Educational film magazine; (January-December 1920)

.(GASDNIE The National Authority overing Educational, Scientific, Agricultural, Literary, Historical, Juvenile, Governmental, Religious, Travel Scenic, Social Welfare, Industrial, and News Motion Pictures Published Monthly at Floral Tark, N. Y., and 33 IVeH 42nd Street (Aeolian Hall), Nev York City DOLPH EASTMAN. Editor A. III. JUNE, 1920 No. 6 FILM PROGRAMS FOR SUMMER '^ LMMERTIME is outdoors time—a time for ^^ play, recreation, and healthful reaction from /^ the weary winter grind of work, worry, and inoney-gruhbing. Humans are so constituted at their minds and hearts become attuned to the )routing leaf and the chit-chat of the birds; and hen simimer comes they are disposed to try and for- ■t their cares, studies and serious aims and, like ■lildren, eagerly seize upon the toys and joys of life. For this reason, familiar enough to psychologists, : is difficult to interest the public in informational, stnictional, and cultural films during the warm ionths. Outdoor sports, the cool of the woods, the re of mountain and seashore are so much more apealing than the pictorial study of these things. .)Iks want to live these objectives at such a time istead of merely seeing them on the screen. Even the stay-at-homes, the shut-ins of congested ty streets seem to desire a lighter type of stage and ireen entertainment in summer than they accept facefuUy during the winter months. "Heavy stuff" 1II not do for them, nor for the "high brows" either, nile the mercury climbs and the foaming surf calls. These climatic and psychological conditions must I carefully considered in the selection of film pro- lams for showing to various groups in the summer- Ine. Obviously a chautauqua or religious camp }oup in the country must be approached from a dif- irent angle than a neighborhood group in the city < an open air or mass group at some distant point. Are such films available? They are, if culled with STewd discrimination as to the intent and the desider- vim one has in view. Judicious selection and editing ? Avell as titling will enable the program specialist to vilize parts or the whole of many existing film sub- j'ts and accomplish in large measure the aim or fais sought after. Summer film problems are not <fBcult for the programmist w'ho has a clear grasp < the psychology of the hximan mind and heart in its ijnim'er environment. AN ACADEMY OF VISUAL INSTRUCTION \Vhat some of us have pleaded and striven for dur- ing recent months has come to pass, or at least will cnme to pass if a sufficient number of interested per- sons and commercial concerns lend active moral and material support to the national society which has just been launched by a few forward-looking edu- cators of the middle west under the corporate name of National Academy of Visual Instruction. A pre- liniinar}- accoimt of the formation of the academy, its objects, the classes and conditions of membership, the fees, what it hopes to accomplish in the non- theatrical motion picture field, and an announcement of its forthcoming convention in July in Madison, Wis- consin, are published in this issue. It is hoped, through this academy, to bring about ultimately a broad, clearly defined, solidly built, nation-wide market for educational films, slides, charts, maps, exhibit material, and other visual aids to education. It is hoped to bring together in a big constructive way educators and intellectual and social forces on the one hand and commercial producers and distributors on the other hand, one group comiselling and co-operating with the other group, so that out of the present chaotic situation will arise a practical dav-by-day market based upon a steady demand at standard rental and sale prices of certain visual in- struction material. Such cooperation on the part of the two groups most interested in coordinating and systematizing the use of motion pictures in the non- theatrical field ought to bring about gratifying results. The prospectus is promising; those who are lead- er- 11 the movement are able, experienced, and sin- cere; and with a policy at once liberal, tolerant, and prnrrressive and ideals worthy of that great academy of the French immortelles, there is no reason why this small but earnest and enthusiastic society may not draw into its embrace thousands of visual in- stiuctionists throughout the United States and thus become a great constructive power in making visual education a reality in place of the iridescent dream it t"i\v is.