Amateur Cine World (May 1934)

Our CRITICS Review A Broad Story and A Holiday on the Norfolk Broads. By V. H. Hayes. (Negative and Positive. Home processed). These two films, as the titles imply, were both taken under similar conditions, but one is a comedy story-film while the other is purely a holiday record. We understand that this is only Mr. Hayes’s second year in photography and in view of this he is to be congratulated on the high standard of his home processing and the consistence of his exposures. As to the story film, it was just a picture made by a lot of happy people on holiday and consequently there is little attempt at serious acting or smooth continuity. There are, however, some amusing types and situations and humour is enhanced in some parts by exposure at half-speed which has been. necessitated when working inside a small cabin cruiser. Home Processed. There is a tendency towards underexposure in some of these shots, particularly is this noticeable in some parts of ‘‘ Holiday on the Norfolk Broads.” But in the latter film the subject is, on the whole, “ seen” very well and it is a film which arouses one’s interest in the place where it was taken. One or two odd pieces could be removed with advantage and here and there are evidences of an unsteady camera. We feel, however, that the general standard of the film and the fact that it was home processed, merits the award of an Amateur Cine World leader. Cine-Magazine No.1. By Ivor N. Acraman. After seeing the first twenty feet of this film one almost certainly knew that the reel would merit the award of a leader. Not that it is outstandingly brilliant, but it is certainly capable in a quiet, impressive sort of way. The main title is unpretentious, the sub-titles are terse and pithy. They are shown in a clear type of lettering, well photographed and centrally placed on the screen. If there is any criticism of these titles it is that the lettering occupies rather too much space. A little more clear area around them would add dignity to them. Smooth Continuity. The subjects themselves are well handled. For example, under a title ‘‘ Trains’ we are shown a series of shots of trains from various angles. These angles, the direction of movement of the trains and the speed of movement in each shot have a definite relation to each other in a manner which makes for smooth continuity. There: 13 evidence of ‘“‘ mental design” in all the sequences. The photography is not irreproachable, but all definitely bad material has been eliminated. Some of the seaside shots are somewhat over-exposed, but to counterbalance this the people seen are doing interesting things and there are some pictures of gulls of sheer beauty. A satisfying, workmanlike film, Mr. Acraman! We hope you will like the Amateur Cine World leader. READERS’ FILMS Good, honest criticism can be of the utmost value to the amateur cinemato grapher. Up till now there has been a decided lack of it, a state of affairs which AMATEUR CINE WORLD hopes to remedy (with your help). In these pages it is our intention to criticise the work o but constructively, in the hope that not only will the authors o ie Pa the films benefit but also that those who read the critiques will be able to apply the principles put forward to their own work. To this end we have retained the services of experts whose good taste is allied to an intimate knowledge of amateur cinematography. Their criticisms will be on a high plane, but praise will be unstinted where it is deserved. A free film leader will be given for meritorious productions Holiday Pie. By F. G. S. Wise. Very short, this 8mm. film, but it does succeed in conveying the holiday spirit. It consists of a number of shots of a happy family at the seaside. There is little evidence of plot or con Roy Leftwick, male “lead” Finchley Amateur Cine Society, production ‘* Home James !” FILMS SENT FOR REVIEW may be of any size or length and of any subject. They should be packed in film containers and should be addressed to The Editor, AMATEUR CINE WORLD, Link House, 4-7, Greville All films will Street, London, E.C.1. be returned to their owners within seven days. Please do not forget to enclose your name and address! Nom de plumes may be used if desired. tinuity (in any case, the shortness of the film rather precludes it) but the somewhat hap hazard shots typify the happy-go-lucky holiday spirit, the sort of holiday for which no detailed plans are made but in which the family enjoys itself on the beach in its own sweet way. The film has the great merit of action—leapfrog on the sands, frolics in the sea and so on, and there are one or two interesting close-ups. One sequence we liked particularly. A giant ice cream cornet that fills the screen is shown, followed by a shot of some young people eating normal-sized cornets; the giant cornet is then seen to be an advertising model. We should think this film (which is a sort of bright moving picture family album) is highly prized as a personal memoir and it has many points of interest to those outside the family circle. We should like to see other productions from this reader. This short film of his shows he has a keen cinematic sense, but there needs to be more attention to scenario-planning without which no film, even the most unpretentious, can _ entirely succeed. in the new Plymouth—The Centre of a Hundred Tours. By R. H. Giles, I.A.C. This is a film of varying quality with some commendable points and some irritating ones. Foremost of the latter is the splices, which caused much agitation to the operator by causing the film to jump violently in the gate of the projector. Another annoying thing was the titles. The lettering was good, the background of pleasant design, but not one of the titles was straight and central on the screen nor did two of them appear to have been exposed to the same degree. Mr. Giles can, however, console himself with the thought that hundreds of others transgress in this way. We hope they will all repent some day. The satisfying things about the film were the photography, the continuity and the evident thought and observation displayed in the film. The photography was generally of a high standard, although the exposure