American cinematographer (Jan-Dec 1931)

Thirty-six AMERICAN C I N E M A T OC R A P H E R March, 1931 Cluck, Cluck IF STUDIO picture makers think that stars are temperamental and difficult to handle, they should try their skill on a bunch of hens, says C. L. Venard, famous maker of Farm Films, of Peoria, Illinois. Mr. Venard sends the above picture along to show the studio workers just what the boys outside are doing. New Filmo Educational Booklet EVERYONE interested in the use of motion pictures in the educational field will want to read the new booklet, "Filmo Motion Pictures in Visual Education," just issued by the Bell & Howell Company. Among the many important subjects treated is that of the use of sound movies in education. Sound is bound to come; as a matter of fact it is here now. This booklet tells how the sound picture can be profitably and economically introduced into actual every-day use in school and college. "Finding Films for School Use" is the title of an especially valuable section of the booklet. Teaching films are as necessary to modern education as textbooks and wall maps, and helpful suggestions are given as to how to secure a worthwhile supply of educational films. How schools can make their own movies is another extremely vital topic that is interestingly discussed, as is also the important subject of how to care for 16 mm. films. A section entitled "Pointers for Projectionists" is sure to be of tremendous usefulness. Included in this section is a valuable table showing picture sizes obtainable on the screen by Filmo projection lenses of different focal lengths. The booklet is rendered particularly timely due to the fact that it carries the news of the recent development of the powerful 75 volt 375 watt lamp for 16 mm. projection — a lamp which, by making possible the entirely adequate projection of 16 mm. black and white film to a width of 12 feet, opens up a tremendous new field for the amateur size film in school and college. A list of typical installations of Filmo equipment is Universities and Colleges, High Schools, Public Grade Schools, Private and Parochial Schools, and Associations of educational significance, is notably impressive. Copies of the booklet can be had free on request to the Bell & Howell Company, Educatonal Department, 1801 Larchmont Avenue, Chicago. Paramount Color ANEW three-color additive process, which it is reported Paramount will have ready for general use in about one year, costs only approximately 1 J \ cents a foot more than black and white, it is understood. In other words, total cost is 4J,? cents a foot, as compared with present color costs of 8'i cents a foot and up. Laboratory work on the process is practically completed. The job now facing the company is that of designing machinery to standardize the quality of prints. Prints used are in black and white. Color is transferred to the screen through the addition of a filter in front of the projector lense. The projector can be operated at normal speed. Filmo Topics JUDGING from advance information, the March issue of Filmo Topics, the excellent publication of the Bell & Howell Company, should prove of real interest to all users of 16 mm. equipment. A copy will be mailed free to anyone who sends his request to Bell & Howell Company, 1801 Larchmont Ave., Chicago, III. The contents list follows: Filmo joins the Army. How motion pictures helped keep Battery "A," 15th Coast Artillery, in the "excellent" class. By Capt. A. C. Cleveland, Coast Artillery Corps, U. S. Army. Composition in Motion Pictures. Some simple artistic principles which you'll do well to apply whenever you sally forth with your Filmo. A Naturalist "Goes Filmo" . . . and produces motion pictures of bird life which are employed in Audubon Society educational work. Filmo News Pictorial. News photo and captions. Titling Your Films. No. 6. A pot-pourri of novel title ideas used and contributed by Filmo owners. "Facts About Filmo." Article No. 15, dealing with the optical system of the Filmo Projector. By J. A. Dubray.