American cinematographer (Nov 1921-Jan 1922)

Page Ten The American Cinematographer The Log of a (jreat Picture '•Daily ^cord of the Filming of a Famous Feature from the Diary of the Cameraman Who Shot It DECEMBER 2 Work from 10:45 to 6:45. Stage 3. (If I'd tell what set it was you'd know what picture it was.) There are enough stars in this picture to make a sign of the Zodiac. Shot twenty-nine stills and seventeen hundred feet of film. A good day's work. Don't forget for location long legs, extra legs, small tripod, panchromatic film and filters. Rain in A.M.; sun P.M. DECEMBER 3 Work from 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Stage No. 3. Shot thirty-one stills; nineteen hundred and fifty feet of film; five hundred feet of waste. A good day's work and sunshine all day. This director is a wonder worker. He builds his drama in mind before he calls for action. The lead, whom I shall call Smith, seems to be taking an interest in the Lady With the Listening Lamps. Henceforth I shall refer to her as the "Lady." I don't often notice these things, but it looks like a budding romance to me. Don't forget for location long legs, extra legs, small tripod, panchromatic film and filters. DECEMBER 4 Smith arrives studio at 8:00 A.M. Early for Smith. Camera crew left studio at 11 for location at Pine Top. Lunch at San Berdoo; for menu see technical director's shirt front. Got a thrill when we had to take outside edge for truck coming down mountain. Pine Top at 5 :30. Cold; parked in double cabin with Smith and girl playing bit. Taps 9:15. The "grip" said it was fifteen degrees below freezing. Film 2475 feet; stills, thirty-on,e. DECEMBER 5 Breezed in at 6:30 to awaken my crew. My bright blue bathrobe startles Marburg (on second camera) into hallucination that Chinese mandarin is standing over him. Breakfast 7:35 and darned cold. Work at 8:20. Water thrown on road for rain scenes quickly turns to ice. Shoot till 1:15. Left Pine Top at 4:00. Took on gas at San Berdoo at 6; two hours going sixteen miles down grade. Dined at Harvey House; oh boy! Arrived studio at 9:35 lips chapped and eyes wind burned. Film 1665 feet; stills ten. Good work considering cold. Too busy and too cold for romance, but Smith blushed whenever the Lady talked to him. DECEMBER 6 Work 9:45 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Sunshine all day. Five stars and the dog in action. In the projection room the director said he didn't know how, to act because there was nothing to crab about.' "Film 2530 feet; stills twenty. Smith seemed nervous a.nd preoccupied. The Lady is an actress to her finger tips. If they are both doing some real life acting the Lady will strike him out. That's my guess. Location again tomorrow. P. S. — I can see this picture coming fast. It's going to be' another B. O. attraction. Glad to be shooting it. DECEMBER 7 Rained all night to 8:00 A. M. Set up on stage 2, but orders came at 10 to be ready for location in fifteen minutes. Had to load un four hundred foot rolls instead of load of short ends of film. Location Los Angeles River used as trout stream. Grip falls in and reports water cold. Director tosses first aid to freezing grin in form of a flat flask. Marburg bravely stands in stream so that finders may be checked; did it to show off his new boots which, to his disgust, leaked. Smith rips new riding breeches and spoils scene with Lady. Return to studio to shoot rain stuff. Trouble placing lights to pick up rain. Smith and Miss C. very wet and miserable. Rain washes number off slates. Everybody wet, cold and peevish, even the camera lenses. Run Pine Top stuff. Good. Film 1155 feet; stills ten. DECEMBER 8 Work 10:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Elsie Ferguson runs in from New York to give us the O. O. Music for love scene between Smith and Miss C. "Where Is My Wandering Boy Tonight." Bum music for a love scene. Branch of tree hurled through window by lightning. Director calls for retake because limb not big enough. Ten inch limb heaved in and nearly wrecks the Mace. Film 2437 feet; stills 18. Good publicity still and — pay day. DECEMBER 9 Work 9:45 to 7:15. Four stars working. Sunshine all day. A delegation from the National Publicity Society gave us the up and down. Director made it plain that he didn't want any such comments as: "Why doesn't he do this; why doesn't he do that, etc." Visitors on set are a nuisance. Better pictures would be made without them. Film 1978; stills twenty-three. (To be continued) Shoot the Stars With a Thalhammer Special Model A Tripod Special Range Head Quick-acting Leg Clamps Special Hinged Claw 42 Feet Its easy operation and rigidity insures your work against inaccuracy and loss of time. K. W. THALHAMMER Phone Main 15 74 5 50 So. Figueroa St. Los Angeles