Patent GB-375894-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in talking motion pictures
IPC: G03B31/00
Filed: 1931-04-08
Abstract: 375,894. Associated working of sound-recording apparatus with kinematographs. OWENS, F. H., 2647, Broadway, New York, U.S.A, April 8, 1931, No. 10358. [Class 40 (ii).] A method of preparing cartoon and like motion pictures for projection synchronously with sound reproduction consists in (a) first recording the sound and simultaneously photographing successive film "footage" and other indications given by a device which is driven in synchronism with the sound recorder, and (b) afterwards photographing the drawings or like pictures, whilst using the recorded footage &c. indications to determine the spacing of the individual pictures along the film necessary to ensure synchronism with the sound. The apparatus shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a combined motion-picture camera 1 and a sound-film recording camera 2, driven together by a motor 11, the sound-recording device being associated with an amplifier 5 and a microphone 4. An indicating board 17 is adjustably set up before the camera 1, and is provided at each end with spools for receiving a chart 22 which bears musical notation or words &c. appropriate to the cartoon pictures. A flexible shaft 24 is connected at one end to a shaft in the camera 1 and at the other end to a shaft 25 mounted at the back of the board 17. The shaft 25 is geared to the spindle of the take-up spool 28, so that when the apparatus is in action the chart 22 is drawn across the board 17 from one spool to the other, past indicating marks 23, and is moved in synchronism with the films in the cameras 1, 2. The board also carries graduated dials over which pointers 29, 30, 31 respectively move. The pointers 30, 31 are driven by gearing from the shaft 25, which is so designed that the pointer 30 makes one revolution for, say, four hundred feet of film passing through the camera 1 (its dial being graduated in feet), whilst the pointer 31 moves round once for every foot of film over a dial having sixteen divisions, representing the " frames " in each foot of film. The pointer 29 is independently operated at will by electromagnetic pawl and ratchet mechanism controlled by a manual switch 48, and can be used to mark the beats of the music being recorded. The indicating board 17 is illuminated by a lamp 19. In use, an artist or speaker standing by the microphone is guided by the indications on the chart 22, and the speech or music is recorded whilst at the same time a photographic record is made by the camera 1 of the changing indications given by the chart and the pointers. If desired the chart 22 may be masked at any time, and instead of it images of a person &c. may be substituted as an indication that similar images are to be used instead of the cartoons. The record made by the camera 1 shows the exact frame and footage and the beat of the music &c. at which each sound is recorded; the cartoonist then uses these indications to enable him to match the actions depicted on his drawings with the recorded sound, and to photograph the drawings with appropriate spacing on a film in the cartoon camera. For this purpose, the apparatus shown in Fig. 3 is used. It comprises a work-table 49 below which is provided an apparatus 51 for projecting upon a screen 50 the successive images appearing on the indicating record made by the camera 1. Above the table a motion-picture camera 55 is supported so that it can be used to photograph the cartoon sheets or drawings 57 when they are placed one by one beneath the lens 55a and illuminated by lamps 58. A counter 55b is also preferably provided to indicate the footage of the film as it passes through the camera and the frames of each foot. The sound record made in the camera 2 and the cartoon film prepared in the camera 55 may be printed together on a common positive film. The invention may also be used in a system in which the sound is recorded on a disc. Specification 355,578 is referred to.