Documentary News Letter (1947-1949)

110 DOCUMENTARY NEWS LETTER SCIENTIFIC FILM NEWS By MICHAEL MICHAELIS 'to promote the national and international use of the scientific film in order to achieve the widest possible understanding and appreciation of scientific method and outlook, especially in relation to social progress'. Thus reads the first object of the Scientific Film Association. Scientific films are being recognized by daily widening sections of the public for the valuable contributions they are making to the social, industrial and educational life of the community. The part played by the Scientific Film Association in bringing about this recognition is of major importance. With almost 450 corporate and ordinary members, including Scientific Film Societies having a total membership of about ten thousand, the Association is the only body in this country representing the interests of users of scientific films. Its activities, carried out almost entirely by voluntary labour, are very widespread. Within the compass of this short article, only some of the more important aspects of the Association's work can be outlined. It is hoped to enlarge upon these and to present further Scientific Film News in later issues of this journal. Apart from the Scientific Film Societies, three of the foremost users of scientific films, served by the Association, are Industry, Medicine and Schools. Industry: A conference was held by the Scientific Film Association in London on March 6th, 1947, under the title 'Films in Industry'. Over two hundred of the country's leading industrial concerns sent delegates who were addressed by a number of experts in the subject. Mr R. K. Neilson Baxter spoke on the 'Industrial Film Maker's Problems' and called for close co-operation between industrial sponsor and film producer. Instructor Commander J. A. Burnett, RN, dealt with the effective use of films and film strips in technical training and gave some practical demonstrations. Mr F. H. Perkins traced the film's contributions through the various stages of technical instruction. Mr D. R. O. Thomas spoke of the film as an integrating medium treating imaginatively the responsibilities of industry within the community. An open forum for questions and a film show concluded the conference, which was held under the chairmanship of Sir Stephen Tallents, KCMG, CB, CBE. Valuable work is progressing on bringing upto-date the interim list, compiled by the Industrial Committee of the Association, of 200 industrial films available in this country. A scheme inaugurated by the Association for joint sponsorship of industrial training films, is approaching its practical working form. Under this scheme, a number of firms jointly sponsor films of interest to them all, thus reducing the cost per firm of film production. Medicine: A catalogue of medical films available in Great Britain is being published jointly by the Association and the Royal Society of Medicine. Over 800 films will be listed, the result of investigations by Dr Brian Stanford, hon. secretary of the Medical Committee, working on behalf of the Association under a special grant from the Royal Society of Medicine. The use of films in medical teaching has received widespread attention through conferences held by the Association last year. Lists of subjects on which films are desired by teachers of medicine have been published as a result of a detailed questionnaire to medical schools. The establishment of a Central Medical Film Library in this country is being advocated as a means of making widely available the pioneer work of many individuals in this field. British medical films lead the world and should be freely available at least in their country of origin, if not beyond. Schools: In so far as all scientific films can be said to be educational in the widest sense, the special value of such films as an educational tool is recognized by the Association. It is also appreciated that other visual aids, such as filmstrips, models and wall charts have a specific part to contribute to a coherent lesson. In consequence of these considerations, the Association, through its Education Committee, drew up plans for the 'Visual Unit' comprising all these media. These plans, submitted to the Ministry of Education, were accepted and production of the first \isual unit on Water Supply is almost complete. It marks an important step in the concept of visual education which the Ministry has recognized by the recent appointment of the National Council for Visual Education. Further memoranda on the production of visual units have been submitted to the Ministry and are receiving attention. Film viewings for science teachers are now held regularly and methods for the appraisal of school films are being developed. The collection of film data, appraisal of films and publication of supplements to the Association's film catalogues and film lists are proceeding apace to keep abreast of the growing quest for information from all parts of the world. Indeed, to complete this short sur\ey, mention should be made of the international contacts being developed. An interim report on Scientific Films in Foreign Countries has been published. The preliminary investigation covered 33 countries throughout the world, albeit briefly, and additions will be made as more information becomes available. Conversely, too, the distribution of British films in those countries is being investigated and actively encouraged wherever possible. Close contact is being maintained with UNESCO at whose disposal the Association has placed such services as its specialized knowledge best fits it to perform. Finally, in collaboration with l'lnstitut de Cinimatographie Scientifique in Paris, preparations are being completed for the forthcoming inauguration of an International Scientific Film Association pointing the way to free interchange of films and knowledge between the peoples of the world. The publications mentioned in this report are available from the Scientitic Film Association, 34 Soho Square. London, \\ I . CAMERA HIRE SERVICE PHONE: GER. 1365-6-7-8 All inquiries: NEWMAN SINCLAIR MODELS 'A' & 'E9 W ITH FULL RANGE OF EQUIPMENT AND TRIPODS ALSO NEWMAN HIGH-SPEED CAMERA S.F.L. LTD., 71 DEAN STREET, LONDON, WJ