SOUND PICTURE RECORDING AT MOVIE STUDIO.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18874, 26 September 1929, Page 7

SOUND PICTURE RECORDING AT MOVIE STUDIO.

The recording of sound pictures in the studio, and their presentation in the theatre, necessitates the learning of an entirely new technique in the picture industry. Just as during the years past the problems in photography have received serious attention by scientists, as well as studio experts, many perplexing questions incidental to sound recording and reproducing now occupy the field. A visit to the modern motion picture studio shows many changes—electricians in their glass cages—one of which is shown in the above illustration—the cameramen now occupying sound-proof booths so that the whirr of the camera mechanism will not interfere with the recording of voices or music, and the general atmosphere of silence, instead of the former noises and bustle of former days. The so-called silent picture may have been silent in the theatre, but the studios themselves were very noisy establishmen ts. Mr J. H. Barker, jun., managing director of the Western Electric Company (N.Z.), Ltd., who is now in Christchurch in connection with the installation of his equipment at the Civic Theatre, stated that his company had equipped three theatres in Christchurch, and that, just as methods in the motion picture studios were changing due to the advent of the talking picture, equal changes were being made in the theatres themselves to accom-

modate them to the talking film. His engineers are required to make a close study of the acoustic properties of each theatre to be equipped, the proper type equipment must be selected for a given theatre, and the auditorium itself given proper acoustic treatment in order to ensure the best results. “ The Civic Theatre," said Mr Barker, “is the latest theatre in Christchurch to be equipped with our apparatus. The survey made by our engineers indicates that it is well adapted for the presentation of talking picture programmes, and from what I have been told, the management has provided for its patrons a very interesting selection of sound film.” In commenting on the apparatus furnished the Civic Theatre, Mr Barker stated that standard reproducing apparatus was found, with some innovations, to meet requirements, and, judged on the basis of special test runs and rehearsals during the past few days, Civic patrons are assured of excellent reproduction. He further stated fhat a large part of the success of talking pictures was dependent upon the operation of the apparatus by the management of the theatre, and told his interviewer that his company had been singularly fortunate with Christ- , church theatres using his equipment in that operators have shown themselves especiallv skilful to the correct use of the necessary mechanism.