The educational screen (c1922-c1956])

January, 1943 Page 13 arrangement and explains them in the Hght of the philosophy which guides the school program. A series of scenes showing class after class leaving the school building may be of interest to the members of the classes, their parents and friends, but such scenes do little to sell the educational value of the school program to the community. A cardinal principle in school-made public relations films should be that the scenes show action, and the action should be significant. Take these same children who paraded before the camera, smirking, waving and making faces, and show them at work in the laboratory, in the library, in the classroom, and the film will still have the same interest for those who like to see themselves in the movies, but it will also possess interest for those who want to know, or need to know what children are doing in school. The newsreel is not, however, the only type of public relations film. The Denver schools found that motion pictures which are " the work of the school in showing the community at work" may be more effective in public relations than motion pictures which "show the school at work" with unrelated scenes of as many classes as possible."* Any film which acquaints the public with the work, interests, and efforts of the public school is a good public relations film. A great deal has been written concerning the tech- niques of producing the school film and for raising funds to carry on film jiroduction in the schools. Far too little attention has been given to the utilization of these films Making a library at Rufus King High School, Milwaukee, Wis. after they have been produced. Let us return to our original question. Now that you have produced a school film, what are you going to do with it? Let us summarize some of the practices which have been found useful in this connection. L As a Parent's Night Program. The first and most frequent use to which the school film may be put is to present it to tiie student body, parents, and friends. This in itself should prove of interest and of value, but more to the point are the follow-up activities which may be employed. Printed matter may be distributed elabo- rating on certain points touched on in the film. Student reports, exhibits, and discussions may be held in con- junction with this showing. Next, steps may be dis- cussed by the audience, and plans made for an expan- sion of the school program shown in the film. In this connection, there is a tendency in most school films to present the school as a dwelling place of perfection, whereas, here is an opportunity to present needs, hopes, and future plans, as well as to point to accomplishments. 2. Taking the School to the Parents. It is notoriously difficult to get bu.sy parents to visit our schools so that they may better understand our aims, and thus co- operate in our endeavors. Especially is it true that the fathers of school children can not get to visit their young hopefuls and see them as they go about their school activities. The next best thing is to bring the school to the parent in the form of a short school film which he may see at his service club, at noon-hour show- ings at industrial plants, at the Y.M., or lodge. Usually these organizations are glad to get such a program. As to whether they will be glad to ask you back depends upon the quality of your presentation. Mothers may be reached througli women's organizations, and they will probably be at the parents-teachers meeting the night the film is shown there. 3. For Sentimental Reminiscing. Class Days and re- unions are always times in which the school film fits perfectly. 4. As A Report To The School Board. There has been a tendency in recent years to illustrate the school board report with photographs. Why not with a motion picture? Hardy Finch reports that the Greenwich, Connecticut Board of Education is planning such a report.' Whether your film appears as a formal report or not, the school board should have a special showing. 5. To Sell Visual Aids To The Community. If you want to convince the public concerning the value of visual presentation, show them a well made film pic- turing their own schools in action. Wagner reports an Ohio board of education which bought visual equipment mostly as a result of seeing school made films.® 6. For Doubtful Taxpayers. If your taxpayers are wondering about what is happening to the money they pay in school taxes, show them with a film. An Ohio community presented their school film at a taxpayers' meeting just before a vote was taken on the renewal of a 3 mills tax for operating, and the tax was promptly {Concluded on page 26) Activity of Central High Photoplay Club, Newark, N. J. 4. Brooker, and Herrington, Op. Cit. p. 16. 5. Finch, Hardy, R., "School-Made Motion Pictures," Edu- cational Screen, June, 1941. P. 256. 6. Wagner, William, S., "School-Made Motion Pictures for Public Relations in Ohio (III)," Educational Screen, March, 1940. P. 100.