International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1947)

Insuring Successful 16-mm Showings Neglect of the ordinary things, so commonplace as to be almost automatic, can mar a 16-mm showing. Herewith a group of tips on such showings as compiled in booklet form by the Aetna Life Insurance Co. GO to the hotel or club yourself and make a personal inspection of the available rooms. Make sure, first, that the room is large enough to handle comfortably, without crowding, the maximum number expected to attend. As you view the room, visualize in your mind (a) where the audience can best be seated, (b) where the screen should be placed, and (c) where the projector should be located. In this connection, the screen should be placed so that no light can shine directly on it. For example, in a room where a window, in one end of the room, can be "blacked out" only partially — put the screen directly in front of this window rather than on either side. Light from the back will not show through but light on the face will be reflected. In planning the seating arrangement, bear in mind that the first row of seats should never be closer than 10 or 15 feet to the screen. If the showing is to be held in the daytime, can the room be easily darkened? Assuming that in order to darken the room, all windows will be closed and covered, how will this effect the ventilation? If possible, try and obtain a room that is air-conditioned. Check Space and Current Does the room face on a noisy street? Obviously, this should be avoided if possible. Also, avoid rooms with direct sunlight. The darker and quieter the room, the more effective the presentation. Does the room have the proper electrical outlets conveniently located? Most machines operate on A.C. current only. It may ruin a machine which operates on A.C. current only to plug it in on a D.C. line. Therefore, the type of current should be very carefully checked. If the electrical outlets are not conveniently located, it will be necessary to provide extension cords. These should always be obtained in advance. Some cities have ordinances restricting the use of projectors at gatherings unless the location has been inspected. Check on this and, if necessary, obtain a projection permit from the local police or fire department. Make sure that your projector is in good running condition and that it has been inspected since the last showing. Obtain a standard screen in good condition. (A sheet or tablecloth is definitely not "standard"!) For an average audience, a screen 4 by 6 feet is satisfactory. For larger groups, a screen 8 by 11 feet should be used. Arrange to be at the room where the showing is to be made before the scheduled time of the showing. If the meeting is a luncheon meeting, set up the projector before the luncheon starts. Never set up during a meeting. Make all tests before the meeting starts. Projector, Speaker Placement The projector should be placed at the rear of the audience and far enough back so that the picture covers the full screen. It should be placed on a stand high enough to clear the heads of the audience. The screen itself should be placed high enough for people in the back rows to see, but not too high for those in the front rows. The sound speaker should be placed as near as possible to the screen (but not in back of it) and above the seat level (not on the floor!). If you are using a fairly large room, two speakers, one on either side of the screen, should be used. All wires, particularly those leading from the projector to the sound speaker and to the electrical outlet, should be covered, or protected, to prevent members of the audience from tripping over them or accidentally disconnecting them. Run through as much of the film as time will permit before the meeting starts. In addition to giving you a check on your equipment, it will give you a chance to determine how well the room can be darkened and where additional curtains or drapes are required. Focus your machine to give the sharpest possible image. Adjust the sound level for both tone and volume. If there should be low volume, a lot of crackle, hissing or other unusual noises, refer to the instruction book furnished with each projector for assistance in finding the trouble. If the picture and sound are not synchronized, correct the loop made in threading the film to the soundhead. When the best possible sound has been obtained, be sure there is ample volume in reserve, because a room filled with people will absorb more sound than an empty room. Post-Show Procedure After the test run has been completed, clean the aperture gate on the projector, rethread the machine, focus and stop the projector on the fade-in of the opening title. Make sure you have spare bulbs and tubes. If a bulb or tube fails, be (Continued on following page) SIZE OF LENS DISTANCES BETWEEN PROJECTOR AND SCREEN IN FEET 20' 30* 40' SO' 60' 75' 100' V/z" 5'-0" 3 -9" 7'-6" 5-7" 10-0" 7-5" 12 -6" 9'-4" I 5 '-6" I I '-7" 18-8'' 1 3 -9" 25-0" 18 -8" 2" 3-10" 2-10" 5'-8" 4'-3" 7'-6" 5-7" 9'-4" 6'-1 1 " 1 1 -7" 8-1 1 " 14-2" 1 0'-6" 18-9" 1 4'-0" 2Yz" 3'-0" 2'-2" 4'-6" 3'-4" 6'-0" 4'-6" 7-6" 5'-6" 9'-6" 7'-0" 1 1 -4" 8 -6" 15-2" 11 '-4" 3" 2'-6" 1-10" 3'-8" 2-9" 5'-0" 3 -9" 6-4" 4-8" 8'-0" 6-0" 9-6" 7'-0" 12 -8" 9'-5" 4" 1-10" 1'-4" 2-10" 2'-1" 3 -10" 2-10" 4'-8" 3'-6" 5-10" 4-4" 7-2" 5-4" 9'-6" 7'-0" HOW TO GET BEST 16-MM PROJECTION RESULTS Let's assume that we have (1) a room 40 feet wide by 60 long, (2) a standard size screen, 6 feet wide by 4' 4" high and (3) a projector equipped with the standard 2-inch focal length lens. By referring to the chart above, we note that with a 2-inch lens we can place the projector 30 feet from the screen and obtain an image 5' 8" wide by 4' 3" high. This would be perfectly satisfactory so far as the size of image is concerned, but it would place the projector in the middle of the audience — an undesirable spot. We prefer to have the projector in the rear of the room — approximately 60 feet from the screen. So again referring to the chart, we note that at a distance of 60 feet we can obtain an image 5' 10" wide by 4' 4" high (just about the size we want) provided a 4-inch lens is used. But where to get a 4-inch lens? A lens in any standard size can be obtained from most any photographic store on a rental basis. 22 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST • February 1947