Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1919)

2SU (Equipment Service) Motion Picture News New Goerz Amber Celluloid Blade Round Dissolve AXOTHER addition to the Goerz Dissolve Effect Devices is the Goerz Amber Blades Dissolving & Vignetting Device, similar to our well known Goerz Round Closing Dissolving Device, but instead, as the name indicates, of the steel diaphragm leaves, as employed in the regular device, is furnished with amber colored celluloid diaphragm blades. These blades do not shut out the light entirely, when the shutter is closed, but give the finished picture (positive) the effect of a scene taken on a foggy day. When the amber diaphragm is opened up for a certain spot or vignette, the picture taken through the free opening will be exposed correctly while the portion covered by the celluloid leaves will be underexposed. The finished picture (positive) will show a darker circle around a perfect exposed picture, through which the action in the picture can still be seen. It will have the appearance of a spotlight and is for this very reason often also called spotlight effect. Not this effect alone can be obtained, many other pleasing effects may be obtained by the use of the sliding base, or the Regular Goerz Round dissolve in connection with the Amber Dissolve, by use of an intermediate adapter. One can make double exposed circles, circle dissolves or corner dissolves or use both devices alternately. In short, there is a new field opened for the inventive cameraman. ALTHOUGH Goerz is the manufacturer of a number of devices for use in professional cinematography, space forbids a lengthy description of the entire line at this time. Two will be mentioned — the Round Closing Dissolving and vignetting device and the Double Exposure Attachment. Round Closing Device The Round Closing Dissolving and Vignetting Device is shown in the illustration with its hask box attachment removed and mounted on a Bell and Howell Front Vignetting attachment. This Double Exposure Device device is especially designed for use on B. & H. cameras and has proven to be a marked success. The B. & H. Vignetting attachment is clamped under the tripod tilt and is the same as is furnished bj' the B. & H. company. In place of the extension tube, Goerz furnishes a short tube for the vignetting attachment and the cost of this tube is included in the price of the sliding base. Double exposures have become so common that the cinematographer must have a double exposure device in his kit for use when called upon. The Goerz device is mounted on an extension tube and sliding base together with Round Dissolving and Vignetting Device and Mask Box Attachment. This device may be attached to any make of camera which is already fitted with the other devices just mentioned. The double exposure device is a separate attachment which is interchangeable with the Goerz square closing Dissolving Device. B, & H. Cinema Equipment IN line with the established policy of the Bell & Howell Company of supplying motion picture machinery par-excellent to the producer and laboratory man, the ensuing year holds promise of important developments of far reaching consequence to the industry in general and the contemplated user of cinema machinery in particular. The engineering facilities of this organization are ever on the alert for improvements and additions to the already staple line and are constantly showing material results of these assiduous research efforts by effecting minor changes that contribute toward the betterment of the apparatus. Starting twelve years ago with the manufacturing of projection machines in view, it was soon found that the needs of the producer were more urgent and afforded a more fertile field for the inventor and pioneer laying the foundation of the industry. The feasabilitj' of this charge was soon proven conclusively by the increasing demand for the first machine made which was the perforator and from that period to the present time the inability of the manufacturers to keep pace with the steadily increasing demand stands as an undisputed tribute to their meritorious qualities. The development to the present magnitude while meteoric in the extreme is only characteristic of many other successful units involved in the art of picture making. This can all the more truly be said of the production end as is evident by the rapid strides made in story construction and along directorial lines in the astonishing short space of a few years. The days when the five hundred foot comedy was the headliner and the novelty of the science held sway with one's imagination seems onjy a fortnight ago and in contrast to this is the silent drama of today, a complete entertainment in itself instead of a filler in between performances. During this period of development there was an unmistakable difference between the circumstances surrounding the efforts of the producer and those interested in the mechanical side of the industrj-. Obviously, both had to consider the ultimate consumer which from the producer's standpoint was the public. If one production slightly exceeded its predecessor in tenacity of plot or thrilling climax, its superiority was immediately acclaimed by the public, in most cases before the final print left the cutting room. But, had the manufacturers of machinery such a ready audience or such buoyant influences? He first had to pass through an expensive experimental stage and after finally marketing the product was required to enlist all the available gray matter to impress on his prospective customers, the producer, what was needed in the way of economical equipment. This idea of ecenomy was difficult to convey owing to the apparent enormous returns for a picture and its resultant effect on the makers, whose sweet dreams of sudden prosperity completely eclipsed the basic principle, namely, that of cost regulation which had to be considered first. However, thanks to the sound minded builders of the industry who held to the more conservative business methods and alwaj-s had one eye on "economy-in-the-making." In keeping with this the high degree of efficiency and the parts played hy Bell & Howell apparatus along the entire line from the making of the picture with the camera and including perforators, printers, splicing and measuring machines hold an undisputed place in contributing to the final makeup of the completed picture. This entire line is so well known that little need be said other than a slight perusal of their important features, many of which are of recent addition. {Continued on page 298) I Fulco Predicts Great Year THE E. E. Fulton Company, under the able guidance of E. E. Fulton and his sons, Carl, L. M. and Ralph, widely known to the moving picture world as the " Fulco Four," is closing a year of splendid achievement and is looking forward to even greater things in 1920. The father and three sons work together like parts of a well oiled machine and have made themselves famous for service and their close personal touch with the trade. Despite the expansion of their plant during 1919, orders are piling up faster than they can be filled, and equipment to further expand the capacity of ihe Fulton factory has been ordered for the new .\ear, much of it to be rushed by express. New lines are being continually added, and it is the intention of the E. E. Fulton Company ultimately to manufacture and supply everything in the accessory field, except projection machines and generator sets. Work is now progressing on new accessories of great interest to the moving picture industry as a whole, and some surprises are promised in the near future. Among the improvements to be made shortly after the new year is the installation of an up-todate display and demonstrating floor, showing fireproof booths, machines, Speedco arc controls, and all of the numerous devices being manufactured by the Fulton Company. The chemical department also will be enlarged to meet the demand for its various products, including their famous cement. Mr. E. E. Fulton, who is one of the veterans of the moving picture industry and one of the leaders in safety propaganda, speaking of developments of the past year, said he was impressed with the awakening of theatre men to the necessity of safeguarding the public by purchasing the best equipment, even going further than required by the local ordinances in many cases. Another forward step made by the exhibitors is their realization of the necessity of the finest possible projection, as is evidenced by their willingness to spend money freely to secure it. Mr. Fulton does not pose as a prophet, but believes that the best year in the history of the moving picture and accessory industrj^ is ahead of us, and is clearing the decks for action at his plant in order to keep up with the demand for Fulco products which he foresees. A Slide Container D. R. S., St. (Catherine, Ont. : Am sending you a question about how to obtain better results on A. C. I also have a good little idea for keeping slides. The bottom and front are carved out to allow slide to pass through. Car\-e a little out of the bottom so you can get your forefinger under slide to pull it out. The box I have sketched here is a double one for two sets of slides. Reply : D. R. S. sent a sketch which might have been reproduced but seems to us to be hardly necessary because of the clearness of his description. A scheme of this sort should find ready use in a large number of projection rooms where, at the present time, slides are thrown around and laid about without systeqj. D. R. S.'s questioB on A. C. was answered at length several weeks ago while the News was being published in the smaller size. If he did not see the answer we will repeat it in some future issue.