American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1926)

August. 1926 AMERICAN CINEM ATOGR APHER Seven Amateur Cinematography An Amateur Qiues Some Suggestions Bijj Hamilton Riddel Hints as to How One Amateur Improves Quality of Motion Pictures Taken by Himself ( The following article, written by Hamilton Riddel, a representative amateur, indicates some of the many ways in which amateur cinematography may be applied in an interesting fashion :) It is to the interest of the amateur that he edit his Cine-Kodak films after they have been returned from the finishing station and are ready for projection. Perhaps some amateurs will say that they haven't the time for editing; but when they realize that it does not require an excessive amount of time, and that such time is well spent and will add to the screen results, they will no doubt be anxious to edit their films. It is interesting work — this editing — and no matter how good a film is, it will be greatly improved by some judicious cutting. When the finished film is returned from the laboratory it should be projected. During projection the photography, length of scene, sequence, and the general action should be noted. This will make editing easier. Accessories A film splicer and rewind are necessary accessories. Cine-Kodak film is so small that it is difficult to splice it without the aid of a splicer. And, of course, a rewind facilitates the handling of the film while it is being edited. These two accessories are time-savers, too. "Leader" Every film needs a "leader." This is usually a strip of plain film from which the emulsion has been removed. If you have none, soak some old film in warm water and then the emulsion is easily removed from the film base with a knife. A leader film should be about eighteen inches to two feet long. This leader is used when threading the projector preparatory to showing the picture. If you do not have a main title to your film, it is well to follow the leader with a foot of black film. This is film that was not ex" posed, but which has been finished at the laboratory. Quite often you will get a few feet of this black film at the beginning and end of your roll of Cine-Kodak film. The object of putting a foot of this* black film after the leader is so that when you start projecting your pictures, the white leader will not flare up on the screen, thus causing a most unpleasant effect upon the eyes of those watching the pictures. Of course, in threading your projector, you should note that the first part of the black film is before the projection lens. Then when you start your projector and the safety shutter slides out of the way allowing the light to pass through the film, the screen will be dark for a moment and your pictures will then follow. This assures a pleasant introduction of your pictures. Opening Scene After the strip of black film, you will have to decide what will be your opening scene. The writer believes that, in general, this should be a distant scene, after which you so arrange your different scenes so that many close-ups are included. Motion pictures of your family or friends prove so interesting that you should take many close-ups as they add life to your films. Ratio Most of your scenes should not last more than ten seconds upon the screen or about four feet of Cine-Kodak film. Many scenes should be from five to eight seconds long. Have a good sense of what is interesting and you will never show a picture that is jerky, because of shortness of scene, nor a long drawn out one, due to too much footage. Use your discretion — and your scissors. As you take your own motion pictures you will become more critical of your photography. So don't get discouraged if all your scenes are not properly exposed. Cut them out ,and forget them. And resolve to do better when you are taking your next roll of film. Your projected pictures will be a delight to you if you only allow your best photography to be in your edited films. At the end of your reel of film there should be another foot or two of black film. Thus when the last scene appears on the screen, it will be followed by the black film. (Continued on Page 22)