Radio age research, manufacturing, communications, broadcasting, television (1941)

As other examples, scenery for the video version of "Dinner at Eijrht" weighed over eijrht tons, not including set dressings and hand- props, while an audition of "The Women" at the 106th Street studio involved the use of 132 units of scenery, 12 doors, 5 mantels, and two truckloads of modern furniture. Properties normally offer more difficulties than scenery, since scripts often call for unusual items. For example, the "Relieve It or Not" projrram needed an authentic P^-sryptian mummy case; another projrram requested a 1907 drug- store soda fountain, and still an- other, a- reproduction of the rear end of a San Francisco cable car. A typical show uses from 80 to 100 props, and NBC retains a prop staff of eijrht men to track down the required items. Whether his list calls for a "scrimshaw pie trimmer made of ivory by sailors in the 1850's", a 17th-century spinning wheel, a stuffed moose head or a railroad sleeping car, the prop man must locate the article. No substi- tute can take its place in the script. Versatile Craftsmanship No matter where a scene is set, NBC's versatile craftsmen can fur- nish background realistic enough to fool even the sensitive TV cameras. In response to demands for "more and better skies" these men recently completed a dark grey-green cyclo- rama 80 feet long and 14 feet high, which is rigged between two pipes for maximum spread and tautness. The Scenic Section of the Shop devours amazing ciuaiitities of ma- terials. Approximately 1.5,000 gal- lons of casein paint and 20,000 gal- lons of thinners, etc. — a quantity sufficient to paint 1,042 small houses inside and out — are consumed each year. In the same period the Car- pentry Section handles over 4,000 pieces of white pine lumber. Whether the assignment involves a 5-minule spot commercial or a three-hour full-scale extravaganza, Production Facilities is able to com- plete its tiisk in time for the pro- gram's opening. This is possible because of the Division's highly versatile staff and the ample facili- ties and working space provided in its new quarters. Royalty Rates Reduced A REDUCTION of up to fifty lier cent in the patent royalty rates of the Radio Corporation of America was announced .June 9 by Brig. General David Sarnoff, Chair- man of the Board. The reduced rates apply to radio and television receivers, transmitters and tubes, as well as electrical phonographs. "These reductions in RCA's standard royalty rates," said Gen- eral Sarnoff, "are in accord with RCA's tradition of continuously re- ducing, so far as practicable, the cost of bringing inventions and new developments to the industry and the puljlic. RCA's original royalty rate was 7V2 per cent for radio broadcast receiving sets. In 19."52, this was reduced to 5 per cent, and in 1940, it was further reduced to 2'4 per cent." THIS BACKGROL-.ND FOR "MORNING S AT SEVEN WAS CREATED BY A PHOTO ENLARGEMENT: TITLES FOR THE PLAY WERE FLASHED AGAINST A.N EXACT MIM\Tri!E OF THE SET ( FdREGROCND) . ikm. The latest reductions, he said, "are a further reflection of RCA's efforts to keep the radio and tele- vision industry fully abreast of the art at a minimum cost to the in- dustry and the public." He con- cluded : "RCA is particularly happy to be able to make these reductions at this time. The importance of the contributions it has made to the radio and television art and indus- try has been demonstrated by the widespread use of its inventions and l)y the successful development of television in which it has pio- neered. Television has attained a growth and a public acceptance un- paralleled in the history of Ameri- can industry." It was announced that the royalty rate for sound radio receiving sets and electrical phonographs was re- duced by RCA from 2'4 per cent to 1' s per cent of the price received by the manufacturer. The rate for television receivers, including tele- vision combinations, was reduced from 2^4 per cent to 1^4 per cent. New Rates Effective on June 1 The rate for receiving tubes, in- cluding cathode ray tubes used in television receiving sets, was re- duced from 2V2 per cent to 1% per cent. For transmitting and power tubes, the rates were reduced from 3 per cent and 2 per cent to 1% per cent. The transmitter and other commercial apparatus royalty rates were reduced from 3 per cent and 21/2 per cent to 2 per cent. These new rates became effective on sales and shipments made by RCA licensees on and after .June 1, 19.50. [RADIO AGE 15]