Business Screen Magazine (1963-1964)

CASE HISTORIES OF CURRENT & USEFUL NEW PICTURES You Can Help ^\ in an Election A New Film I'noiilfr. a \ <■r^alil^■ Short ('inii^r in I'raclical Politics, Showing! "How the Opinion Maker Mak<•^ Opinions" 'T'hi: Ac rivi; Citizen, man or -' Woman, is not only a voter. : though our system of democratic Government would be far more effective if every eligible person did just that. To survive against dcmagoguery and to put the professional politicans on their mettle, citizen action must go beyond pasxive participation. In short, influence in politics belongs to those who exercise it and who make their opinions known. More than a year ago. the \nierican Medical Political Aciiiin Committee (AMPAC) began III Impress that fact upon the doctors of the nation. The Committee's ""educational program in depth" was reported in these pages. It included effective films, something borrowed and most of 11 new. hard-hitting and now widely-shown at countless hundreds of meetings of professional men who have found themselves better "schooled" in the practical arts of political action. \(>« Beinii Shown ;it Sfininars A current followup motion picture is now being used in seminar sessions of these Healing .Arts groups. It is virtually a complete learn-by-example. short-course in How the Opinion Maker Makes Opinions and that is its very appropriate title. 31 minutes, in EK color, with sync dialogue plus narration. Opinion Maker was filmed by the company which created the earlier AMPAC ""package.'" Parthenon Pictures of Hollywood. The previewer"s first thought and lasting impression is the vervalilily and wiile application of this picture's message. Dr. George Gordon, its principal player and the man who learns how opinions are really made, might well be Sam Jones, banker, or Dick Smith, tool maker. The 20 contacts made on a typical day illustrate actual, applicable techniques of opinionmaking. Film Can Ser\ c Either Party Whatever your party affiliation, there is no political bias in the picture. Although the influencer in the film is a doctor, the instruction applies to all men (and women) in potential leadership positions. The first third of the film is "broad-scope."" highlighting the qualities which mark the potential Opinion-Maker — showing him how to work up his dKlllled ""opinion statement." Then the body of the film demonstrates, in a succession of everyday incidents, how the Opinion-Maker can steer casual contacts into opportunities to HobtTt Carson is the luirnitor of this useful "short course" with techniques for political action. express his beliefs and to make his recommendations. It won't work with a good many people, no matter how ""influential" they consider themselves. But when the rii>ht ideas gel lo the rii^ht people, the American political system wins powerful allies, in whose hands may rest the destin> of a free society. ONE vote swung many an election this past year. One more convert to political action can be made every time this picture hits the screen. The Qualities for Iiifloence When Dr. Gordon believes that the things he believes in are threatened, what can he do about it'.' He has some unique and useful qualities: ( 1 ) he is above average in intelligence and education; (2) many people less fortunately endowed look up to him: (3) when he states an opinion, these people are apt to listen with attention and respect. The film follows him through a typical working day. showing how he can express those opinions within the framework of his normal, daily routine. The postman, a hospital receptionist, a young trainee, a head nurse, a patient . . . an absentee voter who has forgotten to get a ballot . . . are all contacted. .An elderly banker he meets at the country club is reminded George Gordon spends his evenings ringing neighborhood doorbells, passing out tin candidate's literature before he realizes it's not his dish. that, while no candidate reaches their ideal of perfection, staying away from the polls is a vote for the opposition. The "pay-off" on all this is in the headlines. Important elections were decided on single votes — on less than one vote per precinct. Focus .\tteiition on the Ideas Parthenon skillfully employs its ""ambient limbo" technique within many scenes, allowing the audience to concentrate on ""thought " via impressionistic backgrounds. Hospital scenes were lensed at Memorial Hospital in Long Beach. a pictorially beautiful setting. Use of modern recordina and liahtinc equipment implemented production without interruption of hospital routine. Opinion Maker was written by Parthenon's Cap Palmer; directed by Don Livingston (on stage) and D.ivid Bowen (on location). Glen Holse was art director and Ron Hagerthy the associate producer. Actor Don Haggerty effectively played the role of Dr. Gordon. Qualified organizations and companies may purchase prints of this widely-applicable film for their own intra-organization use at $2.^0 per print. Write Parthenon at 2625 Temple Street in Hollywood for preview details, r^ HOW (ii'iMoNs \i ^^ hi shaiu-d ihkim; \ ni'icM \\(irkin(i day Dr. Gordon suggests that a local Ihe doctor's brief words on behalf hu.sincssnuni help get his associates of his candidate facorahhj impress registered and voting. the land nur.te. On Ills lirsl riioriiiii'.; us an opinion 'fliis patient, happy tcith his disuiaker. Gordon tells the postman abilitij benefits, is a "Siimer," sure about his candidate. to cote for the other side. NUMBER 3 • VOLUME 25 • 1964 61 W^