International projectionist (Jan 1959-Dec 1960)

film stub, apply an adequate quantity of cement with one stroke of the brush, and clamp the overlapped ends of the film firmly together with even pressure for 10 or 15 seconds. The Checking-Through Process Do not make splices with unwieldly, stiff full-frame overlaps, and do not use cellulose adhesive tape for mending motion-picture film. Film is checked for defects by lightly contacting the edges with thumb and forefinger while rewinding it slowly from one reel to another. A handrewinding set is best for inspection and repair; and the splicing block may be placed between the two components of the set. The hand rewinder may also be used for cleaning soiled film and lubricating new prints or reversal originals. Draw the film slowly through a soft, lint-free cloth (cotton or velvet) moistened with commercial film cleaner, Freon-113, or carbon tetrachloride. Although "carbon tet" is dangerously toxic, it is the ideal cleaning agent for all types of film — black-and-white, color, and magnetically-striped films. Use carbon tetrachloride only in a well-ventilated room. Scrupulously avoid inhalation of the vapor and unnecessary contact of the liquid with the skin. Carbon tet poisoning is insidious, and may result in death days after exposure. Kodak Film Cleaner is completely free from carbon tetrachloride, is equally effective as a cleaner, and highly recommended for all types of film. Proper Cleaning Procedures The cloth moistened with cleaning fluid can be folded over the film and held in the left hand while the right hand is used to operate the rewinder very slowly to permit the liquid to evaporate before the film is wound up into the roll. Change the cloth frequently to avoid possible scratching of the film by accumulated dirt particles.* There should be no concern, when cleaning color film, ii some dye is observed on the cleaning cloth. This dye is only a film surface accumulation and not part of the dye picture image. Old "seasoned" films do not normally require relubrication even after thorough cleaning. The emulsion of new, freshly processed film, however, is relatively soft and benefits by the judicious application of carnauba wax, stearate wax, or beeswax. If beeswax is chosen, cut * While single reels of 16-mm film can be satisfactorily cleaned by following the procedure given here, professional projectionists are cautioned against attempting the much more difficult chore of hand-cleaning reels of 35mm theatre-release films in the projection room. off a piece the size of a pea, break it up into fragments, and dissolve in 4 ounces of tetrachloride or other film cleaner. Allow several hours, with frequent shaking, to dissolve the wax. The wax is applied by the same aforementioned method outlined for cleaning film. The wax remains on the film after the fluid evaporates. Application of the lubricant should be made sparingly to avoid mottling and streaking. (Gentle buffing with a soft cloth will remove any streaking caused by accidental over-application of lubricant.) Film Protection Leaders A long leader of opaque film (black developed film or undeveloped "raw stock") should be spliced to the beginning of each reel. This leader is intended to be used for threading, and it should be replaced with a new leader when it becomes torn through long use or careless threading. A long runout trailer spliced to the end of each reel will protect the last scene in rewinding and cleaning. Undeveloped raw film is ideal for "protection" leaders and trailers because its opaque yellow-white emulsion may be written upon with ink. Each leader and trailer should have inscribed upon it in large letters the following information: 1. Head (or Tail). 2. Sound Film (or Silent Film). (If magnetic track, so state.) 3. Name of Picture. 4. Number of Parts. 5. Part Number. 6. Running Time. Films belonging to the school should be kept in dust-tight cans or boxes and stored in a cool closet. Do not overload reels, and never tighten loose rolls by pulling down on the free end. "Cinched" film is usually scratched film. Q. Can I Continue to Play Reels from my Extensive Two-Track Library with Machines Equipped with the New FourTrack Heads? A. Yes. The two-track system becomes four-track New 4-Track Stereo Tape By HERBERT L BROWN Magnetic Recording Industry Assoc. SPEAK knowingly of "four-track" or "quarter-track" and you are in the wonderful world of stereophonic sound, for those are the terms used to describe the newest advancement of the magnetic tape recording industry to create stereo music. Whether it's called fourtrack or quarter-track it is simply twotrack stereo in one direction and twotrack in the other — a total of four tracks. Think of it as two stereo tracks (played through the tape machine's two electronic channels) multiplied by the two times the one piece of tape runs through the machine. During the first run, only the required two tracks are heard. The other two are silent. The direction of the tape is reversed; the two remaining tracks are played, and the first two are silent. Several Major Advantages This new method of recording offers compactness, economy and functional ease that heretofore has not been possible with tape. An important benefit to the consumer is that the cost of the tape itself is cut in half since the fourtrack process doubles the length of playing time of any tape. Since the tape is played in both directions, no rewind is necessary. All machines wind tape more smoothly on the play-takeup reel, an additional advantage automatically achieved. A number of major improvements within the past two years have made it possible to reduce track width and place four tracks on the quarter-inch tape — and yet maintain the same fine performance possible earlier only with the two-track system. Further refinement in the mechanical aspects of the tape recording machine, more perfect head gaps, as well as improved raw tape and better recording techniques have all combined Only the required two stereo tracks are heard (1 and 3) -the other two tracks are silent RIGHT AMPLIFIER SPEAKER The tape is turned over-and the other two stereo tracks (4 and 2) are played. Tracks 1 and 3 are now silent Schematic of the new fourtrack stereo magnetic tape and how it works. 20 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST NOVEMBER 1959