International photographer (Feb-Dec 1929)

December, 1929 The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Forty-three THE STILL CAMERA IN MOTION PICTURES (Concluded from Page 27) acquainted with the personalities and productions they buy when they pay for their tickets at the box office window. Here the still man is of outstanding importance. Pictures can say more in less time and a lot less space than words and, in many cases, in a much more interesting manner. The advertising of motion pictures, either in trade publications for the exhibitors, newspapers for the public, theatre advertising for the immediate local runs, or what not, is based primarily upon still pictures. They tell the story in the most interesting manner. Highpowered catchlines command the eye of the prospective theatregoer, but it is the picture he looks at. It spells authenticitv. People want to see it. Like the old theory "seeing is believing," the still picture shows them. This manner of bringing a production before the public could be divided into a thousand different parts, but the major ones will suffice. A feminine star has greater opportunities to have her photograph constantly before the public than has a masculine one. The field of fashions is open to her. The newest creations come to the stars first. The stars are photographed in them and then these fashions reach the rest of the world through the medium of still pictures. The star's beauty and charm command the atten tion of magazines, fan publications, current news periodicals, etc. The public sees — and is interested in her. Then again, a star is almost public property. Their smallest comings and goings are news to the world, therefore, the public likes to know how screenland's celebrities live. The still man is despatched to their homes to bring back permanent records of their houses, both interiors and exteriors, and the novel appointments which characterize their residences. People like to see their favorites in bathing suits, tennis togs, golf outfits, motoring modes, airplane attire, informal clothes, formal clothes and so on. It is up to the still man to provide pictures of them in these many and various different poses and raiments. Many a star of the present day, and there are more to come, has first been introduced to the public by still pictures posed in this manner months before her first picture is even released. She became known by her still pictures long before she was ever known in moving pictures! Such is the power of the still man. Strange as it may seem, almost paradoxical in fact, the still photographer is one of the most vital artists in an industry dealing in motion and action. Like the bare-waisted stoker, who feeds the fire of a great liner at sea, his glory must go unsung. But the achievement remains. DYER SCORES IN "FLIGHT'' Elmer Dyer is getting a great hand from the critics and reviewers on the excellence of his photography in "Flight," the Fox aerial picture. Mr. Dyer wants it understood, by the way, that he can photograph on terra firma as well as in the air. He is a top notcher whereever he is placed. o Harry Fischbeck, Geo. Clemens and Fleet Southcott have finished their assignment on "The Paramount Parade" and will soon start with Frank Tuttle on "Only the Brand," featuring Gary Cooper and Mary Brian. Harry, handicapped by George and Fleet, has done some very excellent work recently in both B & W and color that will keep him up amongst the leaders of the actinic artists who handle lumens with a lavish hand. Virgil Miller says that golf scores should not be reckoned in strokes or holes, but as he recently announced his own score, viz: 38 divots, 22 topped drives, 16 slices, 1 hook, 7 lost balls and a headache. FOR RENT 1 2 1C —Mitchell Motor —1000 foot Magazines —Speed Gear Box jmplete Mitchell Sound Camera Donald B. Keyes Phone: HE-1841 HE-1128 3236 Bennett Drive CRECO, Inc. » 1027 Seward St. — GLadstone 4 181— 4182 A The Place of Complete Motion Picture Electrical Equipment ** Motor Generator Sets You ' Gas Generator Sets Gas Wind Machines Water Pumps M A N U A C T U R E R Cannot ^ Miss*. With j* CRECO T Equipment A NITE AND SUNDAY PHONES : Incandescents Arcs Cables Plugging Boxes Feeder Cables Carbons Gelatin S Harrod-GR 1983 Merritt-OX 6557 Campbell-DU 8705 S