Movie Makers (Jan-May 1928)

EDUCATIONAL FILMS News of Visual Education in Schools and Homes Edited by Ruth Hamilton Kerr Medical AN interesting development in the filming of material to be used in connection with the teaching of medicine is reported by Joseph B. DeLee, M.(D., of Chicago, who has been working only three months as an amateur movie maker, but is an enthusiastic addition to the ranks. At present Dr. DeLee has experimented only with narrow-gauge film, but may work with 35mm material later and will have both 16mm and 35mm prints made for various uses in hospitals, clinics and medical schools. Films of the basic obstetric subjects for routine teaching in schools and universities, to supplement lectures and quizzes given medical students, have been made by Dr. DeLee. "More important, however — and this is where the amateur will find his greatest field — is a new departure in medical motion picture films, and that is the motion picture case report," says Dr. DeLee. "When a particularly interesting case comes to the physician he gives it intensive study and films all such portions that can be represented in motion, showing it from start to finish. The presentation of the case will include stills, temperature charts, pictures of pathological specimens, etc. When he reports his case to the local or general medical society it is a live, pulsating case report, and will grip the attention of the assembled doctors. "Compare this with the dry-as-dust case reports that are droned out at our clinical meetings to a more or le:s somnolent audience. "One of the most important parts of the case report is the fact that it necessitates a thorough and far-reaching study of the patient and thus makes the doctor work harder, study more and think better, all of which redounds to the benefit of the patient, the doctor, the medical profession and the science and art of medicine." Training Soldiers USE of talking pictures in the training of soldiers is to be tried out at the infantry school at Fort Benning, Ga., it has been announced by the war department. A number of scenarios are to be prepared to illustrate training in various subjects, 326 showing of which will be followed by a test to determine whether they are practical. Numerous films were taken and used advantageously during the world war for training purposes. A considerable part of the film was taken up by the titles. At times it was found necessary for an instructor audibly to supplement the titles during the projection of the picture. An apparatus which will record both sound and motion synchronously and thus enable lucid and simple explanation to be projected audibly and coincident with the depicted motions seems worthy of test. Natural History T ECTURE courses in geology and ■*— ' biology are supplemented by motion pictures at the University of Rochester, according to a recent communication from E. J. Foyles, director of the Museum of Natural History at the Rochester institution. "We are cooperating with the Eastman Kodak Company in the making of cartoon pictures showing geologic processes in the neighborhood of Rochester," he writes. "We believe the motion picture is a vital factor in college education and look forward to its extensive use. In Massachusetts TPHE Massachusetts Division of -* University Extension, through its Visual Instruction Service, is circulating more than three million feet of standard motion picture films among schools, churches and all other nontheatrical institutions and organizations within the State. The pictures are used primarily for educational and instructional purposes, although a number of institutions receive pictures of a recreational character. It is the purpose of the division to provide visual aids to supplement courses of instruction in all phases of education, and to study and make available the best means of presenting visual material; to provide wholesome recreation, and to create an appreciation for artistic and classical pictures. The following headings will indicate to some extent the nature of the films available from sources other than the Bureau of Mines : Drama, juvenile, Boy Scout, fairy stories, straight comedy, Bible pictures, agriculture, gardening, chemistry, physics, electrical and auto engineering, home economics, domestic art and science, safety first, geography, history, biography, civics, Americanization and patriotism, manufacturing, commerce, machinery, medical hygiene, prevention of disease, child welfare, athletic activities, first aid and biology. New subjects are added from time to time to the present library. During the past school year the Visual Instruction Section of the Division supplied approximately 350 programs of motion picture films. A conservative estimate indicates that the average attendance is 300 for each program. The number of people reached through the service, therefore, totals 105,000. This is an increase of more than 40 per cent, over the previous year. Full information as to the procedure necessary to obtain educational motion pictures, comprising a wealth of material from many sources, may be obtained by addressing the Division of University Extension, Room 217, State House, Boston, Mass. Story of Petroleum "'T'HE Story of Petroleum," a -* seven-reel educational motion picture made in cooperation with the American Petroleum Institute, has just been released for distribution by the United States Bureau of Mines, Department of Commerce. This picture, which is the ninth in a series of petroleum films prepared on standard stock by the bureau, gives a comprehensive review of the many interlocking factors that go to make up an industry representing eleven billion dollars of invested capital. To this end, typical operations and equipment which apply to exploration, development, production, transportation, refining, and marketing have been portrayed. The scenes chosen for this story of a great industry were photographed through the cooperation of oil companies throughout the United States. The technique of several exploration, production, and refinery problems has been shown with animated drawings; and, to give a composite picture of the magnitude of the industry, other graphic animated drawings and maps have been used.