Home Movies (1946)

• G-oo.es I" 'op arc Do"om fitsrges of roll film developing tank reel holds film. Small wedges of rubber secure film in place. "Free" flange loaded with film is inverted and placed on core above stationary flange and the complete unit then placed within the developing tank for processing. The Easj Way Of Developing Title Films 1LTHOUGH titles and titling have been discussed pro and con within these pages for years, a random poll of movie amateurs over a period of time reveals that, of all the phases of title making, the chore of developing the title film remains the greatest stumbling block. In many cases the developing procedure was believed too complicated to attempt, and the making and developing of home made titles consequent!}never begun. First, the reader should be assured that developing title film is as simple as developing a roll of snapshot film — the procedure is practically the same. Indeed, for many, it is far more complicated and tedious to compose and letter titles than it is to develop the film — that is, to develop it to a negative in the "direct positive" system of title making in which positive film is used, ^"ith this system, the title cards are white and the text lettered with black ink. Then the title film is developed to a negative — which is the extent of the developing process — values are reversed and the titles appear black with the lettering white. To attempt reversal of title films is, of course, more complicated but, except for Kodachrome titles, there is little reason to make black and white titles on the more costly reversal film when those photographed on positive film, properly exposed and developed, will prove equally satisfactory. Positive film may also be used for making titles for a Kodachrome picture, by tinting and or toning the film to lend a contiasting color complementary to the Try This Speedy Method, Using A Roll Film Developing Tank That Accommodates 10 Feet of 16mm. Film; Develops Without Fuss or Muss Kodachrome film. But that is an additional story, one too lengthy to include here. Developing one's own title film immediately suggests developing racks, trays, drying drums, etc., similar to the array of equipment usually employed b) the amateur in processing reversal movie films. But developing titles derr ands none of this — only a simple piece of equipment, readily available from camera stores and perhaps already one of your possessions if you dabble in still photography. I refer to the roll film deseloping tank similar to the one shown in the accompanying photos. I use this tank for developing all of my title films of short length. , The tank, originally designed to accommodate roll film from the 3 5 mm. to the No. 620 sizes, is easily converted to use for lengths of 16mm. film. The inside surface of the top and bottom flanges of the reel are grooved, spiralling progressively from the outside rim to the center. In the darkroom I merely thread my exposed title film between the grooves, cinching it in place with small bits of rubber placed between sides of grooves and the film. For the rubber sections, I withdrew the wires from a section of common "duplex" or "midrip" electric cord such as used in house M hold extension cords for floor lamps, etc. Five feet of 1 6mm. film may be coiled around the grooved area of each flange. Thus, a total of lo feet of 1 6mm. film may be developed at one time — ideal for short titling jobs. To obtain best results with positive film for titles, one should use a contrasty developer such as Eastman's D-8 01 D1 1 . If you do not wish to mix your own chemicals you can obtain prepared formulas in powder form at any photo shop. For those who prefer the more contrasty developers, the following formulas and directions may be followed for good results. Simply take 2 parts of stock formula, mixed as below, and add i part water. Develop film about 2 Yz minutes with the developer at 65 degrees Farenheit. • Continued on Pag^e 2}0 "PROLOGUE TO EVENING" is title of photo on opposite page from the camera of J. William DuVall of Kansas City, Mo. Here is an excellant title background for a home movie on almost any subject. Water colors may be used to add soft pastel sunset tints to the picture for a Kodachrome title. 198