International photographer (Jan-Dec 1934)

l'hirty-six The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER July, 1934 REORGANIZED DEFENSE FORCE BEGINS SERVICE By George J. Lancaster, Lieut, j. g. C. N. M., Approved by Gene Owen Hagberg, Lieut. C. N. M . in Charge of Recruiting TANDING at attention, their right hands raised as they repeated the words of their oath of service administered by Commander L. F. Brown, California Naval Militia, one hundred and fifty officers and men were sworn into the Naval Militia, June 20, 1934, at the Naval Reserve Headquarters, 1965 South Los Angeles Street. Grouped into battalion formation, the men, mostly from Hollywood, who were previously trained in the R. O. T. C. regiments, together with their line and staff officers, who are naval veterans of the World War, marched into the headquarters and formed a long line. Commander Brown upon being introduced, declared it to be the first time he ever had had an apportunity of viewing such a number of clean cut youths so well trained. These men were recruited by Lieutenant Gene Owen Hagberg, aided by Lieut, j. g. George J. Lancaster. "Because of his diligent efforts in recruiting such a large number of men at one time and for his facility in recruiting," said Commander Brown, "I am placing Lieut. Hagberg on my staff as recruiting officer with the whole of Los Angeles as his base and the whole of California to work in." Toward this end Lieut. Hagberg has made plans to fill the complements in the ranks of the Los Angeles area to their capacity. In addition Lieut. Hagberg has been authorized by Commander Brown to bring the three regiments for the state up to six thousand men. The fourth division, comprising artificers, officers and men is now in course of organization. This will in clude cinematographers, laboratory technicians from Hollywood, and the photographic corps. Having set this division well on its way Lieut. Hagberg has turned the division over to Commander Brown, with Lieut, j. g. James J. Palmer as cinematographer officer. Other branches in the artificers will comprise the engineering forces below decks. The aviation unit is headed by Rov Klaffki. Marlin spike and seamanship instructions has been assigned to Lieut, j. g. Lancaster, navigation officer, of unit. The Militia was organized in 1889, but after being taken into the United States Navy during the World War, remained inactive until recently, when George Hearst, Commodore, C. N. M., started the reorganization that culminated in the recruiting of such a large personnel. Said Commodore Hearst: "It is a source of gratification that patriotic men of California are building a powerful reserve force to supplement a strengthened Navy, keeping ever in mind the words of George Washington, who left us an abiding lesson which is just as true today as the day he uttered it, that the true way to preserve the peace of a nation is always to be prepared for war." Applications and information regarding enlistment may be obtained at the recruiting office, 1605 North Cahuenga Avenue, Room 11. The International Photographer is proud to state that much of Lieut. Hagberg's fine work was done right here in the offices of this magazine. THE CAMERAMAN AS DIRECTOR By Jack Alton (One of our boys ivay Joivn in the Argentine) UITE often it is observed, especially by one who dwells in a steamer trunk, that when in need of something, let us say a pencil, he goes out and buys it ; that done, into the trunk it goes. Now, if instead of buying a pencil one would take the trouble of looking for it in the trunk, most assuredly he would find more than one there. Very similar is the case of the producer looking for a director. He usually takes a trip to Europe, a rubberneck ride around Unter der Linden in Berlin, a peek behind the curtain of the Parisian night life and he returns with a genius. How much simpler it would be to phone for one right under the "Great Wall" of the studio, in a place so near and yet so far from them, the place that is recognized as the camera department, a place where there is more directorial talent hidden than any other place in the world. We must admit that many a cameraman would not be attracted by a mere directorial assignment. They have already reached their life ambition ; they have become golf champions or baseball and football specialists. They usually go out for a smoke while the director rehearses. Then there are others who say little, but think a lot; who have accumulated a wealth of motion picture knowledge and that's where the future director will come from. Many of the few cameramen here have been given a megaphone and failed as directors. But why? They failed because they remained cameramen. They kept on worrying about the photography, ordering lights, etc., thereby driving both the cameraman and the gaffer absolutely crazy. The result? That the picture was neither photographed nor directed. It is contrary to reason to photograph and direct simultaneously. The new director must forget that he ever was a cameraman. By watching the actor's face through the blue glass, one sees, at least one should see, the light effect desired, whereas looking at it from the director's point of view one receives the dramatic expression. It is for the director to see that the author's mind, spirit and thought are faithfully reflected upon the mind of the audience. This is an extremely difficult task and far from what the cameraman should concentrate upon. Both in Germany and in France one of the best hits of the season was directed by ex-cameramen. I use the expression "ex" because both ceased to be cameramen. They focused the attention upon the direction and left the photography to its proper authorities. The great success of these two young directors has proven the value of camera training. One of them is entitled "Le Bataile," directed by Nicholas Farcas, a good friend of mine ivho served for years as the unknown soldier; his picture is a knockout. The other is called "Fugitives", a Chinese story directed by Gustav Usicky, also an ex-cinematographer. At last things are moving. The boys are getting a chance; a chance ivell earned. There are many good boys in Hollyivood "659" zvho have lost faith. For years they have been waiting for their chance. For years directors got by with their ideas; for years yokels got the credit for the work of cameramen. I do hope that a producer will zuake up and start the ball rolling. It will serve as a safety valve of the over congested camera department. The pressure is too high. In Europe a cameraman is considered an important Please mention The International Photographer when corresponding with advertisers.