American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1934)

364 American Cinematographer % January 1934 Above — on the screen. Below — how it was done. "M" indicates position of Mother, and "B" that ot Baby. 1 is a reading-lamp, fitted with a Phototlood bulb; the lampshade keeps the rays from striking the lens in any position. 2, 3, and 4 are 500-watt photographic lamps, fitted with diffusers. 4-a indicates positior. of lamp 4 for Scenes 6, 7, and 22. Angle A indicates camera position for most scenes; angle B is optional tor closer scenes, especially 11-20; angle C is for Scene 21. With Supersensitive film, this lighting permits work at f:3.5. \ W-' "x'' X-"" \ \/b\ 1 ✓ finq/e C Introducing Baby by William Stull, A.S.C. WHEN a cinefilmer (amateur or professional ) suddenly finds himself a proud papa, one of his first thoughts is "Where's my camera — I want a picture of the Baby!" But when it comes to actually making the pictures, he's likely to find inspiration an inconstant wench — looking steadfastly away from him So here's a suggestion for Baby's filmic bow. TITLE: (5 feet) MR. and MRS. JOHN SMITH Present JOHN SMITH, JUNIOR A SMITH PRODUCTION INSERT: (5-10 feet) Your card announcing Baby's arrival. SCENE 1 : (5 feet) Fade or Iris in on long-shot of the Hospital where the baby was born. CUT TO SCENE 2: (8 feet) Close-up of Hospital name-plate or cornerstone. TITLE: (5 feet) DR. JONES — MASTER OF CEREMONIES. SCENE 3: (5 feet) Close-up of the atttending Physician — preferably talking. SPOKEN TITLE: (5 feet) "Mother and baby are doing splendidly." SCENE 4: (4 feet) Long-shot of Mother in bed, smiling happ'ly. SCENE 5: (5 feet' Close-up of Mother. SCENE 6: (3 feet) Close-shot of door opening. SCENE 7: (10 feet) Long-shot. Door opens; Nurse enters, carrying Baby. She crosses over to Mother's bed, the camera following her. She starts to put Baby in Mother's arms. SCENE 8: (4 feet) Medium close-shot of Nurse giving Baby to Mother. TITLE: (3 feet) INTRODUCING BABY. SCENE 9: (8-10 feet) Close-up of Baby, nestled in Mother's arms SCENE 10: (6 feet) Close-up of Mother, speaking. Into this cut: SPOKEN TITLE: (5 feet) "He looks just like his daddy, doesn't he?" SCENES 1 1-20: (5 feet each) Ad lib scenes 'preferably close-ups and medium-shots) of the Baby — cute expressions, etc. If desired, a shot of Baby taking his lunch, etc. SCENE 21 : (6 feet) Close-up of Nurse, speaking. (Make this from low angle, shooting diagonally up, as though from viewpoint of someone in bed.) Cut into this: SPOKEN TITLE: (3 feet) "Time's up!" SCENE 22: (8 feet) Long-shot. Nurse picks up Baby, and walks out of door, closing it behind her. Camera follows her from bed to door. SCENE 23: (4 feet) Close-up of Mother, smiling happily. May be shot with slight diffusion. FADE OUT. TITLE: WATCH FOR THE NEXT INSTALLMENTCOMING SOON! Allowing for the inevitable "added scenes," b'ts of action which cannot be planned for, but are too good to miss, and also for the few inevitable "NG'd Takes," this should make a neat little picture of about 1 50 feet, though it can easily be trimmed to 100, or padded to a full 200. It requires specialized technique, of course, if it is to be filmed in the hospital; there are certain rules and regul.itions to be observed in most hospitals, which cannot be ig:iored. For instance, in most hospitals, fathers are never allowed to touch the baby — and seldom to even be in the same room with their infants; therefore, you will notice, "Father" does not appear in any scene in the film. After all, fathers are pretty inconsequential creatures at such a time! In (Continued on Page 381 I