Motography (Jan-Jun 1918)

January 5, 1918. MOTOGRAPHY 31 Gets Remarkable Moonlight Scene Director George Loan Tucker Secures Realistic Night Photographic Effect in Goldwyn Picture "T HE realistic night effects secured in * Goldwyn pictures are varied in Mae Marsh's forthcoming vehicle, "The Cinderella Man" by a photographic novelty of the highest order, devised and introduced hy George Loane Tucker. The scene is on the water in the bav of Naples. Italy, at night. It is just a short, atmosnheric note in the action, but it affords a thrill in giving the effect of the moon passing from under a cloud. The scene does not show the moon. Mr. Tucker contends that there is much more to be gained by suggestion than by representation, so all that is seen is just the light of the moon, bathing everything in the 'picture. First the scene is toned deep blue with the moon under the cloud, and then suddenly, as the moon come= out, everything is illumined by a bright light. In the continuity of "The Cinderella Man," which was written bv Director Tucker, mav be found the explanation of how the effect was secured. "Tone the scene blup." reads the direction ; "and let three feet run black-andwhite." It is very simple when one know; how it is done, but it is highly successful on the screen in indicating the shifting moonlight. Another novel effect of lighting occurs in the same play. It is a scene in Marjorie Caner's bedroom that onens with what is known technically as a "fade-in." That is to say, out of tb<= darkness thp scene graduallv appears. This is accomplished by adjusting the opening before the camera lens so that more and more light is admitted. Usually, the hard edges of the opening are seen in the picture, but not so here. Director Tucker solved the difficulty by gradually strengthening the light from the great Cooper-Hewitts that illuminated the scene. The result is that the fade-in is per fect. The tinting method was employed here, the first four feet running' black and white and the rest being colored. Mutual Closes Memphis Exchange The latest announcement in the Tennessee exchange field is that the Mutual Film Corporation will close its Memphis office. It is proposed to wind up the affairs of the exchange within the next week or ten days. Sales Manager Joins Aviation Corps Gordon Laurence, sales promotion manager for the Greater Vitagraph distributing organization, has received orders to proceed to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. There he will receive preliminary instruction in the theory of flying, the mechanics of airplane engines and other branches of aviation, after which he will begin practical training for his work in the service of Uncle Sam. He has been slated for provisional commission in the Naval Reserve Flying Corps. National Association Is Growing New Members of N. A. of M. P. I. Are Reported at First Meeting of New Executive Committee HT HE members of the executive committee of the National Association of the Motion Picture Industry, as recently appointed for the ensuing year by President William A. Brady, met for the first time on Monday afternoon and transacted considerable routine business. The meeting was presided over by Chairman Walter W. Irwin of Greater Vitagraph, with the following members in attendance: President William A. Brady, World Film; J. E. Brulatour, Eastman Films; P. A. Powers, Universal; Arthur S. Friend, Paramount-Artcraft-Famous Players; William A. Johnston, General Division; Louis F. Blumenthal and Louis L. Levine. The following officials representing producing and distributing companies of the Motion Picture Exhibitors' League of America, members of the Association were also in attendance by invitation: W. R. Sheehan, Fox Film Corp.; R. H. Cochrane, Universal Film Mfg. Co.; W. E. Atkinson, Metro Pictures Corporation. Felix Feist, World Film Corporation and William Wright, Kalem Company. Reports of several committees were read, indicating wide-spread activities on behalf of the various divisions of the organization which they represent showing good results accomplished in every direction. Executive Secretary Frederick H. Elliott reported the formation of a new branch comprising members eligible as Class C producers and the following companies actively assisting in the organization of this branch of which Joseph A. Golden of Crystal is chairman, with L. Abrams of Craftsman as secretary: Biograph Co., Craftsmen Film Laboratories, Crystal Film Co., Eclipse Film Laboratories, Inc., Erbograph Co., Kalem Company, Evans Film Mfg. Co. and Paragon Films, Inc. That the National Association is making splendid progress in enrolling new members was shown by the election of the following companies and individuals to membership: Ogden Pictures Corporation, Eclipse Film Laboratories, Inc., Arthur H. Jacobs Photoplay Company, Craftsmen Film Laboratories, Biograph Co., Paragon Films, Inc., Greater N. Y. Slide Co., Carl Anderson. Studio Director; H. C. Segal, State Rights Buyer, and Albert H. Cormier in the General Division. The committee went on record in advocating the appointment of Grant W. Anson as commissioner of licenses for New York City through a letter which is to be addressed to Mayor-elect Hylan by President Brady, endorsing Mr. Anson's candidacy for this important post in the new administration. It was decided to issue a call for the quarterly meeting of the board of directors to be held at the headquarters of the National Association in the Times Building on Friday, December 14 at eleven o'clock. Margarita Fischer is the sta 'Mollie Go Get 'Em.' Pathe Gets Thompson Pathe announces that Frederick Thompson, maker of what is generally known as Marguerite Clark's best picture, "The Goose Girl," and many other successes, and further distinguished as the first legitimate stage director to go into motion pictures, has been engaged to direct Bessie Love.