Moving Picture Age (Jan-Dec 1921)

EDITORIALS QT-G) New Series for Education IN the last issue of Moving Picture Age regret was expressed that the announcement of a special series of articles for the educator could not be made at that time. Arrangements have been completed, however, and Moving Picture Age can now announce that beginning with the March issue a special series of six articles on the use of moving pictures in the schools will be written by Charles Roach, of the Visual Instruction Service, Iowa State College of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts. Mr. Roach has had considerable experience in educational film work and this series will be of great value to any educator using or contemplating the use of film. This series will serve the purpose of the schools similar to that served by the series of articles by Rev. Roy L. Smith for the church. The outline of the series is as follows : 1. Visual Instruction in the Schoolroom. a. Slides, b. Films. 2. Equipment. Projectors ; stereopticons ; cinema ; illuminants, gas, arc, mazda ; screens and accessories. Projection room and booths. Daylight projection. 3. Use and Abuse of Films. Film inspection and repair. Preparation for shipment. Selection of films and booking". 4. Film Library for Schools. State. Commercial. Philanthropic — endowed library. 5. Presentation of the Reel Lesson. Preparation. Presentation. Recitation. Review. 6. The School House as a Recreation Center. Film entertainments. Socializing influence. In addition to this series other educators will contribute articles from time to time. The March issue especially will contain much of interest to the educator as Moving Picture Age will have a booth and distribute copies at the spring National Education Association meeting, Atlantic City. Selling with Film HOW many times has a salesman said, "Oh, if only I could get the prospect to see an installation I would have him sold." But, the problem of getting a prospect to see the installation is difficult and often impossible as the prospect may be in Chicago and the installation in Texas. Photographs tell half the tale ; as they show no action accounts of results seem incredulous and may appear almost miraculous. If the prospect, however, could be shown the equipment in action he would be more inclined to believe the salesman's stories. To the prospect who "must be shown," a new type of salesman and sales effort is being used. Now the salesman takes with him a portable moving picture machine containing a reel of film. This he carries into the prospect's office and with the curtains down and lights out projects on the wall a reel of film showing the equipment in action and an actual installation. The darkened room discourages interruption and this means concentration. In addition the carefully thought out sales picture-talk disposes of and answers any possible objections. No part of the sales talk is omitted as is possible with any salesman. Neither is it given halfheartedly. Concerns who have tried out the moving picture film in selling have been impressed with its success. The results obtained by one concern are shown on page 16 in the article "$6200 in Sales Resulted from Our First Showing." Those contemplating the use of film in selling will find this article of interest. Exchanging Ideas on Better Films IN recent correspondence with a Catholic clergyman it was suggested that Moving Picture Age act as a clearing house for information on good films. This clergyman had been passing, by correspondence between his friends, recommendations on various films. As the circulation of these recommendations were necessarily limited he felt that their publication in Moving Picture Age would not only increase the circulation but increase the number of offerings to the list as a large number of clergymen would have an opportunity to know of the exchange and add their offering. Any Catholic clergymen knowing of a good film which can be used in parish work is requested to send the list of film to the Editor of Moving Picture Age. It is desirous that the list be signed, although if the clergyman indicates, his name will not be published in connection with the list. The source, however, is essential in case additional correspondence is necessary. Helping Relief Measures NO doubt the majority of the readers of Moving Picture Age are already familiar with the steps taken by Herbert Hoover and his committee for the relief of Central Europe. January 26 has been set aside as Moving Picture Day to aid in this relief. For this they are using the film "The Invisible Guest" and in New York are making every effort to sell special tickets. While it probably will not be possible for the nontheatrical moving picture field to use this film or make any special effort at this time, still pictures are as good a method of raising funds for special relief measures as are any other. If it is decided to do this, scenics showing the Near East as well as other special educational films could be used to make up a good program. Those desiring to enter into special relief work should make checks payable to Franklin K. Lane, Treas., European Relief Council, 42 Broadway, New York City. It is estimated that $10 will save the life of a child and that 3,500,000 children are in direct need.