We use Optical Character Recognition (OCR) during our scanning and processing workflow to make the content of each page searchable. You can view the automatically generated text below as well as copy and paste individual pieces of text to quote in your own work.
Text recognition is never 100% accurate. Many parts of the scanned page may not be reflected in the OCR text output, including: images, page layout, certain fonts or handwriting.
536 American Cinematographer o December 1935
Definitions of Elements in Composition
LINE: Design begins with line. Connected and inter-laced lines create areas. In architectural and costume design, lines denote qualities that are important; i.e.
VERTICAL
HORIZONTAL
OBLIQUE
SPIRAL or CURVED LINE BROKEN
Structural lines are found in the fireplace, furniture, in the doorway and windows; in the silhouette of a costume.
A line may be narrow or wide. The wider it is, the more it is like an area. A line or lines within the outline add interest and complexity to a subject, such as architectural relief, embroidery pattern, wall panels, etc.
It will be found that a tone of dark is formed by the association of two or more lines, this tone may be darkened by increasing the width of the lines, or by bringing them closer together.
PRINCIPLES: Variety and interest is well selected lines used together. Measured, size and number of lines of different types determine the final result.
Variety in grouping of lines eliminates monottony. The wider the line, the greater will be its accenting value.
Design must have a main axis. This starts the eye moving, other lines in the design must be subordinated to the main line. Subordination is brought about by the selection in size, length and width. The position and direction of a line is important in relation to other lines.
In a group of lines, one line or pair of lines must predominate in size and position. If a line, space or color asserts itself to the detriment of
by
J. Belmar Hall,
Instructor, Department of Cinema, U.S.C.
others the result will be discord, not harmony. The main or structural lines of an object or design determine the location of the center interest. Structural lines should determine the character and general direction of the other lines. In speaking of "good design," we mean that the line qualities and line divisions are structurally good and artistically handled.
Next month we will take up the other principles in structural design in composition. Dynamic symmetery also will be covered as this is one of the most important things in good composition.
THE AUTHOR'S GHOST
SYNOPSIS: A study in lines, angles and tricks of the 16mm camera built around a dummy figure of an author who has only saw-dust for brains. In his mad search for ideas, such that could come only from a brain of this kind, we are led a merry chase into all the abstract forms that will make a perfect montage or mounting of shots that are related to the story through the movement they express. Each shot must build up the tempo until the brainpictures that flash through the dummy head of the author cannot stand the strain any longer as ideas meet and clash
Continued on Page 550