International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1950)

By M. D. BOATRIGHT The author holds a B.S.E.E. degree, is a charter member of IA Local 817 (Fayetteville, Ark.), has worked as a projectionist, has been a broadcast engineer, and is now an electrical design engineer. He introduces his article by the following imaginary advertisement: WANTED: Top-flight projectionist desires responsible position with steady income. THERE is no doubt that the appearance of an advertisement similar to the foregoing would be almost unheard of at this moment, but it is a grave possibibty that such copy may be commonplace within a short period of time. All of us have noted the ever-increasing tempo of articles and comments concerning the rising popularity of television. A good many of these comments have been coupled with similar information concerning a falling away of interest in motion pictures. A 25 to 50% decline in attendance among those owning Tv sets is not unusual, so we can easily conclude that as Tv sales go up, box office receipts will be reduced by some proportionate amount. Reduction in Theaters, Wages? The inevitable result of lowered receipts must of necessity be some sort of action by the theater owners and managers. Depending upon the amount of cut-back necessary for the owners in order to make ends meet, there will most likely be a reduction in the number of theaters or the number of projectionists (fewer operating hours available), or possibly both. No matter what perspective is taken, it appears that the projectionist will suffer in the form of reduced wages or no wages in some instances. Some projectionists tend to be overoptimistic concerning their future because of certain securities embodied in the IA organization. It should be realized that this security can exist only as long as there is progression in the industry, and further that this progression is up to the individual members themselves. Even a child today is not foolish enough to try to place four pegs in three holes, yet we find supposedly intelligent individuals who reason that three vacancies can be filled by four men. United Craft Action Urged The picture thus painted represents a rather dim view of the projectionist's future, but such speculation is justifiable in view of the present trend and the aloof attitude of the projectionist toward Tv. As a matter of fact, this discussion was precipitated by a recent abstract from the Journal of the Society of Motion Pic ture Engineers which, in speaking of an effort of the SMPE to secure frequency allocations for theater Tv, states: "However, active interest and diligence must be shown in order to obtain allocations and, at the present time (1949) the motion picture industry has shown little interest in television." This lack of interest might be attributed to a lack of previous experience by the industry with competition on such a plane, or possibly to the fact that many do not realize the far-reaching effect of to those who have no Tv sets, or to those who do not have access to a set via friends, restaurants, etc. As this group diminishes, the need for theater Tv will also diminish, and then a new scheme of alliance must be found. It is not without possibility that a solution to this problem could be found by investigating the customer himself. Most Tv set owners who have given up periodic theater attendance have done so, we find, not so much because of the quality of theater programs but more Whither Motion Picture Theatre Audiences? WPIX, the New York News station, is the flagship of one of the largest "celluloid networks" in television. Currently serving 26 stations in 22 cities throughout the country, WPIX has supplied film to as many as 37 video outlets during the past year. WPIX is offering two feature film packages, a group of Westerns now showing on 20 stations; "Film Package No. 3" seen on 15 outlets, and several series of short subjects. "Film Package No. 3" includes such outstanding pictures as "A Star Is Born," "The Beachcomber," and "Wings of the Morning." There are 36 films in the Western package, and 13 in "Film Package No. 3." The recently concluded Korda series of 24 were shown by 22 Tv stations. An average of three hours a week of film is supplied by WPIX to each of the 26 stations. One station takes as much as 5l/2 hours per week. The popular Western series is being re-run by four stations. the Tv industry in altering movie-going habits. Many industries or individuals have most effectively met competition not by ignoring it but by making use of competitive techniques and even absorbing the competition into one organization. Projectionists, as a craft, might be wise to be seeking a scheme whereby the Tv industry will become so closely allied to the motion picture industry that he is an integral part of both. If the projectionist can find some means of employing Tv to expand the motion picture industry, his future will indeed be secure. Home Set Increase Important Several schemes have been proposed to date that more closely ally the two industries, but none has received the needed support to be carried through. Theater Tv has been carried further than most but still leaves a number of things to be desired as far as customer appeal is concerned. This type of program can appeal only because of the convenience of professional, living-room entertainment. Even though a number of Tv programs are comparatively below motion picture standards, there are a large number of people who prefer to accept this difference in order to stay at home. If individuals so much enjoy the convenience of no travel and living room entertainment, then why not bring present day movies into the home — for a price, of course? One method that has been suggested is that of working with the local telephone exchange as a distributing agent. This appears to offer definite advantages and might be possible in the following manner: Distribution via Telephone Each theater in a Tv locality would make use of their present facilities for reaching their present clientele and would install a "beam-splitter" and an iconoscope which would pick up the projected image at its source. The program would be fed to the local telephone INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST • February 1950 11