Amateur Photographer & Cinematographer (1937)

December 22nd, 1937 Thi amateur photographer t> 6 CINEMATOGRAPHER e mateur NEWS, NOTES AND MATTERS OF IN¬ TEREST FOR ALL CINEMATOGRAPHERS USING AMATEUR CINfi APPARATUS. Cinematography Pack your Circumstances inherent in our economic life decree that we cannot all live " at home.” Some of us, more fortunate than others, manage to get up for the week-ends. Not a few are perforce kept away for longer intervals ; but unfortunate in¬ deed are those who cannot return for the festive vacation. Equally inherent is that aspect of our social life which leads Mr. Smith to close his house for three or four days and enter into the frolics of the Robinson household. You can see the trains — Christmas “ specials ” — packed with Mr. Smiths and with all our homewardbound compatriots. You can see their luggage — close-stacked on the station trucks and in that over-crowded com¬ partment known as the guard’s van. Amongst that luggage you will see scores and scores of suitcases, dozens of hat-boxes — and, here and there, a solitary projector-case. Let us agree there should be many more of the latter . . . for surely amongst these Christmas travellers are hundreds who dabble in the high art of amateur cinematography. Perhaps the thought that a display of their hobby could interest others has never occurred to them. Packing. Well, now that it has occurred, it is advisable to sketch out the plan of a really ambitious entertainment right away. Let it be something rather out of the ordinary ; and let it come as a surprise to all (or nearly all) of the Christmas company. There must be suitable films to show and a thoroughly efficient projector to show them with. First of all properly inspect the machine. See that the friction surfaces of the drive and inter¬ mittent are first cleaned, then lubri¬ cated — and, finally, freed from all film of surplus oil. Clean the lenses and polish the outer surfaces of the con¬ denser, taking care to use here only a soft and worn fabric — which will avoid matting the rather soft glass used in their manufacture. Then take a look at the accessories. See that they are complete and in no need of any last-minute attention. Particularly examine the spare lamp, the belts (necessary only in the case of remote-drive machines), the alternativegauge fittings, the resistance — especially about its connections, the splicing outfit, the screen and the spare or take-up spool. When all these things have been done. Projector this By SIGURD MOIR. you may begin to pack. Do not close the carrying-case, however ; there is usually room in the latter for some of the spools with which you hope to entertain the boys and girls at the Christmas party. The Films. Selecting the films is not an easy matter — for those same boys and girls are of widely-different ages. Here, as else¬ where, the simplest solution lies in taking the line of least resistance. Select only the t'ypes of film which will please at least a majority of your fellows. Avoid the abridged versions of picture-house successes and always select the clear, workmanlike shorts in preference to tedious monotonies, and don’t forget the cartoons and “ comics.” They are likely to be the most popular of all. Remember, too, that your own and other amateur work may often be pre¬ ferred to the more stereotyped of pro¬ fessional releases. For this occasion anything in the nature of drama should be avoided, and it is suggested that these reels might well Christmas be a comedy, such as one of the immortal Charlie Chaplin, a good travel film, and a cartoon. Such a list will, in conjunc¬ tion with the personal films, make a programme that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and types. With regard to the actual arrangement of the films, it is probably best to give the show a rousing opening by commencing with the comedy. Next comes a per¬ sonal film, then perhaps the travel, another personal, and lastly, the cartoon. Details and Showmanship. When you have selected the films, pack them closely into the projector case and fasten the lock. Then put the key on your key-ring. Christmas may not be any too merry for you should it be left behind in the fuss and hurry of departure. The actual arrangements in the room where the show is to be held should receive careful consideration. The best layout of seats to ensure for everyone an uninterrupted view of the screen should be decided upon beforehand, and on the evening the apparatus should be set up and the seats arranged while the audience is still in another room. Then, Winter in the Park. A dvantage should be taken of any fall of snow in Town to complete ]t_the documentary film of the “ Seasons in London," already referred to during the spring, summer and autumn. 7II 28