TECH nEUIS by Rodger J. Ross MOTION PICTURE VIDEO Television has created an enormous A few motion picture laboratories advantage can be taken of the oppor­ new market for films, but neither have been installing television equip­ tunity to make adjustments of the broadcasters nor filmmakers have ment, mainly for small-format video­ camera controls so as to obtain the been entirely satisfied with the re­ tape cassette distribution. But now most pleasing television pictures, sults. On the television side, there is DeLuxe Laboratories in Hollywood consistent with professional video a decided preference for videotape has announced a major expansion of practices. as a program source, while film­ its video duplication and film-to-tape Automatic signal level control, so makers complain that television dis­ transfer facilities. Several Ampex extensively employed in television torts their pictures, often in a less recorders including an AVR 1, VR2000 stations, gives an output from the desirable direction. with editor, and two VR1200 models telecine camera in which uniform When a film is to be shown by tele­ have been installed. Included also is peak white and black levels are main­ vision, it has to be projected into a a Fernseh color film chain with both tained, whatever variations there may television camera in an apparatus 35 mm. and 16 mm. composite and be in maximum and minimum film known as a telecine. All television interlock capabilities; a digitally con­ densities. Many attempts have been installations include this type of trolled scene-to-scene color correc­ made to develop electronic color equipment, and television technicians tor; an 2-inch high and low band correction devices as well, so as to dubbing system, and film-to-quad and are responsible for operating pro­ give broadcasters completely auto­ cassette formats. jectors and camera. This division of matic film-reproducing facilities, but as yet no really satisfactory method responsibility between those who At the March meeting of the Toronto of automatic color correction is avail­ make the films and those who repro­ Section of SMPTE there was a stand­ able. duce the films in the television sys­ ing-room-only crowd on hand to hear tem has been a serious handicap in papers and see demonstrations by Manual telecine camera operation making the best possible use of the Motion Picture Video Corp. staffers, enables any desired changes to be film medium in television program­ showing what can be done with their made in the color balance of the ming. film and television production facili­ television pictures, while at the same ties. They have installed a Rank-Cintel time adjustments are being made in In the last year or so, changes are flying spot scanner and Autocolor- signal levels to compensate for densi­ beginning to take place on both sides grade, and an Ampex-designed com­ ty shifts. A skilful telecine operator that will radically alter these prac­ puter control terminal. With a projec­ can make slight adjustments in camera tices. With the increase in automation tion television unit, they showed how control settings to compensate for of television station operations, it is the computer is used to assemble color shifts between scenes, or the now more economical and convenient programs on tape. Samples of com­ color of the pictures can be changed to broadcast from videotape. Accord­ mercials produced with this equip­ drastically to produce almost any ing to recent reports, CBS Television ment were also shown. desired effect. The changes that are Network now broadcasts all evening As the trend towards what might needed to obtain best possible televi­ prime-time programs from videotape, be termed integrated television film sion pictures - or any desired special even when the programs were pro­ operations accelerates, we will no effects - can be determined in a pre­ duced originally on film. At some doubt see fairly extensive changes view or rehearsal session in telecine, stage prior to broadcast the films taking place in film handling prac­ and then a computer can be utilized must be transferred to tape. This tices. The first - and undoubtedly the to make these predetermined changes could be done either by the broad­ most important - change will be the automatically while the film is being caster who already has the facilities deactivation of automatic video signal transferred to videotape. to do the work, or by the film-pro­ level controls in telecine, when trans­ Electronic color correction takes ducing organization or laboratory if fers to videotape are being made. the necessary equipment and operat­ place in a very simple signal pro­ ing organization or laboratory if the Broadcasters adopted automatic cessing stage - the red, green and necessary equipment and operating signal control many years ago, as an blue signals from the telecine camera staff can be acquired. economy measure, and to relieve tele­ can be combined in different propor­ vision technicians of the tedious task, tions by raising or lowering the signal all day long, and into the night as well, levels in the color channels. This is Long time Supervisor of Technical Film Operations at the programming centre of of manually adjusting signal levels just one of the innumerable possibili­ the CBC, Mr. Ross is the author of two from the telecine camera, to com­ ties that the transfer process offers books. Television Film Engineering and pensate for shifts in maximum and for producing special effects. With Color FUm for Color Television, has won minimum film densities, scene-to- the aid of an electronic switcher-mixer the Agfa-Gevaert Gold Medal, awarded by scene, and film-to-film. But now, and special effects amplifier - every the Society of Motion Picture and Televi­ when a film transfer is being made television studio has one - effects sion Engineers, and is presently chairman in a motion picture laboratory, an such as fades, wipes, super-imposi­ of the SMPTE Board of Editors. entirely different situation exists - tions and many, many more, can be 58 / Cinema Canada TECH nEUIS inserted into a program as the trans­ a program can be finished on film $10.70 (US). Additional supply of splic­ fers are being made, or afterwards, and transferred to tape, or finished ing tape is available at $1.40. by playing back and re-recording the on tape after the transfers have been videotapes. made, by electronic editing. In some The greatest advantage of film as situations, especially where reversal an original picture and sound recording film is used for making the originals, Director's Zoom Finder medium is that the release for view­ there would be no need to make a timed A new model of the popular 11 IB ing by the public can be either on and color-corrected print - the origi­ 35/16 Director's Zoom Finder is now film or on videotape. For viewing by nals could be transferred to tape and available from Alan Gordon Enter­ direct projection on a screen, prints electronically edited into finished prises Inc. The new finder has been can be made from the originals in any program form. recalibrated to include all widescreen convenient format - 35 mm, 16 mm This method of working will no formats and film ratios from 1:1.33 or super-8. Then, one of these prints doubt open up many new opportuni­ (Academy), safe-action TV and other could be turned over to a broadcasting ties for filmmakers. To make up for formats including Panavision and organization to be seen by the public the loss of print business, laborato­ Cinemascope. The finder also has an on home receivers. ries will no doubt offer electronic easy-to-read scale on the barrel transfer services. But with printing, But now, as filmmakers acquire duplicating and optical effects facili­ electronic transfer facilities, entire­ ties still available, laboratories will ly new and different methods for mak­ be able to give their clients a greatly ing use of film can be envisaged. For expanded service, with finished produc­ example, as Jack Sinclair of Motion tions either on film or tape, or on Picture Video Corp. told his audience both. at the SMPTE meeting in Toronto, EQUIPMENT NEWS Director's Zoom Finder Note to Canadian distributors: We would like to include the names and addresses of Canadian distributors of equipment and services mentioned in this section. Please ask your suppliers to give Canadian sources in their publicity releases. Ed. which simplifies the selection of Hervic /Minette Splicer lenses in the various formats. The finder helps in two ways - it can splicing. The splicing tape is affixed show what the camera reveals through Super-8 to a special paper surface and the the lens with which it is fitted, and it Distribution Centre tape is transferred from the paper can aid in selecting the best composi­ during the final steps of making a tion by determining what focal-length The Canadian Super-8 Distribution splice. A 1 mm "clearing" on the lens should be used. Price for the Centre has been opened in Toronto to recorded side of the film is allowed Model lllB is $149.50 (US). Available promote super-8 filmmakers and so that the sound track will not be af­ from Alan Gordon Enterprises Inc., videographers and distribute their fected or damaged. The splicer is 1430 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, works. 'The Centre is funded by the made of durable plastic and priced at Calif. 90028. Ontario Arts Council. Immediate ob­ jectives are publication of a catalogue and regular film showings. The Cen­ tre is seen as offering equal distri­ bution and viewing facilities for both media. Enquiries or suggestions ACTION FILM SERVICES LTD could be sent to the Centre at P.O.