(LEFT) The author uses his budget-saving "squawk box" to locate spot for a sound cut. (CENTER) A slit is sawed near the projection port of the Bell & Howell Model 202 projector so that film can be inserted and removed easily for editing. (RIGHT) For optical sound reading, the editor marks the located word on the track at the optical scanning lens. For magnetic track, he turns the magnetic head to a position slightly above the optical lens in order to facilitate marking. MODIFYING A PROJECTOR TO BE USED AS A SOUND READER For the film-maker on a budget-a way to make equipment serve a double-duty purpose A unique plan I conceived for using These thoughts prompted me to re¬ make my 202 function additionally as my Bell & Howell 202 projector as a analyze my budget, but my hopes were a sound reader. Why not use the opti¬ sound reader really paid off! The divi¬ soon squelched. Every dollar had been cal and magnetic heads and amplifier dend was a solved budget problem. spent. of Like other occasional was faced funds. with Even a renting producers, limited a source sound I of reader was out of the picture and to compli¬ Later that evening I remembered an his Bell & Howell 202 projector to re¬ cord and play back double-system the issues of AMERICAN CINEMATOGRA¬ counter trying to track without a was no ment. locate words on sound necessary a reader. There doubt about it ... I have this en¬ piece had to of equip¬ sound projector does when sound film passes sound. I went to my bookcase and be¬ would reading through it. gan searching through numerous back I for about a producer who had modified to cut on the word. I quickly realized situation machine article I had read several years ago cate matters it was necessary for me impossible the tracks? After all that is what a sound I could hardly believe I had a solu¬ tion to the problem that had baffled me for so long. I began the necessary modification steps the next day. "A Owners of Bell & Howell 302 pro¬ Sound System For Sixteen MM," in the jectors will be interested to know that April 1 960 issue. this modification can PHER. I finally found the article, While reading the article an idea suddenly came to mind on how to be installed on their machines in the same manner as described for the 202. (LEFT) The projector door has been modified so that it is detachable. This is necessary in order that the track may be easily advanced. (CENTER) The threading path necessary for using the B & H 202 as a sound reader. White leader is used for photographic purposes only. (RIGHT) Closeup showing the auxiliary guide roller (upper right) added by the author as essential for film flow onto the sound reading drum. This modification does not in any way interfere with the normal use of the projector for projection purposes. 670 AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER, SEPTEMBER 1968