US1428139A - Picture studio - Google Patents

Description

L. BROWN.

PICTURE STUDIO.

APPucmoN man 1An.2o. |920.

Patented sept. 5, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SEIU l.

L. BROWN.

PICTURE STUDIO. APPLICATION mm JAN. 2o, |920.

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Patented Sept.g5, 1922.

UNITED STATES` LLOYD Almowla oF'Los ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, AssIGNon To SILENT :DRAMA sYNDI` PATENT OFFICE.

GATE, A TRUSTEESHIP, LLOYD BROWN AND ALEXANDER GRAYDON, TBUSTEES'.

PICTURE sTUDIo.

application med January 2o, 192e. serial No. 352,766.

, cordingly, I now To all whom it may concern.'

Be it known that I, LLOYD BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California,` have inventedy new and useful Improvements in Picture Studios, of which thev following isa specification.

Ihis invention relates to studios and resorting to artificial illumination is mini-l mized or done away with.

Although, as I say, my studio is not necesa -sarily limited to the production of motion pictures, lit will facilitate an understanding of the invention to. describe my studio as it is designed particularly for the production of motion pictures. From such a specific description of the studio as designed particularly and used specifically for the production of motion pictures, the broad aspects and features of my invention, as well as detailed features applied particu larly for this purpose, will be apparent'. Ac-

tion of that speci c and preferred form of the invention whichis adapted particularly to the motion picture art.

In the production of moti-on pictures there are a great many disadvantages inherent in studio constructions and arrangements and inherent in operations. therein carried on, bthat my invention seeksfto overcome. Among some of these disadvantages I lmay mention particularly the lack of concentrationof properties andeffects.4 As seen later, my studio accompllshesgreat concentration and puts everything in very lconvenient relation so that the setting vup and shifting of scenes, etc., may be accomplished with the minimum of labon, `Furthermore,

the managing oices andguarters for properties. and dressingl quarters are allv concenlfrom natural means.

proceed to give a `descriptrated in al small area together with the stage upon which scenes are set and upon which the acting takes place, so that a minimum amount of moving about is required of the persons concerned in the production of a picture.

Furthermore, artlficial illumination to a great degree has to be resorted to in' the present production of motion pictures because of the changing illumination available For instance, when an interior scene isset up, it must be set in some fixed position and oo-ordination with 1 reference to the sun. The natural illumina-y y, tlon of this scene of course varies fromf'. .by x

hour to hour during the day; and evenif the natural sun illumination is suitable for such an interior scene at somel particular hour of the day, it will not` be suitable at any other time.

It .is one of the objects of the invention, and one of its primary features,-that it provides means for control of the natural sun illuminatlon in such a way as to make natural illumination available for interior scenes, etc.; and, furthermore, makes natural illumination easily controllable throughout the hours of the day.` It is a feature of my invention that it for originally obtaining the desired illumination but also 4for controlling. natural particular scene may be kept the same from provides means not only 485 `illumination so that the illummation of any hour to hour; and so that, within` a concentrated arrangement andy constructie-11` any desired kind -of illumination may be had, either direct, open sunlight, or sunlight diffused in such -a way as tol cast no shadow,

or sunlight either in its full intensity or re'- ducedto any desired degree.

VFor the purposes of now giving a better and more detailed understanding of my in'- vention, I now enter into a detailed description of ya preferred form of studio construc- ,tion adapted particularly to motion picture work; and from this description the broad `.and general features of my invention, as f well asthe details of the present preferred urposes I refer to the accompanying drawn in which ig.. 1 is a side elevation, showing my improved studio arrangement and construc- 'form thereof, will be apparent. For these tion, with parts shown in vertical section;

Fig. 2 is a plan. view thereof; Fig. 3 is a vertical detail section showing the construction of several of the parts; and Fig. 4 is a detail perspective showing construction and arrangement of the canopy.

I provide a housin. structure which may be made of an exterlor plan configuration suitable to the effective use of ground space. (It is my design in the use of my invention, to use a number, perhaps a large number of these studio structures in juxtaposition to each other, and. in conjunction with a common laboratory, shopbuildings, etc.) Thus the exterior structure may beA square or rectangular in plan, with four exterior Walls .10. The faades of these exterior wallsmay be ornamented in any suitable manner, or these walls may be exteriorly s so constructed and arranged that any desired orna mentation or scenery may be placed before them, so'that the exterior may be" used as scenery background for taking of certain pictures, street scenes,etc. Arranged around 4this structure, 1n hollow square arrangement, are the various rooms which maybe used as managers and directors oices, and ofiice for assistant director, and property rooms and the various dressing rooms.

These rooms are designated by the num erals 11, 12 and -13.

The roof of the structure forms the iioor i' 15. This floor has, in its central part, a cir- 'cular opening. 15, anda circular rotatable stage -16- fills this opening and forms a con#l tinuationof the floor 15. For all ,purposes and intents,iwhen-the circular stage is at' rest, the stage 16 and the Hoor 15 form one continuous ioor. It will be observed that the roof which forms the stationary floor 15 projects into close proximity, on substan-- tially the 'same level, to the edge of the stage 16; and in the form of the. invention shown in Fig. 2, this-stationary floor 15 projects inwardly, at the corners at least of. the stationary structure, vover the open space or quadrangle enclosed by the stationarystructure, so`that a veryl substantial stationary floor or working area-is providedl adjacent the rotatable stage.

Arrangement -"for access to the interior space .18 within the hollow square|` of rooms and beneath thev stage 16, and thus to the various roo s through suitable doors 19, may be arr nged for in any suitable manner. For instance, there may be entrances at 20 and 21, and from these entrances an inclined way 22 may lead up to the floor 15, It is obvlous that instead of this ramp 22, .a

stairway might be provided. An inclined. Vway 1s preferable to stairs, and the Way mav beof a suitably gentle slope to facilitate the 'easy transportation of heavy or large effects. I l

The` circular stage 16 may be constructed in any suitable manner and is carried upon a circular track 30. Wheels 31 mounted on the underside of the stage floor run upon this track. These wheels may be flanged so as to keep the stage centered; or the stage may be wholly centered by the action of the vertical shaft32. Central vertical shaft 32 is suitably mounted with respect to the stage and rotates therewith. This shaft may have 'at its lower end a bearing 33 and it carries a large gear 34 driven by pinion, 35 from a motor 36. The controls Eo be located in any suitable position, .and preferably at some place upon'the floor 15, so that the person controlling the motor may/ observe the position of the stage. Thus, for

instance, the controls may be located in a possible consistent with suitable strength.l

The frame is movable vertically upon cenr motor 36 may -tral shaft 32 and is supported'by cbles 43 which are attached to ring 40 and pass over pulleys 44 and thence pass down to alsmall trois for 'motor 46 may also be in control house 37. Pulleys 444 are mounted in a ring 47 preferably rotatable .about the shaft 32. The ring 40 fits shaft 32 loosel so thatthe canopies may be moved rotative y around the shaft and may also be moved up and down on the shaft.

The canopy frame may be covered with fabric or any other suitable covering. For instance, if a fabric is used, it may be supportedupon the frame and upon supporting Wires 50; .and cords 51' and 52 may be arranged in any of the well 'known manners so that the, fabric 53, which will be arranged in sections, may be extended out to cover the Whole canopy 'frame or may be reefed or parts of it may be uncovered, or the -Whole may be uncovered. Certain parts of the canopy frame may be covered with a heavy fabric, suchI as heavy canvas that will transmit relatively little light; andother sectlons, say three of four sections (for instance, the ones' shown reefed in Fig. 2) may be of thin muslin to act as light diifusers, transmitting a large amount of diffused light.

The canopy, as hereinbefore described may be moved vertically and it is apparent .that itmay also be rotated around the shaft 3 2. hen the canopy is set in any desired po- -winch 45 operated by motor l46. The con- 4 back against frame members41- ofthe Acansition, then it is guyed down .securely by guy ropes 55. And these guy-ropesalso are the mediums through which the canopy maybe rotatedabout the vertical shaft to any desired position -relative to the shaft and relative to the stage 16.' It'will thus beseen that the stage may beA rotated to any desired position relative to the floor and'to any` desired ordination or any desired position relative tothe position of the shaft. Also it Will be seen .that the canopy may .be raised or lowered so' as to put it higher above or closer down upon the settings upon stage 16; also that the canopy `covering may be reefed or extended to suit the lighting requirements.

. And, further, the canopy maybe rotated with reference to the-stage; and this is very yturn any desired part of the stage to a point convenient because, if 'certain parts of the canopy fabric are reefed, then it is very4 easy to turn the open portions ofthe canopy ov-er that'part of the stage where open light is desired. Furthermore, after any portions of the canopy covering are arranged togive just the light desired, that light is easily maintained. upon the setting by suitable rotation of the stage andv also by suitable relative rotation of the canopy from time to time. It will thus be readily recognized that any desired lighting effect may be produced, l'and whenproduced may be maintainedby proper movement ofthe stage' and canopy.,

Furthermore, the movement of the stage greatly facilitates the operation of setting up. and vtaking down scenes. v0n a stage of this character (which may, for instance, be about eighty feet or more in diameter) a number ofsettings may be put up; and it is very desirable and convenientto .be able to immedlately adjacent the runway 22: so that properties "and effects brought up the runway may be immediately transferred 'tol the stage without having to be carried around' the floor; although the fioor provides means for moving around the 'stage from setting to setting as` desired.v A manager `may operate several companies fof actors at the same time in the concentrated space upon such la stage,

and may do so very easily becausev he is .in close contact with all such companies at allV times. j

, There is an advantage also in the elevated arrangemeni of the stage and floor; in that I amenabled, by such an arrangement to put the directing offices, .property rooms,

dressing rooms, etc., close to the stage itself, and at the same time not have them in a position where they cut off light from the edges of the stage. In the usual arrangement of studios, if the dressing rooms are close to the stage itself, they cut off'l light from the edge portions of the stage, :1nd from the stage in general; or they must be placed atsuch adistance as to be somewhat V nconvenient- By elevating the floor and stage I obtain-unobstructed vlight for the stage; and at the same time I am enabled to efficiently utilize the space below the fioor and stage for the offices and rooms, etc.

While I have given a description with some particularity and detail, I have done so not only 4for making the preferred form of my invention intelligible and readily understood, but also for the purpose of'illus` trating and typifying my inyention, and not for the .purpose of pointing out its limits. Believing my invention to be broad in its scope and character, I do not limit myself to the particular things herein set forth, but

only considerlnyinvention limited in scope as may be expressed in the following claims, which are to be read and interpreted ina broad and fundamental as well as in aspecific sense relating to the structure herein described. n U

- Having described a preferred form of my invention, I claim:

1. In a picture studio construction, the;

combination of` an elevated rotatable stage, a stationary roofed and chambered structure surrounding said rotatable stage with its roof surface Yforming a stationary floor substantially level therewith, andan inclined 'approach leading to said stationary floor and stage. A

2. In a picture studio construction, the combination of an elevated rotatable stage of substantially circular formation, a substantially rectangular roofed and chambered structure surrounding said stage with its roof forming a stationary fioor substantially level with and closely fitted tosaid rotatable stage, an entrance in said stationary structure below the stationary floor to give access to the chambered sections, and leading through'said stationary structure to the roof" thereof-to give access to the stationary Hoor and stage.

3. In a picture studio construction, the

combination of an elevated rotatable stage of substantially circular formation, 'a sta.

tionary structure surrounding said stage,vthe roof of which forms a stationary floor substantially level and in continuation of said stage, a canopy support rising from said stage, a canopy mounted on said'support,

means for raising and lowering said canopy V by said support above the stage, said canopy having relatively opaque and translucent light diffusing parts.

6. A picture studio construction, embodying in combination a rotatable stage, a rotatably and vertically adjustable canopy frame, a covering carried by said frame above the stage adapted to be extended or folded upon the canopy frame.

7. A picture studio construction embodying incombination,"a rotatable stage, a rotatably .and vertically adjustable canopy frame and light diffusing canopy coverings carried by said frame above the stage adapted to be extended or folded upon the said frame.

8. A picture studio construction embodying in combination a vcentral elevated rotata ing the stage and having a roof forming an elevated licor surroundlng the stage and forming a continuation thereof, said structure includin below said licor suitable roomsfor ol ces and dressing rooms; and a canopy supported above the rotatable stage and rotatably adjustable with reference thereto.

9. A picturestudio construction embodyin in combination a central elevated-rotata le stage, a stationary structure surround- Iing the stage and having a roof forming an elevated floor surrounding the sta e and forming a continuation thereof, sai structure includin below its floor suitable rooms.

for offices an dressingrooms; and a canopy having light diffusing portions supported above the rotatable stage and rotatably adjustable with reference thereto.

10. A picture studio construction, embodyin in combination a central elevated rotatab e stage, a stationary structurev surrounding the stagel and having an elevated floor surrounding the stage and forming a continuation thereof, said structure including below its floor suitable rooms for oflices and dressing rooms; a canopy support and a canopyv supported above the stage, vand rotatab y and vertically adjustable with referencethereto. y

11. A picture studio construction, embodyin in` combination a central elevated rotatab e stage, a stationaryV structure surrounding the stage and having an elevated floor surrounding the stage and forming a continuation thereof, said structure including belowitsloor suitable rooms for oiices frame and y adapted .to

and dressing rooms; aicent'ral vertical shaft rising from the stage, a canopyframe mounted u on said central vertical shaft to be vertica y adjustable thereon and `,rotatably adjustable thereon with reference to the shaft and to. the rotatable stage, and canopy .coverings arran ed upon the canopy e spread or reefed as desired.

le stage, a stationarystructure surround:

12. A picture studio construction, em bodyin in combination a central elevated rotatab e stage, a stationary structure surrounding the stage and having an elevated floor surrounding the stage and forming a Amounted upon said central vertical shaft to be vertically adjustable thereon and rotatably adjustable thereon with reference to the shaft and to the rotatable stage, and canopy coverings arranged upon the canopy frame and adapted to be spread or reefed qas desired; some of said canopy coverings bein relatively opaque and others being relatively translucen 13. In a picture Studio construction, the combination of a movable stage, a canopy support, a canopy mounted on said support above the stage and independently movable relative thereto, said` canopy having relatively shiftable parts capable of adjustment to vary the light passing through different sections of said canopy.

14. In a picture studio construction, the

combination of a movable stage, a canopy support, a canopy mounted on vsaid support above said stage and shiftable vertically relative to said stage, said canopy having relatively shiftable parts capable of adjustment to vary. the li ht passing through different sections of said canopya 15. Ina picture studio construction, the combi-nation di a movable stage, a canopy support, a lcanopy mounted on said 'support above said stage and shiftable rotatably relative to said stage, saidcanop having relatively shiftablepparts capab e of adjustment to vary the light passing through different sections of said canopy.

16. In a picture studio construction, the combination of a movable stage, a canopy support, a'canopy mounted on said support above said stage and shiftable rotatably and vertically relative to said stage, said canopy` having relatively shift'able parts capable yof ustment to vary thev light passing through disposed canopy support rising from said stage, a canopy mounted on said support, means for raising and lowering said canopy, said canopy comprising` areas made up of shiftable members to vary the. light passing through sections of said canopy.

^ 18. In a picture studio construction, the

combination of a rotatable Stage,-a centrally sdisposed canopy support rising from said stage, a canopy mounted on said support and-- rotatable thereon independently of said stage, means for raising` and lowering said canopy, said canopy comprising areas made up of shiftable members to vary the light passin through'sections of said canopy.

19. n a picture studio construction, the combination of a stationary structure surrounding an open space and provided with rooms, a roof for said structure extending inwardly over a part of said open space and forming a stationary, floor, a rotatable sta e mounted in said open space substantial y on a level with and forming a continuation of said roof, a canopy support rising eentrally from said rotatable stage, a canopy mounted on said support, and means for raising and lowering said canopy.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 31st day of December',` 1919.

LLOYD BROWN. 1

Witness:

VIRGINIA I. BERINGER'.

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