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AMATEUR MOVIE MAKING 385
press upon you that each of the following rules should carry the prefatory phrase, "When the action does not demand otherwise — " These rules are not arbitrary, but are the result of long experience of a generation of directors who have produced our professional photo-dramas. As they are primarily mechanical in origin, they are just as applicable to the home-playlet as to the most elaborate spectacle, in fact, more so, for the elaborate super-film may at times demand the transgression of every rule mentioned here, but the home-film will usually abide by them.
Do not let your actors carry their hands or other objects between their faces and the lens. In the photo-drama the face is the center of interest. The facial expression must bear the burden of telling the story, supported by such pantomime as may be used. Thus, the alternate hiding and disclosing of the face comes to the spectators like a periodic and annoying interruption while reading. However, in photographing a coquette flirting with her fan, it would be absurd to try to follow this rule. Also the grace of certain interpretative dances would be ruined by strict adherence to this rule. Neither should your actors impale their cigars upon pickle forks in order to smoke without breaking the rule. A little thought will immediately show any necessity for ignoring this rule.
Do not let one actor come between another actor and the lens any more than is vitally necessary. This requires a word of explanation. The supernumeraries, or the extras as they are more commonly called in motion picture work are not, strictly speaking, actors. Their true position is more exactly defined by the expression used by some directors to describe them collectively — "atmosphere. " They fill out the scene just as do palm trees or steamer chairs. When the scene demands a crowd it would be absurd to film an empty set, but they are not actors and as such are to be absolutely disregarded in the above rule. The reason for the existence of this rule is aptly illustrated by the familiar story of the store-group photograph.
A large department store had a Circut photograph made of their employess. One diminutive cash girl carried her copy home and displayed it proudly to her mother. "See,