Amateur Movie Makers (Dec 1926-Dec 1927)

THE CLINIC (Continued) (Continued from page 12) the procedure being the same whether there is action in the film or whether it is a bit of scenery. One word of caution may be necessary. When splicing duplicate prints and originals together, the duplicate prints must be spliced into the reel with the shiny side up, or the action will be reversed right to left on the screen of the two that the backs of the two pieces of film are cemented together and no scraping is necessary, but does not alter the "heads" to "tails" rule. —Stanley A. Tomkins Amateur Movie Clubs A RISTOTLE'S dictum ■» *■ quoted in the first number of AMATEUR MOVIE MAKERS that happiness is multiplied by being shared evidently struck home to a lot of League members. I have received a substantial number of inquiries about the best way to organize Amateur Motion Picture Clubs. Although my specialty is Trouble and this department is a Clinic to study Trouble, and although the best way to organize anything varies so completely with local circumstances that no approved solution exists, nevertheless I offer these suggestions with liberal warning that they must be modified to suit your own conditions. Only one enthusiastic and determined Amateur Cinema Leaguer is needed to get a local club going. His first move is toward his local cinematographic dealer whose interests are naturally involved in an increase of amateur motion picture making. This dealer — and all of them are remarkably friendly and helpful — will likely have a projection room of some kind or can devise one where the meeting may be called. Thirty Your dealer will know who has amateur equipment and who buys film. His list is the best available in your locality. To increase his list, if it is small or incomplete, the Managing Director of the Amateur Cinema League can be called upon — see the index page of this magazine for his address — to send you the names of League members in your city. He may be able to get other users of equipment listed for you. Your dealer will cooperate with you in sending out a carefully written notice to those you want to join you. This is suggestive only : "You are very likely 'reeling your own' in your new sport of motion picture making without much help or encouragement except by long distance correspondence with the Amateur Cinema League or the manufacturers. You may have overlooked the fact that — (local dealer) — would like to help you and also that there are a lot of us in — (name of city) — in the same boat as you. "It is proposed that we get together and form the — (name of city) — Amateur Motion Picture Club. — (local dealer) — has very generously offered the — -(place of meeting) — for our use in organizing. He has authorized me to invite you to meet with us — (date) — at — (hour) — at — (place) — to perfect an FOR your first meeting arrange to have at least one good amateur film of not more than three reels for showing. Ask the dealer to talk on some phase of picture making and have some one else talk on some other phase. Ask the dealer to have various accessories available to explain and to demonstrate. Get your group enthusiastic by these means before you undertake organization. THEN put your plan before the group — to organize, to elect officers (president and secretary are enough) and a program committee. No dues are necessary until your club begins to plan things that cost money. Arrange for about two meetings a month and get the program committee busy. The program for at least six months in advance should be carefully worked out. Each meeting should provide: (1). Showing of films by club members; (2). Special topic for presentation by one specially chosen member. These may include "Trouble," "Lighting," "Exposure," "Titles," "Editing," "Accessories," "Indoor Photography," "What Next" and similar topics ; (3). General discussion of topic of the meeting; (4). Action to increase membership and to bring new motion picture amateurs into the game. At least twice a year the program should provide a luncheon or dinner. Membership in the club should carry with it the right to bring members' families to meetings. Members should be urged to bring friends in order to interest new people. Your officers should be carefully selected. Get workers rather than talkers. The talkers are valuable on the programs and in meetings but good executives are often silent fellows. Have . a number of films shown at each meeting so that everyone in the club can have a chance to get his films criticised. Arrange for each exhibitor in advance and run a roster on this so none is overlooked. But be sure to have one good, properly edited and welltitled film at each meeting. At your first meeting and at succeeding meetings suggest that all of your members apply for membership in the Amateur Cinema League in order to share its benefits and services. — Dr. Kinema