Kinematograph year book (1944)

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176 The Kinematograph Year Book. for,* apart from local amateur work, which will have a domestic appeal, the restricted production budget of this class of picture is unlikely to provide any product that could withstand the competition even of a second feature in the commercial kinema. Yet even before the war the multiplicity of free shows in clubs and other premises constituted a competitive menace which may be resumed in the post-war penod, when it will be more serious to the Trade, as it will be but one of the many alternative amusements and recreations appealing to a strictly limited potential patronage. In these circumstances exhibitors are already discussing the policy to be adopted in the disposal of sub-standard equipment after the war. One move already made by the C.E.A. is to suggest that the sets now under Government control should be handed over to the Education Authorities for the purpose of visual and oral education. Most 16-mm. projectors rely for their light source on the tungsten filament lamp in sizes ranging from 100 to 1,000 watts; the discharge lamp in its more recent developments is, however, very suitable, but for a long throw with large picture size, a satisfactory level of screen brightness can best be procured by the adaptation of the high -intensity carbon arc. A successful unit for "this purpose has been introduced in the U.S. by the National Carbon Co., and includes a D.C. lamp operated through a rectifier for 110-volt single phase A.C. supply with a current demand of less than 15 amps. Standard lenses are 2 in. f/1.6, and 3 in. f /2.O. The 6 mm. by 8 in. positive carbon and 5.6 mm. by 6 in. negative are designed to operate at 30-amps. D.C, with 28 volts across the arc. The burning rate of this trim is approximately one hour. Many of the Bell and Howell installations functioning in this country rely on the carbon arc instead of incandescent equipment. The S.M.P.E. Committee on Non-Theatrical Equ.£rment has recommended certain procedures and conditions to be observed in the presentation of 16-mm. motion picture film to provide a picture that can be viewed to good advantage by everyone present. Among the recommendations made are the following :— (1) Distance of farthest spectator from screen should not exceed six times the width of the screen image. (2) Distance of nearest spectator from screen should not be less than twice the width of screen image. (3) Vie.wing-angle of no spectator should be greater than 30 degrees. (4) Optimum screen brightness, 10 foot-lam berts measured with shutter running but without film. (5) Limits of screen brightnessr not more than 20 foot-lamberts or less than 5 foot-lamberts, measured as above. (6) Colour-temperature of the light delivered to the screen to be in the range from 3,000 deg. to 4,700 deg. K. (7) The use of matte type of screen " in all cases where a projector of adequate illuminating power can be obtained." The report further points out that a 2-in. f/1.6 lens fills the screen at a distance equal to 5 J times the screen width. FILM IN EDUCATION. IN the past the lack of good educational films has militated against the purchase of projectors, and the few projectors available acted prejudicially against the production of the class of films required. After the war there is likely to be large numbers of standard and sub-standard projectors available for educational purposes if the policy of the C.E.A. to divert these equipments to the schools is successful. The suggestion should benefit both exhibitors and educationalists because there have been produced during recent yeais hundieds of sponsored subjects for educational and propaganda use that many will undoubtedly be suitable after re-editing for educational purposes. It does seem opportune, however, to consider a certain measure oi rationalisation of the school syllabus and equipment, and the suggestion that the British Film Institute, in virtue of its enormous experience, should