Journal of the Society of Motion Picture Engineers (1930-1949)

It was concluded, however, that the demonstration of the existence of such a market is no reason to dignify it with a high-quality label. •Film Projection Practice No matter what talent and expense have gone into the preparation of a fine motion picture film, the film must finally be projected with proper skill and good equipment in order to yield the proper end product. Projectionists and equipment manufacturers alike have always recognized this critical importance of high-quality projection, ever since this Committee was first established under the chairmanship of F. E. Richardson in 1928. Many will recall the fervent pleas for good projection practice which were a valued contribution of Mr. Richardson to the Convention sessions of more than a quarter century ago. He was perhaps more responsible than any other person for halting the early practice of referring to the men in the booth as simply "operators," and seeing to it that the more appropriate term "projectionist" came into common usage.6 The torch is presently being carried by Ralph Heacock of RCA, who has recently succeeded M. D. O'Brien of Loew's in this important Chairmanship. A few years ago the word "Film" was added to the name of this Committee, in recognition of the advent of television projection in theaters, and the assignment of this latter aspect to the Committee on Theater Television. The membership of the Committee on Film Projection Practice is presently composed largely of projection equipment manufacturers and theater circuit representatives, although we would like to add more projectionists to this group. An interesting agenda includes revision of the projection room plans, the possible preparation of projection room maintenance instructions, preparation of a proposed standard for arc-lamp mount ing dimensions and the review of three American Standards dealing with projector aperture dimensions, basic projection room and lens dimensions and 35mm projection reels. Films for Television This Committee was first formed early in 1950, in line with the expanding interests of the Society in television fields. Previous to 1950, only two SMPTE television committees were in existence — one on Theater Television and one on simply Television. The latter became unwieldy as interests broadened, and so was divided into three Committees, on Films for Television, Television Film Equipment and Television Studio Lighting, respectively. The Committee on Films for Television is chaired by Dr. R. L. Garman of General Precision Laboratory, and is staffed by film, equipment and television studio representatives. The committee is concerned with the special problems of film as used in television, and has been especially active in the field of "Television Test Films"7 which has presented some very difficult problems, and in the preparation of a "New All-Pur pose Film Leader"8 by a very capable and energetic subcommittee led by C. L. Townsend of NBC. Other projects include a study of the problems concerned with pictorial quality of films for television use, and a study along with other Committees of the long-standing problem of 16mm emulsion position.9 The reference noted should be consulted by those interested in this problem. The television picture and sound problems arising from the indiscriminate use of film for projection with emulsion sometimes facing the light source and sometimes the lens, was thoroughly discussed during the October 1951 Convention in Hollywood.10 It was agreed then that it is up to the purchaser to specify and pay for the emulsion position he wants, and some television studios F. T, Bow ditch: Engineering Activities 165