International projectionist (Jan 1963-June 1965)

Volume 39 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST October 1964 Number 10 Human and Mechanical . . . Film Mutilators Still at Large by L. A. Pierre In spite of the extensive changes that have taken place in our industrv there are still many contributors to film damage in the mechanical department. One is improper magazine alignment. If the film tends to twist as it leaves the upper reel or leaves the sound head, the magazine needs adjusting. Dam age from this source will appear, after long run. as checked or broken sprocket holes — which in time will lead to trouble. Another cause of film damage is ~ improper tension on reels. The upper reel tension should be onlv sufficient to restrain the film. The takeup reel snould have onlv sufficient tension to start a full reel of film. Any additional tension will shorten the film's life. If the film "sings" on either the pulldown or the holdback sprocket, check first for misalignment or excessive tension. Film sing might also be caused by badly worn sprockets, particularly upper and lower. All sprockets should be carefully checked with a magnifying glass at regular intervals for wear or hook, and replaced if visibly worn. It is inconceivable that some theatres may not have converted to narrow (Fox) sprockets — in which case excessive damage to the film will be caused. All equipment — splicers, footage counters, etc. — should have narrow sprockets. A greater source of film strain is created at the aperture than might be suspected. Better than four tons of pressure are exerted by the intermittent sprocket per hour, with tension at a safe minimum. The addition of one unnecessary ounce to aperture tension would add more than 500 pounds per hour to film and equipment wear. Equipment provided with adjustable tension should be maintained at a minimum possible to avoid picture slippage at the aperture, which would appear as picture jump. A maximum of one pound pull-down pressure should be ade quate for any film. If there are stiil in use projectors without tension adjusting, a method of testing and adjusting tension can be provided upon request. A clean film track is of utmost importance and should be checked frequently. Magazine fire valve rollers are a major source of film damage, and should be inspected regularly to see that accumulated lint and dirt are not preventing their unrestricted operation. Where they are not readily accessible for cleaning, a short piece of film pushed through behind them will usually do a good cleaning job. A piece of dental floss or thread can also be useful in removing dirt that may be hard to dislodge at the roller ends. With all film now fire resistant, fire valve rollers could well be re Exomplc of extreme film abuse. At least four artists hove contributed their efforts. The small scratch in the upper right hand corner should hove been sufficient for all but no, some one hand scribed the circular marks. The large china marker XXX could not have been missed by anyone but obviously the fellow who added the lines thought not. The lines i ■ i I* > continue thorugh 17 frames of picture. It appears to be cue marker made. The large circle a hond in this work. The one small circle appears tc be cue marker made. The large circle is very evidently hand scribed. The scratches ore completely uncalled for. This pattern continued through the entire feature even on fade outs. This splice is unique. Some operator has cat the film just short of meeting then cropped all cornets. A white piece of blan-c film two sprockets long with all corners rounded is then cemented to the back of the film ends. It went through the machine okey but with a grand clatter 4 International Projectionist OctJj 1961