The Educational screen (c1922-c1956])

Audio-Visual Center, Indiana UniverHity Slide production scenes from the film "How to Make Handmade Lantern Slides." Left: Brush work (India ink) on translucent paper. Right: Slide crayon on etched glass. How a Motion Picture Was Made On How to Make Handmade Lantern Slides by MARY ESTHER BROOKS Assistant Production Supervisor, Audio-Visual Center, Indiana University ONE OF THE NEEDS ill tlie field of audici-visuiil education has been the effective u.se of the nied.a in courses, institutes, and conferences devoted to Audio-Visual Materials. Since workers in the field are frequently asked such questions as "Why don"t you use the film to teach audio-visual methods if it is so effective?", universities and schools are now pioneering in the production of teaching materials. First Steps About a year and a half ago the Audio-Visual Center at Indiana University was able to assemble staff and equipment for the beginnings of a production program. One of the subjects which was high on the list of possible productions was a film for professional training in the area of audio-visual materials. After the staff considered several possibilities, they finally selected the subject "How to Make Handmade Lantern Slides". Since the production of these slides can he mastered by teachers, pupils, student teachers, group leaders and others concerned with the presentation of materials in pictorial form, slide-making has been included in the audio-visual classes at the University and in the four Extension Centers. Considerable research in production techniques, materials, and utilization of handmade slides had been done at the Center during the previous three years. Through this continuous process of use, experimentation, and research, simple, effective production techniques had been developed and improved. Moreover, the Center was being called upon several times each year to demonstrate the production of handmade lantern slides to tc-aclier conferences, sectional meetings, and work.'^ho]) groups. The first step in the production of the film was a detailed break-down of the subject into types of slides, mat'-'rials and e(|uipment, skills involved (mechanical skills, and mental skills and understandings), utilization ideas and suggestions of many subject-matter areas on various grade levels. This was laid out in the form of a grid or check list. The break-down was checked by all members of the Center .staff' for ]X)ssible omissions ami errors, anrl then it was used as the basis for writ ng rough script. "Bare Bones" or More? llefore the scri])t was started, a major decision had to i)e made. Should the film show only the "hare bones" of ])roduction techniques in slide making with no im])lications for the utilization of these slides, or should it show slide production in context with the subjectmatter hackirround and actual classroom situations? 222 Educational Screen