Kinematograph Year Book 1942 (1942)

Film Exhibition and Kinema Technique 229 kinema branches of the Services, either of which is difficult to arrest. Much of these troubles would have been minimised had the C.E.A.seen fit in the early months of the war to institute proper training classes. Suggestions to this effect were made, but nothing came of them, and G.B. and other circuits started their own courses of training. Facilities were offered for the co-operation by independents in the former's scheme, but the response was generally disappointing. A similar negative attitude was adopted by the General Council of the C.E.A. in respect of the establishment of a training course proposed by the Guild of Projectionists. Nor has the N.A.T.K.E. assumed any responsibility for the education of men and women projectionists. Consequently, there exists no uniformity of training except in one or two provincial centres where the local technical institute has catered for specialised instruction of this nature, and even in these instances the interest and co-operation of the C.E.A. members has not, with a few exceptions, approached full collaboration. It is one of the reflections on the Trade's war policy that it has not endeavoured to meet the situation by holding proper training courses, and this lack of interest contrasts sharply with the admirable work being undertaken in two London Polytechnics in the training of men and women projectionists for the Service film units. It has been found that an average of a six weeks' intensive course will produce an operator fully competent to run a projector under supervision. The absence of an official C.E.A. school has been deplored by far-sighted exhibitors who believe a scheme similar in principle to that operated by Paul Kimberley in the last war will be found the only means of satisfactorily dealing with this aspect of our man-power problem. At one time it appeared as though an attempt would be made to recruit from kinemas the projectionists and technicians wanted in the Service, and as a matter of fact, tentative moves were made in this direction, much to the dismay of exhibitors, but the schemes of the various authorities assumed such proportions that it was necessary to establish the training schools already referred to. At the Regent Street Polytechnic the classes are instructed by R. Howard Cricks, F.R.P.S., the eminent technical contributor to the Kine. Assisting the instructors are N.C.O.s who were formely chiefs, sound engineers with studio projectionists. The male trainees are mainly engaged upon 35 mm. projection, both static and mobile.. Women students are handling the 16 mm. N.A.T.K.E. — A strenuous year's work is again recorded by Tom O'Brien and the Executive of the N.A.T.K.E., which has successfuly watched the interests of its members in Service and in employment and has effected a satisfactory solution of the dilution problem. Although taking a strongly individualistic line wherever the occasion warranted it, the Union has lent its powerful support where the good of the Industry or the welfare of the employees is concerned to the many representations made to the Government by the C.E.A, the A.C.T., and other organisations whenever they have had to contact the appropropriate Ministries. One notable success of the N.A.T.K.E. was the conclusion of an agreement for the doubling of the war bonus from the original figure of 1\ per cent. This action was precipitated by an agreement on similar terms with Odeon Theatres. This raised a storm of protest among the C.E.A. branches, although the outcome justified the attitude of the Union Executive, who succeeded in their rigorous demand for the treatment of the whole question of wages and conditions of kinema employees upon a national basis instead of having to deal with each branch in turn. At the end of the year the N.A.T.K.E. gave notice to cancel existing national war bonus agreement, and applied for an increased bonus, which it is believed is intended to secure advances which range from 20 per cent, in respect of wages of £3 and upwards and 25 per cent, below that figure. There is evidence of some opposition to the proposal fiom exhibitors, but it is anticipated that the proposals will be agreed to by the C.E.A.