Home Movies (1943)

HOME MOVIES FOR NOVEMBER nn workshop , u center on cardboard by ruling lines from corner to corner. Next draw vertical and horizontal center lines as shown in illustration. When this is done, lay a ruler along the horizontal line and place pen and ink marks every quarter of an inch. At the inch points, ink in the figures i, 2, 3, etc. Follow the same procedure on the vertical line. Numbers on both lines should start at the center and continue out toward margins. With these markings completed on the chart, fix loaded camera to titler base and bring it up close to title board so end of lens barrel touches chart. Adjust camera until the lens is centered on cross lines of chart. Return camera to shooting position and expose about two feet of film. Develop film and when dry, project it to determine if camera was accurately centered. If further compensation must be made, the amount camera must be adjusted to right or left or up or down on the titler base can be determined from comparing the numerals on the exposed film with those within area of title centering chart. — ■ M. S. Cashman, New York City. COAT HANGER Film Drying Rack Here is a sketch of the home made gadget I am now using for drying my 8mm. film after processing. This gadget will hold 25 feet of film. It consists of a wooden dress hanger drilled to take lengths of wire, the ends of which are shaped into hooks. The wire used is thin enough to fit the sprocket holes of the film so that the film may be hung on the hooks through the sprocket holes, as shown. There are five wires in all which pierce the hanger at the quarter, half, and three quarter marks as well as at either end, and they alternate in length. The end and middle wires are 12 inches in length and the other two are 6 inches in length. — G. F. Ecker, Bridgeville, Del. €hxUitttm Black and White Titles When using regular reversal film for titles instead of positive, it is not always easy for the unskilled amateur to letter titles with white ink on black title cards. To overcome this, I lettered my title cards with black ink on white bond paper. Then I put the cards (actually sheets of white paper) into an ordinary photographic printing frame and made prints from these "paper negatives" on cheap contact paper. When the prints were developed, I had a series of title cards with pleasing dark grey backgrounds with the title text in white as illustrated here. Care must be taken to allow exactly the same amount of exposure time for each title in order to insure that all title cards will be consistent in tone. — Bob Snow, Peoria, 111. Projection Screen A good projection screen suitable not only for showing moving pictures but also stills and color transparencies is of recognized value for display purposes, but the cost is sometimes prohibitive. A practical screen for such purposes, however, can be prepared with comparatively little expense by the use of either of the following glycerine-containing coating compositions applied on suitable fabrics: 1. Glycerine 1 lb. White glue 1 lb. Zinc oxide (good quality) 2 lb. Hot water 1 gal. Apply while hot. The fabric should be stretched on a smooth surface during the coating and until dry. One gallon will cover a screen 10 feet square. 2. Stick glue l/2 lb. Glycerine l/4 lb. Zinc oxide 1 lb. Hot Water 1 gal. Melt glue in hot water, add the glycerine and thoroughly stir in the zinc oxide. Apply hot with a large brush to PAGE 363 gadget*, trick* & shortcut* contributed bg CinebugJ the stretched screen and let dry before removing from the stretcher. The screen may be rolled without breaking or cracking and gives very good detail. — Edw. Glazer, New York City. Spot-Floodlight Accompanying sketch shows an inexpensive home-made photoflood unit made from two metal sauce pans and a t:n cup, plus a few odds and ends to be found around any workshop junkpile. The tin cup was soldered over a hole cut • Continued on Page 3 Bo WAN TED Home Movies wants to hear from amateurs who have successfully converted silent projectors to sound; who have built auxiliary sound heads for 16mm. silent projectors. Please give full description in first letter and if possible accompany letter with comprehensive sketches or photographs showing as much detail as possible. Material that can be utilized in a full length article will be paid for at usual rates. Short items accompanied by illustrations that can be used in this department showing workable auxiliary 16mm. sound heads will reward the contributors with sets of projection reels.