Reel and Slide (Jan-Sep 1919)

22 REEL and SLIDE g Questions on Lantern Slide Sub m jects will be answered by mail if M stamped envelope is enclosed in = addressing this department. AX announcement of interest to lantern slide users carries the assurance that the Bureau of War Photographs will be continued. The photographers of the U. S. Signal Corps, now in Europe, have been directed to secure up-to-date still pictures of scenes showing the final phases of the war, and also the work of reconstruction that has already begun in the devastated sections of France and Belgium. "Stills" of the advance of the American and Allied troops into AlsaceLorraine and Germany are also being taken, and the peace conference will be "covered" pictorially for the Bureau of War Photographs. These pictures will be available as soon as received. The demand on the part of schools, colleges and individuals for pictures of the war is, it is announced, constantly growing, and this in itself wouldi justify the continuation of the Bureau of War Pictures. Another angle, however, is being developed, and that is the furnishing of slides for the illustration of lectures on the war and the reconstruction period. These slides are now being made in the photographic laboratory of the Division of Films in New York City. Application for copies of the Government's war photographs should be addressed to the New York office, 6 W. 48th Street. * * * Elsewhere in this issue, Mr. Abrams, of the Visual Instruction Division, maintained by the New York State Department of Education, de scribes the ideals and methods of operation of one of the most efficient and successful departments of its kind in the United States. Mr. Abrams -is ultra conservative. Yet, some of his ■ ideas ring true. That is the function of such a department, to cling closely to the strictly educational idea seems logical enough. Those schools which demand entertainment on their screens can find plenty of subjects at the various slide makers' places. It is not the duty of the state to entertain its people; this should be left to private enterprise. It is interesting, however, to compare Mr. Abrams' eastern ideas to those found among men in the same positions in states farther west. Wisconsin, for instance, and Iowa. Concerning the direct-to-user plan of supplying slides, this may, and probably is, the best system in the case of a central institution serving a whole state. But it would seem entirely practical and less, if not more efficient, to district the territory and consider each circuit a unit in the service. Thus, the slides spend less time in transit and are therefore of more use to the greatest number. Mr. Abrams has made his arguments very clear and his long experience makes what he has to say of great value. Not long ago the makers of lantern slide plates and cover glass declared that stocks were getting low and the outlook for sufficient material was dubious. One large plate maker wrote this department that he could see the curtailment of his output fifty per cent. Recently the situation has changed. We are informed that there is ample glass on hand for all needs. * * * What is meant by a "dissolving image"? B. Answer: One image gradually or quickly fades into the next with no break in between. This requires a double set of lenses — in fact, a double stereopticon. * * * One of the important departments of the Argus Enterprises, Inc., at Cleveland, is the lantern slide department. Now, the Argus people represent the most ultra modern ideas in the industry; piraiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii | ?— ASK US—? S lilllllllilllllllllllllllllllllllillW Editor, Reel and Slide Magazine: We understand that there is a question in the minds of the motion picture men as to what will become of the Division of Films of the Committee of Public Information. We understand that George Creel, the chairman, has declared that when peace is signed, the activities of this bureau will virtually cease. We believe that inasmuch as the Division of Films has already been established it would be well to make some modification as will be necessary and connect it with the Bureau of Education. Make such modifications as will be necessary, but do not disband the Division of Films. We would, furthermore, suggest that the National Educational Association be given at least some advisory power. The future of the educational motion pictures, we believe, depends ultimately upon the attitude of the federal government. States are struggling with the problem. If a federal division of visual instruction could be established it would mean a decided impetus for the whole work of visual instruction in the United States. We trust that you will use such influence as you have to bring this matter to the attention of persons who are interested in the success of the educational motion pictures in the schools. Very truly yours, Chas. Roach, Visual Instruction Service, Iowa State College. Answer: Chas. S. Hart, director of the Di ■ vision of Films, Committee on Public Information, makes the authoritative announcement that, despite the close of the war, the Official War Review, released through Pathe, will be continued indefinitely, and that all other Government pictures, now issued, or being assembled, will be released according to schedule. "It is only fair to exhibitors and the motion picture interests generally," says Director Hart, "that they should know just what to expect in regard to the war pictures that have been announced by the Division of Films. The progress of events in Europe — the evacuation of the various invaded territories— the reconstruction of devasted France and Belgium — the ferment in Germany — the meeting of the peace commission — these are all matters of tremendous historical and news interest, and they will be fully covered by the Official War Review, in order that the American people may keep in pictorial touch with the important and stirring events that mark the re making of the map of Europe. The necessity for its continuance is obvious." * * * I understand that there is a special camera crank on the market adopted for use in trench photography. Can you tell me something about it? John Keeston. Answer: You probably refer to the special crank supplied with the Universal camera. The object of this device is to provide means whereby the Universal motion picture camera may be operated from a safe position behind a barricade or in a trench. The device is entirely self contained and is placed on the tilting top of the tripod before the camera is atached. With this arrangement the camera may be panoramed or tilted in the usual way. The camera may be threaded without removing it from the tripod. This is accomplished by providing a sliding keyway and universal joint on the driving shaft which permits detachment of the shaft, which may then be tilted back out of the way to permit opening of the door for threading. The lower gear box, which holds the crank, is rotatably adjustable to permit cranking from any position. With this arrangement, the crank shaft below may be placed parallel with the drive shaft above, or it may be placed at right angles, or turned to any angle desired. If conditions necessitated, the camera man could even sit under the tripod and swing the crank box around so that the camera . could be operated from that position with equal facility. The entire device, while having ample rigidity, weighs but nine pounds. The frame is made of steel tubing with flush joints and the gear cases are of cast aluminum, entirely enclosed. * • * I understand there are some objections to the motor drive portable projector. What are they? S. J. M. Answer: Both the hand driven and motor driven machines have their adherents. It is largely a matter of choice. Most machines today are equipped with the motor, as they need less attention on the part of the operator. * • • Where can I rent copies of the Chester-Outing scenic pictures? J. B. Answer: In this issue you will find your nearest Mutual Exchange listed. Mutual distributes this series. that they believe the slide business still offers opportunities is a pretty healthy sign. And the Argus people are producing moving pictures and ■marketing a full line of equipment, too. A minister, Rev. Albert Burlingame, writes this department in part as follows: "Whatever one may say of the moving picture, the lantern slide still maintains one distinct and all important advantage over it. I refer to the fact that the lantern slide will project an image in colors — something the film doesn't successfully do — as yet. To me this overbalances all other limitations of the slide." This seems to be the statement of an enthusiast. Some colored slides throw an image that is no better and sometimes worse than the hand-colored moving picture films. Not that expert workmanship on colored slides cannot be done satisfactorily, but how often is it done? Most colorists take a natural pride in their work, but proper coloring is costly, and to-day the demand is -far speed and low price. * * * Where is the projectaslide stereopticon sold as described in your November issue? W. J. Bobbs. Answer: Address the Projectaslide Co., 30 North Michigan Ave., Chicago. * * * Is it practicable to make slides from newspaper clippings — especially cartoons and illustrated jokes? F. B. K. Answer: Yes. Any slide house can do this for you. * * • Some interesting suggestions are made in the little booklet issued by the University of the State of New York concerning the selection of subjects for purposes of visual instruction and the ordering of the slides. .We read: "The most important problem in visual instruction at the present time is to determine its pedagogical basis and to formulate a method based on sound principles. Merely displaying pictures or giving illustrated lectures falls far short of a pedagogical method for visual instruction. " 'Visualizing' means the formation of correct and vivid mental pictures. The eye is only a physical organ. A mental reaction is needed to make the use of pictures effective. To learn how to read, or interpret, pictures requires training quite as much as to learn to make observations of plants or any other objects. It is as important to see that time is not wasted in the use of pictures _ as in the use of the laboratory. Every application for a loan or for an apportionment of state money should be made on a blank furnished for this purpose by the Visual Instruction Division. A little system in ordering and handling slides and photographs will lighten labor and facilitate borrowing. An institution borrowing on the four-week plan may also borrow on the oneweek plan. When application is made at one time for four-week and one-week slides, a separate blank should be used for each class of slides. "When slides have been received, they should be arranged in the _ boxes by call number as words are arranged in a dictionary, without regard to the order in the catalog or the order in which tbey are to be used. With a little practice this should be done quicklv.' It will then be easy to pick out in order the slides wanted for a particular topic. "To detect cracks in slides, hold eight or ten in the left hand in such a position that the light is reflected from the surface to the eye; then let one slide after another pass by a sliding motion into the right hand. Turn the slides over and repeat. "Clean the slides thoroughly before using in lantern. The results will be much more pleasing. Learn to select slides and photographs from the catalogs the same as books. When you go to the library for books you do not often find all there are on a subject already assembled for you in a 'set.' "There is no limit to the number of slides or photographs that may be borrowed at one time, if they are available. "New York State does more than any other to provide slides and photographs for use as educational aids, but do not expect too much. There are a large number of institutions of the University to be accommodated. A prompt observance of all regulations by each borrower will be to the advantage of all. "If the material that is being prepared is useful to you, it will help if you make the fact known." * * * What is considered to be a fair charge for a lantern slide show? B. J. H. Answer: This is a difficult question to answer. It depends upon what kind of a show you are giving, where it is to be held, _ the paying ability of your audience and their willingness to attend. If you are to give the show in vour own home, five or ten cents is the limit. If in a church, the free will offering plan is best; if in a school, you might charge fifteen or twenty-five cents with propriety if your pictures are accompanied by a good lecture and if they are interesting. A good show is worth whatever you can get from your audience. A poor show isn't worth anything to them.