Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: The United Nations goes to the movies

This is topic The United Nations goes to the movies in forum Film-Yak at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 11-06-2002, 02:44 PM:

I found this photo in the 1953-54 Theatre Catalog. It's in an article about architect Ben Schlanger, who consulted on the hall's design and construction.

It's the General Assembly Hall at the United Nations in New York. Note the windows in the balcony that would be appropriate for motion picture projection.

Was this assembly hall ever equipped for motion pictures? Was it ever used? In what way? Newsreels maybe? Is it still equipped for such?

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 11-06-2002, 03:01 PM:

Sure looks like the ports for a two projector changeover booth!

Some mention of AV in some recent UN budget documents:
here

There have been screenings:
here

Here is the media information for delegations:
here

------------------
John P. Pytlak, Senior Technical Specialist
Worldwide Technical Services, Entertainment Imaging
Research Labs, Building 69, Room 7525A
Rochester, New York, 14650-1922 USA
Tel: +1 585 477 5325 Cell: +1 585 781 4036 Fax: +1 585 722 7243
e-mail: john.pytlak@kodak.com
Web site: http://www.kodak.com/go/motion

Posted by Adam Martin (Member # 641) on 11-06-2002, 03:39 PM:

It looks like the Human Rights Film Festival was held in the Dag Hammarskjöld Library Auditorium.

In the General Assembly Hall, the shape of the stage area seems prohibitive for a large rectangular screen. Here's a photo taken in August 2000 of the (apparently, rarely photographed) rear of the hall. I can't tell if the windows are still there or not.

Posted by John Pytlak (Member # 331) on 11-06-2002, 03:41 PM:

Does look like some bright windows in the rear that would need to be covered to avoid throwing stray light on any screen.

Posted by Daryl C. W. O'Shea (Member # 1303) on 11-06-2002, 03:46 PM:

Looks like the port windows are still there.
The 'white blocks' are to the left of the ceiling pot lights just like in the first black and white photo.
If you look real closely, there are dark 'black blocks' where the projection ports are (if they are indeed for projection).