Motion Picture News (May-June 1921)

3336 Motion Picture News Q-uestions. ArLSwered^ Isolated Power Plants for the Projection of Motion Pictures A Paper by R. L. Lee from the Transactions S. M. P. E. (Concluded from last week) When I first went into this work about the only lighting plant made in any quantities had a capacity of 750 watts. This, of course, limited our activities to very small theatres, the lamps taking 600 watts and with the generator running a surplus of only 150 watts, (jr slightly less, was left over for supplying the battery. If the battery was fully charged we figured that it would be possible with this combination to operate a theatre whose exhibitions lasted onl\ five hours a day or less. You can readil)' see that this combination would be successful only in the smaller or " part time " theatres. We were, therefore, called upon for an outfit which would handle a larger theatre. About this time, 3-KW. 32-volt generator outfits appeared on the market, and it was possible with them and the 600-watt lamp to handle larger theatres, operating an indefinite number of hours a day. Quite a number of these installations were made and from all reports are very satisfactory. Due to the fact, however, that a limit of 9 X 12 was placed upon a possible picture at an 80-foot throw which would be entirely satisfactory, many requests appeared for outfits which would supply projection for larger audiences and theatres. It therefore became necessary to look around for something which would give us more light. We finally decided upon a 6S-volt 3-KW generator with satisfactory battery and with it we could furnish screen illumination, etc., for practically any theatre excepting the larger ones. A number of these installations were made. We found after some practical experience that the light load, motors, etc., of the average theatre would consume enough current from the total output of the plant to leave only sufficient current for a 30-ampere arc. These installations were very satisfactory. Later quite a lengthy discussion between the various lamp engineers was settled and a standard of 30-amperes, 30 volts, or 900-watt incandescent lamp was decided upon. We found that this lamp when properly installed and focused, would give us illumination equal to the 30-ampere direct-current arc. We therefore began to lose interest in the arc due to inconvenience in adjusting, etc., and concentrated in force on the 30-ampere incandescent lamp. This brings us up to the present time. At present, some difficulties are being experienced with the 30-ampcre, 900-watt lamp, and it is my opinion that we had better go slowly until the lamp engineers give us their O. K. upon it. I have given a brief history of my personal activities in this business and as a result of this experience, there are several principles which have been fortunately brought to my attention and which it seems to me are very important to the success of any engineering activitj'. As the only way through which the fruits of engineering may finally pass to a greater utility is through the sales force, it appears to me that the junction between engineering and sales activity is one of the most important points in any business. The salesman studies human nature and methods of overcoming prejudices and of painting pictures in the minds of his prospects and of creating a desire for the thing which he is selling. I have heard it said that if five per cent of what we sell some one else is actually digested, we are working very efficiently. In putting in the 95 per cent from my experience, I would say that there is a great temptation for the average salesman in his enthusiasm to stretch certain facts a certain amount and unintentionally make claims for apparatus which cannot be substantiated. On the other hand, I would say that it is. very easy for an engineer, when he is attempting to solve a certain problem, to get certain predetermined results, to coax the figures around a little bit toward the right direction and by accurately setting his apparatus, eliminate every feature which may detract from the maximum results and not considering that the fellow who uses this apparatus will know comparatively nothing about it, and will finally arrive at a figure entirely too high in relation to the actual performance of the apparatus. When he turns these figures over to the salesman, who adds a little more on for good measure, the customer will be disappointed in the results he secures, and it seems to me that there is nothing more discouraging to the salesman, manufacturer, and every one connected with the project than to have a number of dissatisfied users. In fact, all the sales activity ir. the world attempting to combat this feature: would result in failure. I therefore believe that it is to every one's advantage, even though we are all keyed up with enthusiasm and have accomplished wonderful things, to deal rather conservatively rather than to overestimate the results of our activities. The salesmen, with whom I come in contact, are interested in many types and kinds of ap paratus. It is therefore impossible for them to become experts in any one particular line. However, so that they may be able to understand the fundamentals of projection, I supervised the writing of a booklet made up almost entirely of diagrams and illustrations showing just what may be expected from isolated lighting plants in connection with projection. I have made a number of these illustrations into slides and will now show you an attempt to educate in a very simple manner, these salesmen. Well Finished Steel Lined Projection Room Important Feature of New Victoria Wilmer and Vincent Believe in Safety and Efficiency in Theatre Construction Embodied in the construction of the new Victoria theatre, just completed by the Wihner & Vincent interests in Harrisburg, Pa., is an arrangement of projection booth and screen equipment which is regarded by S. R. Filson, the house manager who, incidentally, is an experienced machine operator, as meeting every requirement both as to safety and efficiency of service. The booth is built entirely outside the auditorium, behind a fire-proof brick wall at the rear of the balcony, the only connecting link between theatre proper and booth being three portholes — two for the two Simplex projection machines and one for the Kleigl spotlight. The projection room or booth is located between the third and fourth floors of the building, on a slightly higher level than the rnirror screen, which is i68 feet distant from the portholes through which the pictures are projected. The almost imper ceptible drop from booth to screen is, in the opinion of Mr. Filson, the most advantageous arrangement that could be devised. The only means of access to the booth is by way of a staircase which leads from an entrance on the street level in front of the theatre. The walls of the stairway are of fire-proof construction. The booth, which measures twenty feet along the brick wall at the rear of the balcony, is twelve feet deep and eleven feet high. It is entirely encased in extra heaw steel lathing on an angle metal frame, purchased from Henr}' Gilbert & Son. hardware dealers, of Second and Paxtor. streets, Harrisburg, and this is finished oflF on the interior by two hea\'}' coats of hard plaster. The booth was installed by E. C. Horn & Son, builders and architects, of 1476 (Continued on page 3338)