Educational film magazine; (19-)

RELIGIOUS THE FILM AS INTRODUCTION TO THE SERMON Successful Use of Movies in the Pulpit as Part of the Religious Service by Rev. Dr. Mark Kelley, Pastor of State Street Methodist Episcopal Church, Troy, N. Y. By William S. Mitchell* is it possible to use the motion picture successfully in a relig- ious service? This is the question many a preacher is asking and wondering whether any one is in a position to answer it out of experience which is sufficient to make that answer vith more than merely a personal theory. Many of these pachers who are asking this question have experimented in »' way or another with the movie, most of them unsatisfactorily. Tie causes for dissatisfaction are many. Sometimes it is the 61 itself, sometimes the projection, not infrequently the attitude i)!the part of the congregations before whom the pictures were s wn. Most preachers today, if you were to press them for an jiwer, would tell you that they have come to the conclusion I't the movie's place in the church's program must be found i'the social and recreative departments; that as a pulpit medium iias proven unsatisfactory. However, these same men, with the citinual evidence before them in the commercialized motion [ture's ability to put over its message, are puzzled as to the oarent failure in its religious use. One preacher has worked out the theory and technic of the ligious use of the motion picture in such completeness that Fhas probably made the most valuable contribution yet to this ieresting and pressing question of the modern church. I am (ite sure that his conclusions and methods will prove of value tmany a man who, realizing the power of this new instrument, ibaffled by the seeming difficulty of its reverent and successful r;. This preacher is Rev. Dr. Mark Kelley, of the State Street 'thodist Episcopal Church, of Troy, N. Y. Difficulties to Overcome When asked to state the difficulties which must be faced in intro- cing the motion picture into church use Dr. Kelley put them ingently as follows: "The uncouthness of the necessary motion picture apparatus of ''.chines, booth and screen as an adjunct of the modern church . iitorium; "The inferiority of projection in the church compared with f; professional projection to which all are accustomed; "The cost of installation and maintenance; "The difficulty in securing desirable film subjects; "The natural prejudice of church people toward a medium largely monopolized for amusement purposes; "The attitude of the congregations drawn by the advertisement ' the film—the popular, movie feeling and its effect upon the rshipful spirit and atmosphere." Most preachers who have ever endeavored to make use of the n, or have given its use any study at all will recognize these ficulties as exceedingly familiar. The way in which this par- ular minister solved them to his own and his church's satisfac- n may prove helpful. State Street, Troy, is fortunate in having the choir balcony in the rear, instead of immediately at the front of its church auditorium. The organ is placed in the center of this balcony, with heavy curtains hiding the door at one side by which the choir enters. Here it was comparatively easy to add curtains on the other side and build behind them a modern, professional booth with all the equipment of the usual amusement house, this hidden until needed for use by the curtain which balanced the other hiding the choir entrance. 'In The Bxpotitor. Projection Problems The problem of projection received long and serious consider- ation. It was found that inferior machines were chiefly respon- sible for the usual poor projection encountered in church use. The solution for this problem was the purchase of the machine now used by 80% of the professional houses. Another phase of this problem was to secure sufficient light. The usual church projection is longer than that used in the professional theater. Lenses, lighting medium and screen all must be carefully chosen. The wrong screen can "kill" 50% of the light projected anJ so ruin the picture. For church use the screen preferably must be one .capable of being used on a roller. By sad experience this preacher learned that possibly the best screen now manufac- tured is of little use to his purpose because so perfect is its reflecting surface that the slightest wrinkle casts a shadow which ruins the picture. It can be successfully used only when tightly stretched with a perfection of tension impossible to roller use. An operator was found who had been a professional. "It pays- to pay" is the motto of this church. We can not afford to go into competition with the amusement houses and use inferior stuff. Though the expense is high the results justify. The problem of proper film material is now being rapidly solved. One company at least is now catering entirely to the church screen and producing adequate material of the highest grade. Even the professional companies are beginning to awaken to the possibilities of this new field for their entering and many films can now be secured. However, experience teaches that for church use the film itself must be, not an adaptation, but one constructed from its very scenario for religious purposes, with the reverence, viewpoint and message of the church embod- ied in it. The last two problems are solved in the method of presenta- tion Dr. Kelley has worked out and which is the thing really of value in this discussion. The preacher making use of the motion picture in a religious service faces the familiar necessity of any service—that of de- veloping a worshipful and reverent spirit in the congregation. Much of the usual order of service in our churches is there for this purpose, that by hymns and prayer and scripture and the worship elements of the service the way may be prepared for the message of the hour. There is the additional difficulty, with the (Continued on page 19) 18