Theatre Catalog (1954-55)

“ < —_ The Color Committee is at present preparing a brochure intended to help studios at every step in the making of color motion-picture films, from the lighting and arrangement of sets to the laboratory processing of the film, even including detailed advice on make-up, dress, etc. Sound Improvements in magnetic recording and the trend toward its wider use have been occupying a great deal of Society attention over the past few years. Two standards already have been established and more are being developed. Several magnetic test films have been produced and are being distributed by the Society XVIII oy : and further work is being done along these lines. Research and experiment in stereophonic sound principles and techniques has been very active, and large quantities of published work on the subject is to be found in the Journal. The September 1953 issue carried a special supplement devoted solely to this subject. Television Lighting requirements in television studios differ from those of the motionpicture studio; however, since the desired end results are similar and the equipment used is often identical, the Society has been asked repeatedly to provide some help from among its members for orientation of broadcasters, The discussions of desirable practices, held at several national conventions, plus wide distribution of recommendations presented there, have begun to lay ground work for future contributions by the Television Studio Lighting Committee. Consistent practices in use of films as a reliable source of program material are now beginning to evolve. They are based largely on a television test film developed by the Society with the aid of several broadcasters, whose experience was somewhat broader than average. Prints in use by nearly every television studio help insure that a properly made motion picture will utilize, to the limit, potentialities of the film-camera chain. Serious attempts at defining a “properly made film” which proceeded concurrently with work on the test reel produced “Films in Television,” a report of the Television Film Committee. A second generation definition was later published commercially, A third contribution following hard on the heels of the first two appeared in the form of a very competent and lucid specification for films to be broadcast. Written by an individual member, it was first published in the Society’s Jowrnal for August 1950, and two subsequent printings have failed to supply the demand for copies—indicating the serious interest in quality improvement on the part of both film makers and the television industry. Theatre television is a field in which the Society feels a closely related interest with its other theatre activities. After actively sharing in the presentation of ‘the industry’s case before the FCC for theatre television. frequencies the Theatre Television Committee has worked on many practical recommendations which have enabled the industry to go into production on suitable equipment. High-Speed Photography The detailed study of fast-moving objects is one area where motion-picture photography becomes a real research tool. Cameras of incredible speed, capable of taking pictures up to 100,000 frames/sec and more, can photograph shock waves or combustion processes, study the movement of guided missiles or projectiles in free flight, or examine “THE RECORD OF A SNEEZE” was one of the first films made by Edison. Outcault’s published sketch (1894) shows the method of the shooting. THEATRE CATALOG 1954-55