International projectionist (Jan-Dec 1935)

July 1935 INTERNATIONAL PROJECTIONIST 17 will turn as easily with a 2000' reel as the present 4 to 1 geared rewind turns with the 1000' reel. It is recommended that all new rewinds purchased be geared in a 2% to 1 ratio. 3. Shipping Cases. Features will be released on 2000' reels, — short subjects and newsreels will continue to be released on the 1000' reels until the supply of these reels and cases is exhausted and all equipment is converted to the new standard. An initial expenditure for sufficient new 2000' reel shipping cases to handle the feature release of each exchange will be necessary, but the expendable character of this item will permit the greater portion of the necessary expenditure for cases to be charged over a period of time, inasmuch as the new 2000' cases will be used as releases come out on the longer reels, and the 1000' cases already on hand may be used for old releases which may still be sent out on 1000' reels, and for short subjects, news-reels, etc. 4. Reels. The reel has been designed for maximum efficiency, at minimum expense. With the release of feature product on a 2000' reel, the entire character of the reel problem as relating to the exchange is altered. There will be no necessity for the theatres to transfer the film from the shipping reel to a theatre reel unless such procedure is particularly desired by the projectionist or theatre management. All doubling will be eliminated. During the consideration of the 2000' reel, all reel manufacturers were consulted and specifications for the reel were submitted for comment and suggestion. In this manner, in addition to the knowledge and experience of those of the industry who cooperated in the project, the combined technical knowledge of the designers and engineers engaged in the manufacture of reels was utilized, and the specifications for the 2000' reel as finally evolved seem to be, in the judgment of the Reel Length Subcommittee and the Research Council, the best possible from all standpoints. Costs No More Than Formerly A primary limitation that the 2000' reel, if it were to be finally adopted, must be so designed that the weight and cost of the larger reel should not be more than double the cost of the 1000' reel was set up. The recommended reel is well within this limitation. Tentative prices submitted by the manufacturers indicate that the new reels may be purchased for somewhat less, in most cases, than double the price of the 1000' reel, although a definite price of course depends mainly upon the quantity of reels purchased. However, there will be no additional cost for reels as a result of the change in reel size, because of the fact that the total number of reels used will be half the number formerly purchased. It is recommended that the companies purchase only reels meeting the Research Bushing i"v iF Keyway 24 G. Section B-B Detailed drawing showing specifications of Academy's proposed industry standard for 2000-foot film reel Council specifications which are a part of this report. Editorial The adoption of a 2000' reel will result in considerable saving in time and expense in the cutting department, due to the fact that approximately half of the number of reel end changeovers will be necessary. The editor assemblying a feature production is now faced with the necessity for finding a satisfactory changeover approximately every 1000'. With the 2000' reel in use, the end of the first 1000' will be made as a direct cut, for although the reel will be processed in its present 1000' length, it will be spliced to the second 1000' of the picture and the two will be projected as a unit in the theatre. It will thus only be necessary to find a projection changeover at the end of what now corresponds (with the presently used 1000' reel) to reels 2, 4, and 6. In order that maximum savings may be achieved, however, it should be emphasized that each half of the 2000' reel should be kept up to maximum length. Feature productions should be so edited that they will reach the theatre in the least number of reels, and in no event should the total length of any reel be less than 1700 feet. Specifications of Academy Reel The reel shall have an outside diameter of 15% inches, a hub diameter of 5 inches, and an inside clear width of 1V2 inches. The center bushing shall be of such size as to provide an easy fit on all standard 5/16 inch diameter rewind and projection machine spindles, and shall have a % by % inch keyway. An access hole for threading shall be provided in each flange adjacent to the film slot, having a minimum diameter of 3 inches, and located as shown on the drawing. The size and position of lightening holes in flanges shall be optional except that the reel must have an acceptable running balance. Constructional Details The reel shall be constructed of No. 24 USS gage [.025"] (except the hub which shall be constructed of No. 20 USS gage [.0375"]) with rib heights and rolled edges of dimensions as shown on the drawing except that thinner gages and slightly greater rib heights may be used for economy of construction, provided such design makes up into a reel of equivalent stiffness in the flanges to the one of specified dimensions. A thin gage which might permit denting of the ribs during use but which at the same time would maintain the essential working dimensions of the reel would be acceptable. The reel shall be entirely free from raw edges on all portions which come in contact with film or the hands. All hand openings and the outer edge of flanges shall be rolled. Flanges shall have an embossed spot near the periphery opposite the opening, adjacent to the threading spot as shown at "A" on the drawing. Reel flanges shall have a sufficient area of flat contact surfaces on the inside to provide ample bearing for the edges of