Journal of the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (1950-1954)

73d Semiannual Convention This Convention reflected the current state of the arts and sciences which are the Society's interest: a great deal of attention to 3-D and panoramic production and exhibition, interest and attention to drive-in theater aspects, and a steady interest in television and high-speed photography. And also perhaps a reflection of the industry today is that the Convention was on the move : 6 of the 1 6 sessions were held away from the Hotel Statler which was Convention headquarters during the week of April 27 through May 2 at Los Angeles. The complete roster of the papers and sessions appears on the last pages of this Journal. Opening the Convention and summarizing much of what was on the minds or in the worries of those attending Monday's Get-Together Luncheon, the Society's President, Herbert Barnett, welcomed the 333 members and guests. Get-Together Luncheon Remarks by President Barnett "... The number of registrations thus far recorded and the gratifying attendance here today would indicate an unusually successful meeting. Several factors are responsible for these interesting prospects. A group of loyal local members have devoted much of their time to assure excellent technical sessions and social functions. Outstanding personalities have generously accepted our invitations to be present and speak to this luncheon session on matters vital to the industry as a whole. Additionally, we are presently experiencing one of the most intensive evolutions motion pictures have known. Not since the advent of sound has greater interest in motion pictures been evident than that which is now brought about through 3-D, widescreen projection, and stereophonic sound. "Motion pictures are front-page news as never before. "Wherever you go, you hear discussions of the so-called new developments and everyone is anxious to see and be convinced that movies are on the way back. "To the engineer this is even more strange in that all these things have been on the shelf for years. Yet it is understandable when we recognize that this industry appears to thrive on adversity. Faith in its future should be restored when one sees ability, as is being displayed today, to pick itself off the floor and come back strong and aggressive — perhaps not exactly the same in all respects, but at least a healthy, successful entertainment medium. "In all this the motion-picture engineer must assume vast new responsibilities and there was never a better opportunity for him to act as a stabilizing element. There is recognizable potential danger in overexploitation and hasty conclusions prompted by competitive ambitions and in the absence of overall industry considerations. The mass exhibition operation as we know it today will face disaster unless uniformity of equipment requirements is maintained — meaning, in other terms, that standardization must be an essential element of these developments. Standardization, not to the extent of stifling progress, but rather progressively to minimize the burdens that fall upon the exhibitor, as the final salesman of any motion -picture production. "The Society stands ready — in cooperation with the Research Council — to offer services of its headquarters staff and its committees as a forum through which appropriate standards can be developed. "We, as engineers, should exert our every influence to convince management and operations people that what has been done is only a start in the direction of improved entertainment value. "To rest on present laurels could very well mean destruction of the vast prospects before us. Present trends should signal research needs this industry has not been aware of before. And in the throes of this new interest in 3-D, wide-screen and the like, we should not overlook the import 732