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HISTORICAL EVENTS IN CINEMA

Vista Vision: Basis For a World-Wide Standard of Presentation
by Loren L Ryder - Head of Engineering & Recording Paramount Studios, Hollywood

One can always measure a projection throw, but how far can one throw a projectionist? Let a small framing
error exist, allow a few frames to run out of focus, or miss a changeover- and the projectionist is a bum. Yet,
have a complete run-through with everything in perpect balance and the projectionist hardly gets a nod. So it
is behind the scenes. Actually, projection room operation is so important that no motion picture performance
could be completely successful without the talent and experience of today's projectionist. Beset as some of them
have been with a multiplicity of new methods, and having been confronted with problems like 3-D, stereophonic
sound, various aspect ratios and the like, it is a wonder that they keep their sanity. But projectionists almost
everywhere take particular pride in their work, their equipment and its performance. This came especially to my
notice during a recenttouroftheatres of Europe and Canada where, as in the United States, they take equal pride.
In theatre areas in Germany as well as Italy and, to some extent, in Belgium where there has been much
rebuilding since the war, projection rooms are most modern and provide fine operation facilities. The greater part
of the equipment has been patterned after our own and it is well made by fine craftsmen.

Paramount is now in the process of making a world wide survey of theatres throughout Europe, in the Orient,
and the South American terrritory. In each case it is found that the majority of projectionists have great respect
for their positions. This is gratifying and indicates a sincere effort to provide the best possible picture
presentation. With the knowledge that we are part of a world-wide entertainment activity, and since a good
percentage of revenue is derived from foreign showings, it is important that we understand and assist wherever
we can to keep our product playing well, since this extra revenue males it possible to continue making the high
quality pictures exhibited in domestic theatres. In my travels in the United States, Canada and Europe, wherein
I am working for large-screen presentation, I have oddly enough found many theatres in which we have more
difficulty getting sufficient width than height. There are many narrow houses where proscenium width is sharply
limited, while interior height is ample. This form accommodates the standard picture very well. It does present
some problem however, in adapting for a wide-screen showing. At Paramount we are putting a great deal of effort
behind a program to simplify and standardise, on a flexible basis, the systems of picture making and picture
presentation. To this end our Vista Vision process is offered to meet the requirement oftheatres large and small,
as well as those of limited width and limited height.

The first Vista Vision-produced picture will not be introduced until sometime in October 1954, but meanwhile, as
a point of information, I should like to leave a few impressions as to the benefits that may be expected by the
exhibitor. Of singular importance, it represents no special problem for the projectionist.

Any standard equipment used for normal runnings can handle Vista Vision prints, since regular 35mm release
film with standard optical soundtrack will be supplied. Where a large screen has been installed it will be necessary
to secure a different focal length lens. Otherwise, if sufficient light output is available, any theatre can present
a clear sharp image with such exceptional depth of field that any seat in the house is acceptable. For general
use, that about sums it up.

It might bear repeating, however, that the scource of the Vista Vision picture in this new form is from exposing
an 8-sprocket hole negative horizontally along the film. This bigger negative, with more detail than could be
photographed on a standard 35mm size, carries the same detail through reduction to release -print size, and in
doing so practically eliminates the grain that characterises most large-screen blowups. I addition to the surveys
being made, we are setting up actual demonstrations of Vista Vision to acquaint our world neighbours with the
practical possibilities of providing better presentation to audiences everywhere.

A number of showings have already been made around the United States and a great number of fine comments
have come to us, especially from projectionists who appreciate the simplicity with which Vista-Vision can be
shown. No demands are being made on the exhibitor, but we feet that to get the best results theatres should have
good equipment, including good tenses. ample light and good seamless screens thet are both high and wide.
While forthcoming Paramount pictures can be exhibited in any aspect ratio from 1.33 to1 through 2 to 1, we
strongly recommend a ratio of 1. 85 to 1 for the best viewing.

Visiting in Los Angeles recently, after viewing a demonstration of VistaVision Mr Norman B. Rydge, head of
Greater Union Theatres of Australia, declared "VistaVision is the finest picture I have seen on any screen,
anytime, anywhere". As VistaVision goes abroad, Paramount feels that it is making a substantial contribution
to better presentation of the mightiest of entertainment values, the motion picture.

Reprinted from ,.lntemational Projectionist" - July 1954

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