Business screen magazine (1946)

DUNCAN continued Summary . . . Joe Pope, manager at Victor Duncan in Dallas discusses camera repair job. today boasts the largest inventory of cameras and accessories witliin a thousand miles. Joseph Pope is general manager of the Dallas branch and Robert Burrell heads the service division there, which provides complete precision equipment repair services. STOKES continued likable man, who is never more than ten seconds from a telephone. Asked about the recent tremendous growth of production in Dallas, he said: "[ believe it has something to do with two specific kinds of filmmakers who work together here. There are a great many enthusiastic young people who have grown up in the business free of the restrictions found in Hollywood, Chicago and New York. They lacked only technical discipline. "The recent infusion of adventurous technicians from other areas has resulted in an exciting blending of technical know-how and enthusiasm. "As far as our business is concerned, we have tried to base our business on a 'problem-solving' philosophy. After consultation with a client, we try to develop the proper method to solve the problem." Bill Stokes Associates is probably the most recently successful firm in the area and certainly has recorded the fastest growth, despite the fact that Bill Stokes himself is not a film technician. His knack for hiring highly skilled people and eye for what will sell in the current market have been the keys to success. Not Another Hollywood, Dallas Is Here to Stay Dallas will not be the new Hollywood. There will never be another. But there is no doubt that the city has firmly come into its own as a major production center in just the past five years. The history and growth of the film industry there is similar in many ways to the growth pattern of the city itself. Dallas actually grew slowly mainly due to the efforts of some dedicated early residents. Then came the oil boom and Dallas skyrocketed. The film business in Dallas dates back to the early part of this century in companies like Jamieson. Many dedicated people slowly built the industry. Then came the late 1960s coupled with the decline of Hollywood, a gradual influx of new talent . . . and the boom was on. There can be no doubt today that by any yardstick, Dallas is as complete a production center as New York, Chicago, and Hollywood. And, it is perhaps the harbinger of things to come in the industry. Already, places like Miami, Denver, San Francisco and Seattle are begining to show strong signs of a similar growth. Modern transportation facilities have forced the dropping of geographical barriers. The programs and films emanating from Dallas in the past three years harpoon the old image of Dallas as a "second rate citizen" in film production. Indications are that many producers there are rightly tired and indignant over this image. The world can expect a far more positive approach from them in the future. The film industry there has everything it needs to become a real leader in the future. A solid mix of experience and young talent, highly creative and skilled people, every necessary physical ingredient to produce anything. And, in terms of climate (meteorological, economic and social), outdoor shooting locations and a dedicated spirit, it is a step up on other areas. Big sponsors have already discovered the economic advantages of productions from Dallas. Others are sure to follow. On the preceding pages we have presented the stories of several "key" or typical production and service operations in Dallas. Space simply did not permit coverage of other equally capable firms such as Carlock/Langden, Hallmark Films, Visual Presentations, Pepper & Tanner and many other high quality production operations. Several larger companies like N. Lee Lacy and Robert Yarnell Richie have branch offices there. There are nearly 50 film distribution firms with offices in Dallas, and Modern Talking Picture Service and Association-Sterling Films are among those with regional libraries and headquarters there. In addition, there is a plethora of free-lance writers, editors, cinematographers and recording specialists there. There is also a unique spirit of dedication and cooperativeness among the people in the film industry. There is a genuine air of welcome hospitahty and informality that is difficult to forget, and is perhaps unequaled anywhere else in the country. And, there are ever increasing signs of strength, leadership and optimism growing there. As Dallas leader R. L. Thornton said years ago, "In Dallas, nobody builds things big enough the first time." The film industry there is no exception. Even with the phenomenal growth there in recent years, the surface has barely been scratched. The best is yet to come from Dallas. 1.4 PART 2