Page 19 - CinemaRecord #11R.pdf

Today, Eastman color has almost entirely superseded the Technicolor process, which was the wonder process
of the thirties and forties. When the occasional TECHNICOLOR print is required these days, the copying must
be done by a Chinese company which has acquired the rights from the American Tech.nicolor Motion Picture
~~~ .
References: David 0 . Selznick's "Hollywood" & "The Movie Magazine"

EXHIBITION OF TECHNICOLOR

The following suggestions have been made by Technicolor Ltd., of Bath Road, Harrnondsworth Middlesex, to
English exhibitors in respect to the exhibition of Technicolor prints:-

EXCHANGES

...
The Technicolor process produces prints that are rugged and capable of long life under normal projection
conditions.
* The print should be stored, cleaned and handled in accordance with approved practice for black-and-
white prints.
* Surface dirt and oil may be removed from Technicolor prints by carefully rewinding them through a soft
cloth pad moistened with clean carbon tetrachloride.

THEATRE MANAGEMENT

* The full beauty of Technicolor prints will only be obtained if running houselights of strong color and high
level of illumination are not lighted during projection.
* Illuminating fixtures whose lighting units are visible to any part of the audience detract from screen
interest.
* Coloured light should not be projected on to the screen for stage proscenium during the projection of a
Technicolor picture.
* Chandeliers illuminated with other but very low-level soft hues should not be lighted during the projection
of a Technicolor picture.
* All general lights other than aisle and exit lights should be out for best exhibition of Technicolor.

PROJECTIONISTS

The following suggestions arise out of a long series pf studies and observations directed toward getting
the best result from Technicolor prints.

The optical system of the projector, including condenser lenses, the projection lens, and the glass in the
projection room port should be kept free from surface dirt. Smears can be removed with a soft cloth
moistened with clean alcohol, while dust can be removed by a soft camel hair brush.
* The screen should be well and evenly illuminated for improved projection.
* The density of Technicolor prints is controlled to produce a satisfactory screen image when the light
falling on the screen is approximately ten-foot candles. This illumination level can be checked by
measuring the light falling on the screen with an instrument like the Weston Junior Photometer. This is
done by holding the instrument just in front of the centre of the screen with the light sensitive cell
directed toward the projector, the latter running at normal speed and arc trim but without film. When this
illumination falls on a clean, flat white screen, it results in a brightness of seven-and-one-half-foot lamberts.
* Arcs on incoming projectors should bum for at least two minutes before the cut-over so that the incoming
lamp is up to operating temperature. This will decrease the possibility of a colour change in going from
one projector to the other.

We suggest that focus be checked at the beginning of each incoming reel; an operaglass will be found very
helpful in setting precise focus, because of the distance between projection room ports and the viewing
screen.

After giving the above information, Technicolor Ltd. asks for certain technical details of each theatre, apparently
with the object of improving results.
Reprinted from "The Projectionist"