Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1936)

MOVIE MAKERS 35 visual focusing device, it is desirable to have a separate focusing miscroscope. If the scale on the lens is accurately calibrated to within two inches, a tape measure can be used. It is important that fast lenses be checked very carefully when mounted in the camera. Sharp, accurate focus is most essential when dealing with industrial subjects. The lens should be focused for the point of interest and then stopped down as much as possible. It is sometimes helpful to have a table of depths of field and hyperfocal distances. These tables tell how much depth of field a lens has at any given distance and diaphragm stop. For example, a one inch lens focused for six feet will cover sharply from five and a quarter to seven feet at //1.9 and from three and three quarters to fourteen feet at //8. By using such a table, one can find the stop at which he must work and then can handle the lighting accordingly. Here is where the exposure meter is indispensable in industrial movie making. Without this accessory, it would be well nigh impossible to control the balance of lighting to match a predetermined exposure. While a still photographer can look at a scene on the ground glass and guess the exposure reasonably well, it should be remembered that in his case a slight variation over or under the correct time does not matter much because he can compensate for it in making the print. In the case of 16mm. movies, we must determine the intensity of the light with accuracy, because we are making instantaneous exposures and cannot compensate in reversal without certain loss of quality. All parts of the scene should be checked with the meter to be sure that highlights and shadows come as nearly as possible within the range of the emulsion latitude. No single reading will give the correct exposure; it must be computed as an average of the highlight and shadow readings compiled through several tests. Before starting to shoot a scene, the cameraman should make a final check on the lens settings for distance and diaphragm. The camera should be started before the desired action begins and should be allowed to continue for one or two seconds after the action is finished. This will give some leeway in cutting. It is also helpful in assembling the film to shoot, at either the beginning or end of a scene, a few frames showing a slate on which the scene number has been written in chalk. By referring to these scene numbers, it is comparatively easy to rearrange the film into its proper sequence in the rough editing. Don't hesitate to retake any scenes where there is any doubt about the action, exposure or focus. It is much better to make as many takes as necessary while the setup is available than to have FOR THE YEAR 1936 DEBRIE HAS ANTICIPATED THE GROWING NEEDS OF THE 1 6mm FIELD WITH A COMPLETE LINE OF LABORATORY AND OTHER APPARATUS • • • DEBRIE LABORATORY EQUIPMENT 16mm. Developing Machines H 16mm. and 35mm. Contact Printers, for picture and sound ■ 35mm. to 16mm. Optical Reduction Printers, for picture and sound I Perforators and Film Slitters, for 16mm. and 8mm. SEND FOR OUR NEW CATALOGUE. ANDRE DEBRIE, Inc 115 WEST 45 ST. NEW YORK, N. Y. fvtfrfecti&n. Regarded by discriminating movie makers — everywhere — as the world's standard for the Home Theatre, BriteMte-Truvision Crystal Beaded Screens are scientifically constructed and provide the maximum illumination that can be obtained from your projector in Black-and-White and Kodachrome ... A wide variety of styles includes Folding De Luxe "A", as illustrated, back board, metal tube and ease! models. DE LUXE "A" CRYSTAL BEADED SCREEN 30x40" $1500 List Other sizes and models priced in proportion. A complete catalog is at your disposal. Reflectors TRIPLE XXX and BIG BEN Models. An essential part of your movie equipment, these are efficient lighting units, are made with utmost care and reflect the precision quality of all Britelite-Tru vision Products. BAITf-LITe muvisioM portable projection screens Film Storage & Projector Cases Built with the same care and precision that distinguishes the manufacture of the finest cabinets and luggage. Investigate the merits of Britelite-Trnvision Movie Products at your Dealers. Motion Picture Screen & Accessories Co., 528 WEST 26TH STREET NEW YORK BRIT£LIT£ TAU VISION