Home Movies (1946)

IMIILZ^ Trouble shooting On Home Film Processing Procednre Faulty Processing Is Easily Corrected To Insure Top Quality Screen Images ALMOST any hobby or activity offers a measure of obstacles that must be overcome before proficiency is acquired, and processing movie film is no different. While the beginner may be fairly satisfied with his initial attempts at processing, eventually he will strive for perfection and this means determining the causes of and finding the cure for a number of irritating bugaboos that show up on the screen as stains, dirt, water marks and uneven density on the film. One of the most troublesome of bugaboos is light flashes. These appear during projection in no regular pattern and thus a clue to the cause is difficult to find. The film appears with areas of varying density alternating between light and dark, sometimes only on the right side, then on the left, occasionally on both sides simultaneously. In searching for the cause of this particular trouble, I have spent many hours in search and experiment. Every article of equipment, from safelight to processing drum as well as the film, came in for its share of blame before I finally discovered the cause is uneven development. M The critical step in processing movie film is the first developer. It is absolutely necessary to attain perfection at this stage of the process in order to achieve perfection of the screen image. Since density of the image varies according to the length of time film is in the developer, we must be sure to subject it to the developer solution for the correct time specified in the processing formula. Now, if for any reason, some areas of the film are exposed to the developer longer than the others, there will be variation in the image density. A great many amateurs use the open reel of the "squirrel cage" type as support for the film during processing. With this type of support it is possible to achieve excellent results, provided a definite routine is established and the processor understands the limitations involved. When the film is wound upon the reel, the first step, before subjecting film to the first developer, is to presoak it for two minutes in a fresh water bath to which a few drops of chemical "wetting agent" has been added. In this way the film is better prepared to receive the developer and HOME MOVIES FOR JULY • Uneven development is prime cause of most inferior jobs of home film reversal. Improper handling of film, of course, will cause stains, blotches, etc., that readily show up when film is screened. particularly to make it possible for the film to be acted upon by the developer more evenly. Thus an important step toward eliminating uneven development is taken. I recently had occasion to inspect a reel of film which was prominently marked by uneven development that resulted from pouring a concentrated developer into the tank while the film was within it. There were splotches on either edge of the film extending irregularly toward the center. To avoid this particular processing failure, it is advisable to follow the formula implicitly, not to use too concentrated a developer, and to pour solutions into the tank as uniformly as possible. Another way in which uneven development may occur is where the operator stops the reel momentarily to inspect the image or to adjust tension of the film. When the reel stops, that part of the film which is submerged in the solution develops at a faster rate than that which is not. A section of each turn of film around the reel will have greater density than the rest of the film, showing up on the screen as alternate light and dark areas or "flashes." There is a second action takes place when the reel is stopped. This occurs when the solution, which adheres to the film, runs back into the tank, and as the film curls slightly the tendency will be for the solution to run back down the middle of the film between the sprocket holes. This, of course, means longer developing for that section of the film and consequent darkening of that area. Should the process reel be stopped several times during first development a decided uneveness will be apparent and the results highly unsatisfactory. This points up the importance of developing by time and temperature. Determine the temperature accurately, decide upon the correct time, and keep the r:el turning from instant the developer is poured into tank until the end of the wash following first development. Should you wish to inspect the film image it is entirely feasible at this stage of the processing. If inspection should indicate longer development is necessary, pour in the developer again and subject film to it again for another • Continued on Page 429 HAROLD M. LAMBERT made this typical summer photo that suggests an ideal pictLire background for the main title of summer, travel and vacation films. Simply arrange title text over photo and shoot at a distance of thirty inches. Non-focusing cameras may require use of a ) .25 diopter supplemental lens. 400