Reel and Slide (Jan-Sep 1919)

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REEL and SLIDE Outside Influences PROBABLY the leaders of the film industry never would have, alone, recognized the value of the moving picture in any other way than as entertainment. Enterprising leaders in many walks of life, educators, social workers, ministers and advertising men bought the first industrial and educational pictures; the film men did not sell them. Once the pace was set, certain producers saw their chance and prepared to fill the demand. It is true that no man can see the full possibilities of his work, because he is on the inside. His view is apt to be narrow. Advertising Slides REEL AND SLIDE magazine believes that there is much to be desired in improving the quality of advertising lantern slides. They have been getting worse and worse. Any medium used in the huge quantities that these slides are used in is worthy of attention. Consequently the new department — "Ad Slides — Good and Bad" — should be welcomed by the slide maker as well as the slide user. Peace Meet—In Pictures THE great peace meet in France will be filmed, we are informed, by the Creel Bureau, for presentation in the Official Review. The surrender of the German fleet was filmed in detail ; camera men have their place in President Wilson's party. What a wonderful thing it is to perpetuate these great events in living pictures which will thrill as well as instruct the pupil of two generations hence ! What if we could see a movie today of the Congress of Vienna or of the meeting between Bismarck and the French Ministers at Versailles ! * * * Editing the Ad Film IN producing an ad film of any kind, the producer succeeds as much by reason of the material he eliminates as by the material that he uses. Editing calls for fine judgment in arranging and cutting scenes. In nearly every scene there is more or less unnecessary action which may be eliminated in the cutting room. Very often the camera operator cannot realize this until he has seen the print on the screen. It is unnecessary to show a truck full of pig iron swinging into the scene from a distant point, when the point to be emphasized occurs in the immediate foreground. Cut the film so that the truck appears a hundred feet away ; the imagination of the audience, together with the track, winding off into the distance, will do the rest. Films in Libraries "W HEN in doubt, go to a library." The public library has become so widespread in its ministrations, and its directors have done so much to encourage the use of its resources in every possible direction, that it might very well phrase its invitation to the public in those words. The librarian, seeking, like the news editor, to keep abreast of public demand, has become interested in the motion picture. Library periodicals publish lists of pictures which are based on books for the use of patrons of the library. These lists, which are prepared by the National Board of Review, are also sent to certain libraries on request. The motion picture machine, itself, has come into the library. Cultural pictures are shown, dramatic, travel, agricultural, scientific, social, and those which can be used profitably in connection with the story-telling hours for children. The current event club can find here an opportunity to gain visual interpretation of current events through the news weekly. The narrow band of film may become a straight path leading from a lower to a higher cultural plane. * * * In New England IT is interesting to note the ever-increasing interest on the part of the public toward the moving-picture art aside from its purely entertainment function. The more persistently that people outside of the industry busy themselves in making the screen better and more useful, the sooner may we expect improvements in our commercial programs in the theaters. A report comes to this office from two New England towns which is interesting and significant. Read it : "The fresh interest of the public in the subject of motion pictures following the war was indicated at two meetings held recently in Danielson, Conn., and Worcester, Mass. The former was held in the High School building of the town under the auspices of the Killingly Woman's Club, while the latter meeting, which took place in the Free Public Library building, was called by the Worcester Board of Review of Motion Pictures, composed of forty-nine representatives of civic and social organizations of the city. "Both of these meetings were addressed by Orrin G. Cocks, advisory secretary of the National Board of Review. At the former, the subjects discussed were, the importance of the motion picture in connection with the war, the advances made in the motion-picture art, and the use of selected motion pictures for young people. Questions were asked regarding the possibility of greater co-operation with the exhibitor in connection with 'family nights' and the use of pictures considered particularly suitable for young people. "The Worcester Board of Review of Motion Pictures, purely voluntary in its organization, works in co-operation with the National Board and the city officials. At the meeting great interest was shown in the marked developments of the motion picture in the course of the last three years and the patriotic service of the motion-picture industry. The discussion which followed the address centered around parental responsibility in the attendance of young people at motionpicture exhibitions, the opportunities for the larger use of educational pictures, and the possibility of extended family programs. The audience appeared to appreciate the impracticability of state action as a means of regulating the motion-picture industry, supporting rather the opinion that a volunteer review of pictures on a national basis, such as is conducted by the National Board, was more suitable in a democracy." Serious consideration of the moving picture industry by the public and those interested in public welfare is an excellent sign. A sympathetic attitude is found in most quarters. The industry is no better and no worse than any other in which all types of individuals are to be found. It cannot be expected to reform itself — aid must come from outside.