International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1940)

machine. We believe that 16 mm. projection machines for the future will be fitted with our attachment for opaque projection. For schools, auditoriums, churches, etc., metal film will mean absolute safety, superior projection, low costs for the film and unusual economy because of long life and permanence. • Image Sound Quality To return to the major motion picture field, the greatest number of questions centered on the quality of the image. Sound constituted the second leading question; and the third most important was: "What changes of equipment, technique, etc.?" To the first question we should explain that an accurate photographic sound track on a smooth fine-grained highly reflective surface is a finer medium for sound reproduction than cellulose. In the celluose film the light is refracted in various directions while passing through the cellulose stock. It is well understood that background noises and lack of definition in sound is the basic reason why cellulose acetate film is not in general use, even with is safety factors. With the metal film the beam of the exciting lamp is concentrated on the sound track at an angle of 25 degrees. The reflected light from the one-mill, slit passes through two condensing lenses to the photo-electric cell. The rest of the sound system is standard equipment. The sound track on metal gives a clear sound reproduction free from fuzzyness and distortion. The fact that the light beam is reflected direct from the sound track without any interference is the reason for superior sound reproduction in the higher cycles. A study of the last article together with the reproduction of the reflection test answers the quesion how first-class images are secured on the screen. It must be remembered that the highlights of the picture are the reflected light from the metal surface. This surface may give specular reflection or a diffused reflection, in the same manner that projection screens give specular or diffused reflections. The surface of the metal may be treated to give both types of reflection. The shadow of the picture is the absence of reflected light in the same manner that the shadow is the absence of light by transmitted projection. We have thus only the fine gradations of tone between the highlight and the shadow for consideration. In theory it would appear that we would lose detail because of the fact that the light must .pass through the photographic emulsion to the deflecting surface and then back through the emulsion. It was supposed that this double passage of the light through the emulsion would affect our reproduction of the middle tones. We find in actual projection that the middle tones are rendered as accurately on the screen from opaque film as from cellulose film. The question of scratching the image has occurred frequently. We might briefly say that the image may be hardened to any extent on metal, as the chemical reaction is only concerned with the emulsion, the metal not being affected by this group of chemicals. It should also be made known that tough transparent baking lacquers may be used on metal without affecting projection qualities. With the projection gate properly adjusted, we have not experienced scratching after prolonged use with metal film. @ Projection Optical System Some readers still will be anxious to know what optical system was finally adopted in our first machine. We have reduced this to two reflecting surfaces plus the objective lens. This was possible only because the metal will stand high temperature, together with a mirror that has withstood the direct rays of the lamp for many operating hours without deteriorating. In short, the light is reflected from the carbons direct to a mirror, from the mirror to the metal film at the projection gate, then from the lens to the screen. We have thus eliminated the two condensing surfaces. The mirror that we use gives us a reflection of 90 per cent. The actual light reaching the film is thus much higher than the light passing through the celulose film. The shutter and other factors on the machine are standard. 9 Color Reproduction It should be noted here that high intensity of light reflected upon the film predicts unusual reproduction for color. We have projected some color film, and we believe that with the cooperation of this section of the industry we will be able to show results with metal color film superior to nitrate film, with the U. S. Home-Defense Idea Projectionist members of I. A. Local 440, St. John, N. B., have joined the Canadian Home Defense militia as searchlight operators. Two mornings each week are devoted to training, in uniform, in handling the big searchlights mounted atop buildings. Here's an idea for other projectionist units in connection with current U. Si defense plans. added features of an almost third-dimension effect. We are preparing emulsions in the laboratory for experimental three-color film on 35 mm. film. In conclusion we believe that we have established for all time the fact that metal film and the projection of metal film is now an accomplished fact. We submit that we have proved beyond any doubt the efficiency and economy possible in metal film. We realize that our path has been a lonesome one and our progress has been slow and painful. The birth of our research dates further back than the inception of the motion picture industry. We have had little or no encouragement from scientists or technicians in our work. We feel that we have made a major contribution to the technical development of a great industry. We are also justified in believing that we are making a permanent contribution to civilization with the perfection of a dependable permanent photographic film record. The name of the first small company formed twenty years ago was Permanent Records Corp. We have not swerved from our first objective. We set out to develop a process for making permanent records on metal; whether this record might be a film for motion pictures or the reproduction of the lectures by Dr. Albert Einstein did not matter. The final goal was the same in either case. The permanent reproduction of a photographic image on metal at a price compatible with modern commercial requirements marks the end of our research. The commercial development and exploitation we must rest in other hands. SIGNO-MARKER WINS FAVOR That there is a definite need for a device to place clear, accurate standard changeover marks on film, was borne out at the I. A. convention at Louisville, where more than 200 delegates purchased Signo-Markers. After giving this device the most rigorous tests, these delegates found Signo-Marker excellent for eliminating unsightly scratches, punch holes, pencil blotches, etc. on film prints. Signo-Marker places a clear, small circle on one to four frames in the standard dot position, and also outlines hard to see standard marks or places new marks where the originals have been obliterated. Marked by Extreme Simplicity Signo-Marker is . constructed of a cast aluminum template and a hardened tool scriber which can be held in the hand or screwed to the rewind table. Offered at the extremely low price of $2.50, SignoMarker is a piece of equipment that every projection room should have. An illustrated circular is available free to I. P. readers from Clint Phare Products, 282 E. 214 St., Euclid, Ohio. 12 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST