International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1954)

Keeping In Step With Progress By W. L. JONES Vice-President, Technical Products Service Division RCA Service Company, Inc. wOME 28 years ago sound entered the motion picture field. The new "talkies" were eagerly accepted by both patrons and exhibitors alike. Never in view of the paying public, but always responsible for the operation and performance of theatre sound, was that indispensable man — the theatre projectionist. As new developments in sound and projection were adopted, the projectionist kept pace with the new techniques in theatres across the nation and throughout the world. And with him were the trained field engineers of RCA Service Company. Working together, the projectionist and the RCA field service engineer played a proud role in the success to which theatre sound and projection has risen through the years. Exhibitors know that without the cooperation of these two groups of theatre folk, a tremendous industry may have never developed to its present status. The small group that began making service calls on theatres more than 25 years ago when the first batteryoperated systems were used, has developed into one of the finest service organizations in the country — the Technical Products Department of RCA Service Company. The old-time serviceman, armed with a few simple tools, has become a thing of the past. Today his place has been taken by thoroughly trained experts equipped with the most modern test equipment and tools. Nation-Wide Engineering Service The rate of technical development and changes in the motion picture industry has been so rapid that only an organization having properly trained personnel can keep abreast of the developments and keep the field engineers properly informed. The home office in Camden, N. J. forms the nucleus of RCA's service organization. Through these headquarters, the operation of the company's 11 field oflEces are coordinated. The strategic location of the district offices makes possible the placing of men and material anywhere in the United States in as short a time as is humanly possible. At the home office a technical staff prepares and distributes technical information to a nation-wide field force. Keeping in touch with research and design engineers and other outside technical organizations, this group acts as a clearing house for problems submitted by field engineers. Solutions to all problems concerning theatre sound activity is not only sent directly to the engineer requesting it, but is disseminated to everyone in the field force. Fully trained and experienced field service engineers and good supervision are a prerequisite for efficient service operation. Field personnel are brought into the home office for additional technical training. Nothing is left to chance, and once a problem is submitted, it is tracked down to its ultimate successful solution. Strategically Located Field Offices Responsible for activity in the field are eleven offices across the nation. Field engineers report to district managers in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Atlanta, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Chicago, Kansas City, Dallas, San Francisco and Los Angeles. In addition, there are supervisors in the districts and a staff of administrative Left: From this compact control and monitoring' rack, occupying a relatively small amount of space in the projection room, the projectionist operates the instantaneous theatre Tv system, used to present full-sized Tv iinag°es on the theatre screen. The optical unit which projects the Tv program is mounted on the front of the balcony. Bight: RCA service techniques keep pace with the latest developments. Shown is a field service engineer degaussing the soundhead used for four-track magnetic sound. I. A. CONVENTION EDITION • July 1954