Home Movies (1943)

PAGE 362 Hobby Cabinet Other amateurs may be interested in the manner in which I converted a typewriter stand to a combination workbench, projector stand and storage cabinet for my home movie films and equipment. The stand is a popular type available from most office equipment dealers. Legs are of channel steel and the top is wood or metal with drop sides that can be raised or lowered as required. I paneled in the metal framework with plywood to form a locker for my projector and films and fitted the door with a lock. When stand is used for editing purposes the top extensions are set erect to accommodate extra length of editing board. When used for projection, the extensions are folded down. — ■ Oscar I. Bauer, Chicago. Transitions Unusual transitions from one scene to another can be made by utilizing an object within the scene to produce the fadeout effect. For instance, to close a scene in which a person appears moving toward the camera, have the person walk right up to the camera to "black out" the scene, then stop the camera. To open the next scene with a complementary fadein, start the camera with the lens obscured by another person or object and either pull back the camera 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 duplicate 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 E X P E slowly or have person or object move forward and to one side until the full scene is revealed. An effect of this kind should not be used more than once in a reel. — Eugene H. Fernette, Lowry Field, Colo. Cleaning Splicer Most all splicers become caked with cement and emulsion particles after extensive use at point where splice is made. This accumulation should be removed frequently to insure efficient splices. Use acetone or ordinary finger nail polish remover and rub briskly with a soft cloth. — Jas. Hugerford, Boulder, Colo. HOME MOVIES FOR NOVEMBER mm nm either end provide legs to support the editing board on desk or worktable. — 1 Jack Brockstein, Chicago, III. TOP VIEW 20' GROUND ClASZ Film Editor Accompanying sketches show manner of constructing a low-cost film editor. The base consists of a panel of plywood 20" x 4". A slot yA" wide by 1 y2" long is cut in center of panel over which is cemented a rectangle of ground or opal glass. Over this is mounted an ordinary magnifying glass mounted on supports cf nails driven into the baseboard. A more elaborate arrangement is to purchase a magnifying lens already mounted in a tri-legged support. These are obtainable at most optical supply houses. To guide the film beneath the magnifying glass, wide staples are driven part way into the baseboard at either side of rhe magnifier. The film is then threaded through these staples and under the glass. Splicer and rewinds are next mounted on baseboard to complete the assembly. To provide light beneath the ground glass viewer, mount a short lamp socket beneath the board to the right of the slot. Attach a right angle plug-in night light unit and adjust same so the lamp sets immediately beneath the ground glass. Two three-inch blocks nailed at Film Retainer Now that both rubber bands and scotch tape have gone to war, a new expedient must be found for securing film cn reels after rewinding. Here is an idea that involves something not as yet rationed — ordinary string. Thread a piece of string 8 to 10 inches long through the last three or four sprocket holes in end of film as shown in illustration, knotting one end to hold it in place. After rewinding reel of film, simply draw string down between the coil of film and side of reel. Pressure of reel against film will hold string in place and prevent film from unwinding. — F. B. Coulombe, Santa Monica, Calif. Title Centerer Here is a method for centering titles on home made titlers that provides a sliding base for the camera: Fit a panel of plywood in title card holder and over this tack a sheet of cardboard about 2 inches smaller in size all around. Locate Cf)RV BOARD a i 1 \ 2 ^ 5 4 3 2 1 -i i.i.i.i.i.i.i.i.i.i; 1 2 3 4 5 ,1.1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1 1H 3^ A 2 PLYWOOD