The Educational screen (c1922-c1956])

Suburban Film Council IN AN ATTEMPT tu explore possibilities in the use of educational films where no extensive collection was available. Summit, New Jersey has been the testing ground for an experimental ])r()grani. initiated by the Summit Library Board. This experiment was carried on with the advice of Glen Hurch. Executive Director of the Film Council of America, and with extensive cooperation from national film producers and others interested in audio-visual materials. The program has involved widespread cooperation with local organizations. It had three objectives: the provision of information on films — where they mav be obtained and how they may be used advantageously ; a survey of the needs of the associations, companies, or individuals interested in the use of films ; and a broadening of the knowledge of quality films and of their ap[jlication to current problems and developments. .\s the (juickest and most effective way of reaching these objectives, the Library arranged a series of prevues or samplings of films in many fields. On Monda)' evenings meetings were held regularly at 8 P.M. in the Public Library. Their purpose was the .screening of diversified informational films to indicate the range of subjects covered and their relation to current local interests. Over sixty films were shown and from all categories. The range was from Docs It Matter What )'oit Think? and Hon' Nature Protects Animals to Three Little Kittens and Making of a Mitral. The original attendance was developed through invitations to organization presidents. Direct invitations were sent to individuals who indicated interest. By this means people with association responsibility and others aware of today's problems had an opportunity to participate. As a result of this series of showings and related discussions, a Suburban Film Council was organized, centered in .Summit but including representatives from other nearby communities. The provisional officers are : Chairman, Allen R. Devenney, General Secretary, V.M.C.A., Summit; Vice-chairman, Mrs. Wanda K. Farr, Research Chemist, Celanese Laboratories, Summit; .Secretary. Mrs. Gerald H. W'inser, President, Sunmiit Library Board ; Treasurer, Mr. Arthur W. Baker, commercial dealer in films. The first project planned by the Council was a Film I-'e.stival to provide the community with an opportunity (o see many films in various categories of immediate conununity concern. Although no local film resources were available, generous help from New ^'ork offices of producers and the Princeton Film Center solved the problem of .securing films. Fquipment dealers responded generously in demonstrating their equipment for the film showings. .Al.so. information resources on films were displayed through the cooperation of the Public Library. in connectitjn with the showings in specific categories, community leaders who were authorities on the subjects by MARIAN MANLEY WINSER * Secretary, Suburban Film Council, Summit, New Jersey GIVE-AND-TAKE. Film Festival dinner meeting of the Suburban Film Council provided opportunities for informal discussion of films and film use in the community. were asked to act as leaders, stimulating discussion, getting evaluations of films, answering questions as to how they could be secured, and in general lending their prestige to the enterprise. During the Film Fe.stival, two groups of films were shown simultaneously at both afternoon and evening sessions. Besides these showings two sj)ecial features were a small dinner for round-table discussion of film use and a general evening showing of feature films. The dinner meeting was successful in developing fairly informal give-and-take consideration. Discussion by a panel of research consultants and local community leaders on effective ways to use films was the feature ; how to apply taxpayers' money to the best advantage in community use of information films was a topic of recurring interest. Mr. J. R. Bingham, president of Association Films, emphasized the need for utilizing every channel for informing possible users of the variety of films available for use in civic forums, mental hygiene programs, discussions on religious education, world understanding, and other fundamental questions. He pointed out that the Film Council, by an exchange of experience and information, could do much to develop wider knowledge of the limitless resources in this educational medium. The function of the Council in arranging previews of films in difTerent categories for representatives of various groups — to hel]j them select those most valuable in relation to Summit ])rt)blems — was brought out by Miss Marguerite Kirk, director of the Xewark Board of Fducation Division Libraries. The use of films as teaching aids as well as their most profitable u.se by the whole community was discussed. That manv teaching films are of great value and interest to civic groups, service clubs, and other organizations was emphasized by Miss Gloria W'aldron. film associate of the Twentieth Century Fund. Mrs. Gerald H. Winser, president of the Summit Library Board, pointed out that .Summit is advantageously situated to inaugurate a broad community program since as yet no heavy investment in films for the exclusive use of the schools has ( Continued on page 7i7i) October, 1949 355