METRO TO FILM TOP PIX IN 65M | Read more at in70mm.com The 70mm Newsletter |
| Written by: HOLLYWOOD REPORTER 27 APRIL 55. Prepared for in70mm.com by Brian Guckian, Dublin, Ireland | Date: 15.01.2015 |
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Metro yesterday became the first major studio to announce a switch to 65m
photography for all of its top productions. The new filming technique will
make possible the presentation of these pix on the largest screens available
anywhere, it was disclosed in an announcement by E. J. Mannix, studio
general manager, concerning important new technical advancements and
expansion of operational facilities in all departments. The new system for filming will utilize conventional-type cameras with mechanisms adapted to handle double-size negative and the APO Panatar, a taking lens developed by Panavision. To achieve printing flexibility so that top pix will not be limited to only super-sized projection, studio will use the Micro Panatar, Panavision's optical printing lens that permits prints fn standard gauge, wide-screen or anamorphic. While announcement that Metro has decided to enter the super big-screen race as the first major is new, studio's technical experts have been working on the development of a technique with simplification of operation for upwards of a year with Panavision prexy Robert Gottschalk and John R. Moore, executive veepee. Numerous tests have been carried on recently and even more comprehensive tests, with probable assignment of the first production to use the system, will be undertaken in about three weeks. Meantime, Panavision is going ahead with the development of added units. System is so designed that exhibition prints will accommodate optical or magnetic sound tracks for standard screens and processes up to super-stereophonic sound for the largest screens in either magnetic or optical forms. Tests so far show that the special camera lenses developed by Panavision provide for simple operation, minimum weight and photographic images with a focus sharpness and freedom from distortion not "hitherto achieved in large-screen presentations," the Mannix announcement stated. Mannix said the new production resources have been planned and carried out by J. J. Conn and technical experts in all branches concerned, giving credit to Douglas Shearer, in charge of technical research, assisted by Franklin Milton; John Arnold, head of the camera department; Merle Cham-Berlin, projection, and his staff; E. J. Tucker, laboratory, and staff such as Irving Ries, Jack Turner, Elmer Londre, and Herman Lentz. It was stated that experiments date back to the early wide-screen effects used in the first "Billy the Kid" film made by Metro nearly 25 years ago. At all times, experiments were tied in with achieving sound quality and, to this end, Wesley C. Miller, sound department head, is incorporating the super-stereophonic form of recording into his department with a minimum modification of present recording equipment. | More in 70mm reading: Panavison Large Format Motion Picture Systems The Importance of Panavision Super Panavision 70 Ultra Panavision 70 Ultra Panavision 70 Lens Internet link: "The Motion Picture Projectionist" |
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