International projectionist (Oct 1931-Sept 1933)

NEW 3x4 STANDARD APERTURE FOR PROJECTION THEATRE screens will be a standard shape for the first time since sound pictures were introduced, if a proposal favored by a majority of Hollywood studios is adopted by both the studios and the theatres. Improved photographic effects and more eiScient use of the image space on the film are expected to result. The height of all screens will be three-fourths the width, a proportion first established by Edison in 1889 and used until three years ago when the sound track was put at the side of the film and the picture consequently became more nearly square. A majority of the studios have ratified standardizing specifications drawn up by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Theatre practices are now being surveyed, and if the change is found to be practical for a majority of theatres, pictures photographed according to the new dimensions will probably be ready for release by the first of the year (1932). In the meantime, all theatres will be given detailed data from which to make the comparatively slight and inexpensive changes in projector apertures and screen masks which will be necessary to bring about uniformity. Leading Studios Approve Studios which have notified the Academy to date that they are in favor of making the proposed change include: Educational, Fox. Hal Roach, Metro a (ZL Goldwyn Mayer, Paramount Publix, RKO-Pathe, RKO-Radio, United Artists, Universal, and Warner Brothers-First National. The establishment of uniform 3x4 proportions for theatre screens is expected to settle a production difficutly which has vexed studios and theatres since the sound track method of recording was introduced. The studios have had to photograph actors and scenery so that the picture could be shown on an oblong screen in some theatres and on a virtually square screen in others, depending on the method of sound recording used and other mechanical factors. This has frequently resulted in part of the top, bottom or sides of the picture image being cut off the screen. The picture image will be photographed on the film in 3 x 4 proportions as it is to appear on the screen. The sound track will be left on the film as at present, but the frame lines between the picture image will be made wider. Extensive research and study were necessary to secure the exact specifications for the new standard as allowances had to be made for progressive shrinkage in the film stock and the accuracy of registration in cameras, printers and projectors. It was found possible to use the space on the 35 mm. film more effectively than when sound pictures were first intro duced, and the new standard will permit the studios to use four per cent, more area for dramatic action than was possible while variation in theatre screen shapes had to be provided for. The camera aperture proposed is .651 inch by .868 inch, allowing for a theatre projector aperture of .615 inch by .820 inch. Basis for Standardization This is the second step in the standardization of apertures begun by the Academy in 1929. It is made possible now by the decrease in the use of soundon-disc and the increasing number of theatres which use a reduced 3x4 proportional aperture. The original Academy specifications were made to take care of an emergency situation. A large number of theatres using sound-on-film had given up the nearly square Movietone screen shape for mechanical and other reasons and were insisting on using a reduced aperture in 3 x 4 proportion. Consequently the heads and feet of characters were being cut off. since the studios at that 74-4 5 <Of ^OU»0 IRtCK. _^^io I D i p p I I n >: i D I I FIG. 2. PROJECTOR APERTURE The projector aperture dimensions have been stated on the basis of projeciion^on^the-level, as no uniform provision for the keystone effect can be made. The calculations have been carried out with due regard to the fact that in projectors the film is controlled at the right-hand edge FIG 1. CAMERA APERTURE The dimensions indicated provide the maximum aperture which will leave an adequate margin of safety. It should be emphasized, however, that laboratories should print both picture and sound track with the greatest possible accuracy. In the dratving the center line of the right hand side sprocket holes is used as the base center line for calculting all dimensions, since cameras and printers register at this point [16]