Download Report - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Download Report - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Download Report - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

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was discussed at some length with the idea that iens makers should be encouraged to send experts to California to ascertain the problems to be solved. Mr. Reed opposed the spreading of the investigations into too many channels and suggested that the committee should keep to its program of tncandescent lighting, and not try to solve the matter of lenses, which was a big problem in itself. He referred to the immense amount of equipment now used in hard lighting that would have to be abandoned by the companies if incandescent lighting should come into general use. He said that the amount of this investment was from one to two or possibly three to five million dollars. He did not undertake to say how much. At any rate it was a big problem that the producers were asked to face, and it should be the purpose o{ these demonstrations to help solve that problem for the producers, so that they might know whether it would pay them in the long run to adopt the new method o{ lighting. Mr. Mohr agreed with Mr. Reed, and re{erred to the experience o{ Warner Bros. in photographing by incandescent lights for the Vitaphone productions. Mr. Stern proposed that each studio be sent questionnaires prepared by the committee, and that they be asked to keep records of all of their experiences with incandescent lighting. Mr. Gus Peterson said that he was a cameraman who had had no experience with incandescent lighting, and what he would like wor"rld be the opportunity to learn and to acquire in{ormation and experience. Mr. Mclntyre stated the experience of the Goldwyn, Inc., studio in their present production, which was being photographed almost entirely by incandescent lights. He said the equipment had cost $12,000 and they were using about hal{ the number of men on the lights as would have been used with hard lights. They photographed sets on a stage 140x60 almost entirely by incandescent light with very little hard light assistance on the side and were having great success. Mr. Mohr explained further the process with Warner Bros' Vitaphone productions, and explained that they w€re not using panchromatic film because Vitaphone sequences were inserted in pictures made with hard lights. He thought the biggest problem in the whole thing was the development o{ equipment. Frank Murphy of the same company explained that they were using four men in their incandescent lighting using straight stock, which made it a somewhat different problem {rom panchromatic. Mr. Strohm suggested that local light makers, including Mole-Richardson, Inc., wor-rld make up any quantity of equipment required for demonstrations. Mr. Beetson was called on and said that he thought Mr. Reed had sounded the keynote that the producers would be interested in the practical results of the development, especially as to costs and photographic results. He referred to the matter o{ reflectors and the objectionable heat created by incandescent lights. He said that the great problem in the matter of lighting as well as in all other phases of production was to establish standardized equipment of all kinds so that each studio could use the best and most economical. He referred to the fine showing made by the present meeting with nearly fifty men present, all giving sincere thought to the subject under consideration. The meeting then adjourned to meet at the call of the Chairman. MANAGING COMMITTEE MEETING JAI{. 11 , 1928 After considerable discussion pro and con, Mr. Ball moved that two sub-committees be appointed -one composed of cameramen, electricians and laboratory men to have charge of demonstrations, and one special managing committee on program and invitations. The motion was seconded and unanimously carried. Thereupon the chair appointed Frank Murphy Chairman of the demonstrations special committee, with power to name the membership of the Cornmittee. The chair also appointed a special managing committee as {ollows: Messrs. Volck, Beetson, Pelton, Ball and Woods. DEMONSTRATION COMMITTEE MEETING JAN. 19, l92B The Committee organized as {ollows: Frank MurPhY, Chairman Walter Strohm Lee Garmes Wm. Whisler Tony Gaudio Roger Nauman Joseph Dubray Louis Kolb Irvin WiIIat J. M. Nickolaus KarI Struss Fred Gage Gilbert Wafrenton Roy Hunter Percy Hilburn Victor Milner John Seitz Arthur Edeson Geo. Meehan Ed DuPar Ned Van Buren George Barnes Frank Woods (At this meeting the program of demonstrations and tests arranged by Chairman Murphy was approved practically as carried out. It was arranged io conduct major demonstrations two nights each week in Warner Bros.' studio with a cin€matographer in charge, who would be acquainted with iniandescent ill,rmination, all cameramen and technicians being invited to attend' It was also arranged to devote each day to tests by individual cinematographers and that this program should be carried out by the American Society of Cinematographers.-$scretary. ) SECRETARY'S REPORT FEBRUARY.3, I 928 The Secretary reported as follows: For your information in re{erence to the series of demonstrations of incandescent illumination now t 8l

eing conducted at the Warner Bros' studio, I take pleasure in stating that the demonstrations are progressing with remarkable success, and the spirit of co-operation and genuine interest has developed beyond anything anticipated. The General Electric Company, through its variows organizations, has contributed lamps {or special tests to the amount of $4,500 in cost, and has sent four of its most outstanding representatives in this department of electrical illumination to participate. The Society of Motion Picture Engineers, which will hold its semi-annual convention in the headquarters of the Academy the week o{ April 9 to 14, 1928, will be represented by several of its members at the final week of incandescent demonstrations. Keese Engineering Company, through its manager, J. T. Shannon, has contributed for experiment in the demonstrations a new Cooper-Hewitt red tube lamp developed by the company to be used in conjunction with its blue-white tubes. The Make-Up Artists' Association is co-operating in experiments with make-up. Max Factor, make-up manufacturer, is contributing a make-up artist and material for constant use during both the day and night demonstrations. Mole-Richardson, Inc., manufacturers o{ equipment, have contributed their entire supply of equipment to the demonstrations and are actively developing new models as required. The Eastman Company, the Agfa Company and the Dupont Company are contributing all the necessary negative free of charge. The developing laboratories are doing the developing of negative and printing of positive prints free o{ charge. The Jacobsmeyer Co. is printing titles for the test shots free of charge. The Association of Motion Picture Producers is furnishing the funds for the payment o{ labor and extra. people and such other incidental expenses as may De necessafy. The American Society of Cinematographers, working in co-operalion v'ith the Academy, has undertaken the direct management of the demonstrations and is doing splendid work. The demonstrations are being attended by an average of 150 cameramen on each Friday and Wednesday night, and by many other technicians and persons interested. The special committee appointed by the Academy in charge of demonstrations, headed by Mr, Murphy o{ Warner Bros., has been working six days a week, eight hours a day, and also two nights in each week, until one or two o'clock in the morning, constantly engaged in conducting and promoting these demonstrations. QUESTIONNAIRES TO STUDIOS For the purpose o{ ascertaining studio conditions and the results of their operations with relation to the use of incandescent illumination, for the information of the industry and the Academy Committees having in charge investigation of the subject, the Secretary of the Academy sent to each studio operating in Hollywood and vicinity two questionnaires, one dated January 5, when the enquiries were commencing, and the second, dated March 22, when the investigations had been in active progress {or more than two months. Replies to these two questionnaires were received promptly from all studios. Answers to the first questionnaire revealed that only five studios had been operating with incandescent illumination to a sufficient extent to justify replies based on extended experience. Five other studios, however, reported the results of partial experiments and investigations. Replies to the second questionnaire showed that nine studios had operated in actual production, an increase in two months of 80 per cent. Following are enquiries made in the two questionnaires: QUESTIONNAIRE No. l. 1. Labor cost of electric operation by incandescent lights as compared with what hard lighting would have been, giving figures, tel 2. Cost of current consumption compared in same way. 3. Expense of replacements, such as globes, etc., as compared with hard lighting replacements. 4. Estimates as to how incandescent lighting speeded up production, as compared to hard lightitrg. 5. Limitations of incandescent lighting, stating why such limitations exist and if due to insufficient equipment or to undeveloped improvements. 6. Adaptability of incandescent lighting, as compared to hard lighting, explaining where soft lighting can be used to better advantage. 7. What kinds of film were used and comparative results as to difierent kinds. QUESTIONNAIRE No. 2. 1. Labor Cost: What have been your electrical labor costs with incandescent lamps, as compared to arc lighting since January 11,7928? 2. Current Cost: What has been the relative cost of electrical current for the two forms of illumination since January 11 ? I{ this information is not available, what has been the relative amperages of incandescent and arc sets of similar size and character ? 3. Replacements: What has been your experience since January 11 with regard to the cost of

eing conducted at the Warner Bros' studio, I take<br />

pleasure in stating that the demonstrations are progressing<br />

with remarkable success, <strong>and</strong> the spirit <strong>of</strong><br />

co-operation <strong>and</strong> genuine interest has developed beyond<br />

anything anticipated.<br />

The General Electric Company, through its variows<br />

organizations, has contributed lamps {or special<br />

tests to the amount <strong>of</strong> $4,500 in cost, <strong>and</strong> has sent<br />

four <strong>of</strong> its most outst<strong>and</strong>ing representatives in this<br />

department <strong>of</strong> electrical illumination to participate.<br />

The Society <strong>of</strong> <strong>Motion</strong> <strong>Picture</strong> Engineers, which<br />

will hold its semi-annual convention in the headquarters<br />

<strong>of</strong> the <strong>Academy</strong> the week o{ April 9 to 14,<br />

1928, will be represented by several <strong>of</strong> its members<br />

at the final week <strong>of</strong> inc<strong>and</strong>escent demonstrations.<br />

Keese Engineering Company, through its manager,<br />

J. T. Shannon, has contributed for experiment<br />

in the demonstrations a new Cooper-Hewitt red<br />

tube lamp developed by the company to be used in<br />

conjunction with its blue-white tubes.<br />

The Make-Up Artists' Association is co-operating<br />

in experiments with make-up.<br />

Max Factor, make-up manufacturer, is contributing<br />

a make-up artist <strong>and</strong> material for constant use<br />

during both the day <strong>and</strong> night demonstrations.<br />

Mole-Richardson, Inc., manufacturers o{ equipment,<br />

have contributed their entire supply <strong>of</strong> equipment<br />

to the demonstrations <strong>and</strong> are actively developing<br />

new models as required.<br />

The Eastman Company, the Agfa Company <strong>and</strong><br />

the Dupont Company are contributing all the necessary<br />

negative free <strong>of</strong> charge.<br />

The developing laboratories are doing the developing<br />

<strong>of</strong> negative <strong>and</strong> printing <strong>of</strong> positive prints<br />

free o{ charge.<br />

The Jacobsmeyer Co. is printing titles for the<br />

test shots free <strong>of</strong> charge.<br />

The Association <strong>of</strong> <strong>Motion</strong> <strong>Picture</strong> Producers is<br />

furnishing the funds for the payment o{ labor <strong>and</strong><br />

extra. people <strong>and</strong> such other incidental expenses as<br />

may De necessafy.<br />

The American Society <strong>of</strong> Cinematographers,<br />

working in co-operalion v'ith the <strong>Academy</strong>, has undertaken<br />

the direct management <strong>of</strong> the demonstrations<br />

<strong>and</strong> is doing splendid work. The demonstrations<br />

are being attended by an average <strong>of</strong> 150 cameramen<br />

on each Friday <strong>and</strong> Wednesday night, <strong>and</strong><br />

by many other technicians <strong>and</strong> persons interested.<br />

The special committee appointed by the <strong>Academy</strong><br />

in charge <strong>of</strong> demonstrations, headed by Mr, Murphy<br />

o{ Warner Bros., has been working six days a<br />

week, eight hours a day, <strong>and</strong> also two nights in each<br />

week, until one or two o'clock in the morning, constantly<br />

engaged in conducting <strong>and</strong> promoting these<br />

demonstrations.<br />

QUESTIONNAIRES TO STUDIOS<br />

For the purpose o{ ascertaining studio conditions<br />

<strong>and</strong> the results <strong>of</strong> their operations with relation to<br />

the use <strong>of</strong> inc<strong>and</strong>escent illumination, for the information<br />

<strong>of</strong> the industry <strong>and</strong> the <strong>Academy</strong> Committees<br />

having in charge investigation <strong>of</strong> the subject, the<br />

Secretary <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Academy</strong> sent to each studio operating<br />

in Hollywood <strong>and</strong> vicinity two questionnaires,<br />

one dated January 5, when the enquiries were commencing,<br />

<strong>and</strong> the second, dated March 22, when the<br />

investigations had been in active progress {or more<br />

than two months.<br />

Replies to these two questionnaires were received<br />

promptly from all studios. Answers to the first<br />

questionnaire revealed that only five studios had<br />

been operating with inc<strong>and</strong>escent illumination to a<br />

sufficient extent to justify replies based on extended<br />

experience. Five other studios, however, reported<br />

the results <strong>of</strong> partial experiments <strong>and</strong> investigations.<br />

Replies to the second questionnaire showed that<br />

nine studios had operated in actual production, an<br />

increase in two months <strong>of</strong> 80 per cent.<br />

Following are enquiries made in the two questionnaires:<br />

QUESTIONNAIRE No. l.<br />

1. Labor cost <strong>of</strong> electric operation by inc<strong>and</strong>escent<br />

lights as compared with what hard lighting<br />

would have been, giving figures,<br />

tel<br />

2. Cost <strong>of</strong> current consumption compared in<br />

same way.<br />

3. Expense <strong>of</strong> replacements, such as globes, etc.,<br />

as compared with hard lighting replacements.<br />

4. Estimates as to how inc<strong>and</strong>escent lighting<br />

speeded up production, as compared to hard lightitrg.<br />

5. Limitations <strong>of</strong> inc<strong>and</strong>escent lighting, stating<br />

why such limitations exist <strong>and</strong> if due to insufficient<br />

equipment or to undeveloped improvements.<br />

6. Adaptability <strong>of</strong> inc<strong>and</strong>escent lighting, as compared<br />

to hard lighting, explaining where s<strong>of</strong>t lighting<br />

can be used to better advantage.<br />

7. What kinds <strong>of</strong> film were used <strong>and</strong> comparative<br />

results as to difierent kinds.<br />

QUESTIONNAIRE No. 2.<br />

1. Labor Cost: What have been your electrical<br />

labor costs with inc<strong>and</strong>escent lamps, as compared<br />

to arc lighting since January 11,7928?<br />

2. Current Cost: What has been the relative<br />

cost <strong>of</strong> electrical current for the two forms <strong>of</strong> illumination<br />

since January 11 ? I{ this information is<br />

not available, what has been the relative amperages<br />

<strong>of</strong> inc<strong>and</strong>escent <strong>and</strong> arc sets <strong>of</strong> similar size <strong>and</strong><br />

character ?<br />

3. Replacements: What has been your experience<br />

since January 11 with regard to the cost <strong>of</strong>

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