Universal Filmlexikon (1932)

OTTO KOHTZ: TALKING FILM STUDIOS In the springe of 1929, when the German Studios were convcrtod for talking film ])roduction. it was presumed that conij)lete, hundrcd per (ciit quiet was cssential in a taiking film studio. Düring the intci-vening two and a half years this presuniption has proved erroneous. Many of the old Studios in quiet districts, with few Street, rail and aeroi)lane noises, have been made suitable for talking film production by means of slight reconstruction, though in almost all cases it has been necessary to employ signals, watchers. etc. to prevent noise in the vicinity of the studio. However, as this naturally entails inconvenience and expense, in erecting a new studio care should be taken, apart from all eise, to ensure the greatest possible dcgree of sound insulation. the more so as it is the general tendency to minimise the noise of the recording apparatus themselves, in order to obtain greater clearness and purity in sound reproduction. Position Apart from accessibility, the site of the talking film studio should be selected in a quiet Position, for the greater the amount of external noise, the more soundproof must the studio be made, and absolutely soundproof buildings naturally entail extra expense. For open air recordings, frequently desirable in talking films, it is atlvisable to choose a suitably wide field. Rooms The rooms required for talking film production are practically the same as in the case of silent films. Moreover, it has been ])roved that the dimensions usual in the old Studios apply without modification to talking films, although it was at first considered that no suitable acoustic conditions could be attained in large Studios. It is desirable to join two Studios into a single group, so that the erection of sets may proceed in one of tliem while the other is used for recording. The Stars' dressing rooms, hairdressing saloons, lavatories, bathrooms, the director's and art director"s offices and the dark rooms should adjoin the Studios, while the crowd dressing rooms, scenery and accessory stores and wardrobes may be situated in a separate, though not too distant, building. Arrangement of rooms The arrangement of the Studios must be such that the sounds of the talking film recordings and the noise of scene changing should not penetrate from one studio to the other. The noises from the rooms adjacent to the Studios must also not penetrate into the Studios. The dressing rooms and other secondary rooms must be so arranged that they may be used alternately for the various Studios. Separate small doors leading to the Studios should be provided for actors and workmen and larger doors for scenery, etc. Constriirtion Researches carried out by Dr. Meyer, of the Heinrich Hertz-Institut für Schwingungsforschung, have revealed that, as far as atmospheric sound is concerned, the insulating ca[)acity of a room is in direct ratio to the weight of the walls, calculated per square yard. Thus, the heavier a wall, the greater its insulating capacity. However, no generally applicable data are available with regard to the soundproof linings offered in commerce. The principle laid down with regard to walls also applies to roofs. However, in the case of roofs it is necessary, from considerations of cost, to select a lighter construction and, it is therefore advisable to employ soundproof linings. The noise of showers or hail, which would have a disturbing effect in a film studio, can be damped by means of roof coverings to such an extent that it does not reach the apparatus. As noise penetrates most easily through windows and doors, Windows should be eliminated altogether, while the number and size of the doors should not exceed what is strictly necessary. Moreover, the doors should be provided with heavy double rubber Strips. Technical Installations Talking film production demands the same amount of illumination as silent film production, but the lights employed for the purpose must burn with the niinimum of noise. In view of the disti'ibution of the scenery at various points, the lamps must be easily adjustable. and it is therefore advisable to instal adjustable brackets or rails on which the lamps may be slid to and fro. For the extensive illuminating installations cables and switchboards of suitable size must be provided. The different recording Systems demand different secondary accommodation for the talking film apparatus, etc. In the case of fixed talking film apparatus, the recording engineer must be provided with a first floor room, enabling him to survcy the studio through a double window. The separate machine rooms are to be so arranged, that the noise of machinery should not penetrate into the studio. In the case of movable talking film apparatus, small sound proof travelling cabinets should be provided for the recording engineer in the studio itself. 43