Home Movies. The important thing is to so mark camera position on title board that it will not be necessary to make centering tests each time a batch of titles are to be made. Best method is to construct a rigid title board and include a mount for the camera that will insure mounting it in the exact position, with relation to center of title, each time. Centering lens upon the title may be accomplished by pasting a sheet of newspaper over the title board — preferably a page printed in large type — then photographing it on a short test strip. When the test strip is developed, compare the area photographed with the newspaper, and outline the area on the newspaper, using a heavy pencil or ink. The rectangle thus marked becomes your title area for all subsequent titles. r ; ^ Get Unique Movie Shots With LOW COST LENSES THEY'RE STILL AVAILABLE . . NEW . . But Edges Very, Very Slightly Chipped FREE Big 10-Page Idea Booklet With Every Set! 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