Movietone Bulletin (August 1928)

Likes Movietone ROM the Northwest comes this letter: “Dear Brother Richardson: The bulletin certainly is great stuff. It helps a lot. Also that article you published in the HeraldWorld and in the American Projectionist is more than good. Keep up the good work. “T have had experience in projecting sound both by movietone and the disc record method and I like it. It puts a lot of pep into the work that was lacking before. But when it comes to the two systems, I for one very much prefer movietone. I say without hesitation that it is much the better of the two. Movietone is improving constantly. It has got to the point where in all but a few occasional news reel shots which plainly were taken under difficulties, and could not have been taken at all by the disc method, the movietone sound effect is fully equal to that of the disc. In my opinion it is often much better. “And with movietone we always know the sound is in absolutely correct synchronization without squinting constantly at the screen to see some discrepancy, or depending upon a not always reliable observer to do it. I’m a movietone projectionist and I don’t care who knows it. I’m one of the “family” and right proud of it too.” Well, brother, we’re right glad to have you, but why in (deleted by censor) didn’t you include permission to publish your name? I fully agree with you that the film method is best. I have always said, since the very beginning, that sound in synchronization with motion pictures would not be largely successful in any general way until the sound was on the film itself. Then along came movietone and when F first heard its then comparatively faulty performance I had faith to believe the sound-on-the-film method had arrived. I was really more genuinely pleased that I have been by any other one thing in years when Mr. Sponable, Technical Director, sent for me and invited me to join the movietone staff of the Fox Case organization as associate editor of the Bulletin, which title was later changed to editor. My pleasure was due to the fact that I thoroughly believed in movietone and in its future. I also want to say to you that I have found the men at the head of Fox Case Movietone to be firm believers in their product and willing to go the limit to give you the very best possible in the films; also I can vouch for the fact that they are willing to do any reasonable thing to help the projectionist place it before the public in the best possible manner. They are on the square, boys, absolutely, and it’s up to you to be on the square with them and place movietone on your screens one hundred per cent. Proper Fader Notch HEN a fader cue sheet is made from sound indication in an empty auditorium, don’t forget that you must in nearly all cases use the cue one or two points higher than its actual radius. Unless you pay attention to this the sound most likely will be too low. The reason for this is simple. A congregation of one to two or three thousand people makes a great deal of noise, though it seldom is noted unless it be deliberately listened for. Even then were it possible to instantly dissipate the audience you would probably be astounded at the great difference. Another contributing factor is the fact that thousands of bodies offer considerable resistance to and tend to interfere with and break up sound waves. You therefore must, as we have intimated, use the empty auditorium cue sheet from one to two or possibly even three points higher than its actual reading. The careful projectionist will also remember that if it is found the best result is had from a 3-point raise when the auditorium is full, a point lower will probably be better when it is half empty. (Continued from Page 1, Col. 2) matter and in more than one instance I have found evidence that it has been handled rather carelessly. It must be considered in the cueing of each production. Care in sound balancing means added dollars paid in at the box office. People will come more frequently if it is found there is enjoyment unalloyed by any sense of strain. FLICKERS Remember back in the old home church how the choir leader wanted everybody to join in the chorus? That’s how a fellow feels when he goes to one of these palpitating musical shows. Projectionist Pete says he knows a guy who ought to quit projection work and go into politics. He uses so much oil on the apparatus it looks like Teapot Dome. Projectionist Pete is all enthused over an idea for an invention. He is going to invent a tail light for advice so it will be easier to follow. If the guy next door practices on the saxophone all the time and keeps you awake, make a movietone of him and play him back at himself. He’ll stop in self-defense. Nobody can know all there is to know. A hair divides the false and the true. These days of course it is a bobbed hair. Movietone is a marvel and promises great things to the world. But think what would happen if they got to making talking photographs. And, among famous standing offers, by no means least is the S. R. O. sign managers love to hang out. Don‘t give up if you haven’t found yourself. Every man has his calling. That’s what telephone operators are for. If the poundage piles up don’t try to argue with the scales. It has it own weigh of doing things. If you are perplexed, use your head. That’s what made the billygoat famous. The most important gates known are: Pearly gates, Golden Gate and sound gate. Don’t be dumb about the details of your business. Even a hamburger man knows his onions.