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

Plastic "Props" for Television Shows A NF.W concept of television staging through the use of plastics, the result of six months of experimenta- tion in collaboration with the Studio Alliance, has been put into active use by the National Bro.idcasting Com- pany in its New York studios. The project, developed by Studio Alliance, was brought to NBC in its early stages and the company then joined forces with the studio in its development. Some of the qualities of the plastic which make it superior to other materials previously used for sets, props and even costume .iccessories are: It is waterprix)f, fire-proof, shatter-proof and warp- priHjf. It can be repainted repeatedly for use in different colors. Tlie phistic, while tougher and lighter than wood, has wood's desirable qualities in that bolts and screws cin be inserted easily and it can be cut. planed and sanded. Some of it is flexible. Some items are translucent, with the apfjearance and texture of marble. Color can be impregnated into such forms as desired. The newest thing is the perfection of a transparent plastic for use in making "crystal" chandeliers and the like. Items with joints or seams, once a problem, now are being made in one piece, with a consequent increase in strength and durability. Many units are m-ide in sections so that any one segment or combination of segments or the entire unit may be used as needed. Museum pieces, which sometimes can be rented ai relatively fabulous rates and which carry heavy insurance for dam.ige risks because of their extreme fragility, can be duplicated in plastic to become part of the permanent property stock. An antique pottery vase, for instance, which is delicate and heavy, can be made in sturdy pl.istic which will weigh one fourth of the original. Another example in this category is an antique, cars'ed wooden picture frame from Italy. A replica in wood and plaster would cost about $125 and would re- quire careful handling because of its tendency to break apart. Reprcxluced in strong plastic, it would cost only half as much and would last indefinitely. It could be painted in any color, washed off and repainted as often as desired. Window draperies can be made in three sections so that one, two or all three may be used, as required. They need no fire-proofing, dry-cleaning, mending or special Plastic stage "props" look like the original articles but weigh only one fourth as much. handling. Like the other items, they can be repainted with ease and repeatedly. Experimentation with flexible plastic has produced authentic reproductions of ornamental gold braid and similar items for uniforms and other costuming, which can be sewed and handled in the same manner as fabric but never tarnishes or requires repairs. Through the use of plastics, a standard stage wing has been reduced in thickness by one third, thus making it easier to handle and less bulky for storage. A 100-pound wing can be prepared in plastic at 57 pounds. TV and Radio Expand In Dominican Republic The first phase of extensive plans of the Dominican Republic to modernize and expand its communications .services has been completed with the opening of a country-wide radio broadcasting network. In making the announcement, Meade Brunet, a Vice President of the Radio Corporation of America and Managing Direc- tor of the RCA International Division, said that the new- radio network, equipped throughout by RCA with the latest types of broadcasting apparatus, links Ciudad Tru- jillo, the capital, with Santiago, the nation's second city, by means of automatic repeater stations at La Cumbre and Santo Cerro. operating at very high frequencies. RADIO AGE 17