John W. Boyle, secretary of the American Society of Cinematographers,
sent the following letter to L.C. Porter, Society of Motion Picture Engineers,
on the subject of camera taking speeds:
Gentlemen:
Replying to yours of March 30th and April 15th respectively regarding our opinion as to the correct camera speeds, we wish to state that this matter has been discussed from time to time among our members and it is the consensus of opinion of our Society that the correct camera speed is sixteen pictures per second or sixty feet per minute. This speed has been used for years by practically all members of the profession, slower speeds only being resorted to, to secure certain comedy and dramatic effects. Over-speeding has only been used where certain directors have attempted to combat the excessive projection speeds which exhibitors have adopted to "turn over their audiences" in the shortest possible time. We are opposed to any taking speed in excess of sixty feet per minute for the following reasons:
1. Sixty feet per minute is sufficiently fast enough to produce smooth action under normal conditions;
2. Faster taking speeds than sixty feet per minute require that much more light to be used on sets, thereby increasing eye strain of actors. The use of additional electrical equipment, electricians and electrical energy increases cost of production, to say nothing of the disadvantages to the cinematographer in securing balanced lighting, it being a known fact that better lighting effects are obtained where it is possible to use a minimum of light;
3. Faster speeds than sixty feet per minute require the use of additional negative and positive footage, thereby increasing the cost for raw stock as well as the added expense of laboratory work-longer titles, etc.;
4. In recent years the leading manufacturers have improved their products, whereby we have obtained lenses with greater speed. These improved lenses make it possible to use less light and secure very pleasing effects. However, if we are compelled to increase our taking speed we have the equivalent of the old methods- sixty feet per minute with the F.3.5 lenses.
We are glad that you have adopted eighty feet per minute as a standard projection speed and trust that you will be able to secure the adoption of this speed by the exhibitors, it having been our experience that productions photographed at sixty feet per minute can be projected at eighty per minute with satisfactory results.
We would suggest that your committee adopt some standard for "projection lights;" that is, an "arc intensity" of so many amperes for a given screen area and length of throw. Of course, we realize that different theatres require special equipment but certainly something can be done to obviate the necessity of making special prints for exhibition in the key cities as, we understand, is the case of some productions.
We hope that we have answered your questions, and if we can render further assistance along these lines, please call upon us.
Sincerely,
(Signed) John W. Boyle,
Secretary.
John W. Boyle, "A.S.C. Advocates Holding 60 Ft. per Minute Taking Speed," American Cinematographer, May 1925, pages 20-21.
© 1998, David Pierce, on editing and revisions (if any)
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