The Educational screen (c1922-c1956])

CHURCH Department We Need Complete Films \es, in the church field we need complete films. We need fi'ms that have something to say and get it said. But they must do more. They must get the folks ready to see and learn uhaf the film has for thsm to see and learn. After this there is one more job for the complete film — provide a follow-up. This follow-up I not a good term by any means ) is simply getting the new stuff learned from the film related to previous learnings and also unlatching a w indow of curiosity so that more can be learned later on. Are we getting these films? By and large, no. Are we likely to get them soon? From what we see, no. We are still making films that need to be belabored w ith words — words before they are shown and more words after they are shown. This is the incomplete film. This is selling the visual short. This is exploiting the film just half way. If the film can get over the main facts, if it can cause learning to take place at all, then this job of getting the learner ready by the use of films should be taken seriously by our film planners. What we have now is a poor excuse for a film which has been organized by those who both understand life, the laws of learning, and the structure of e.ducational stimuli which can get below the mental skin. Who wants to ride the horse of words six miles to an airport to catch a plane of pictures which will then rush you to a destination so fast that you can climb back on PREMIERE IN NEW ORLEANS. More than 200 New Orleans clergy and lay program leaders braved the city's nnost Inclement weather in years to preview "I Beheld His Glory," Cathedral's new featurelength film. The showing was arranged by Cathedral's New Orleans distributor, Delta Visual Service, Inc., under sponsorship of the New Orleans Council of Churches. Pictured reviewing Cathedral's brochure on the film after the preview are (left to right): Francis DIdler, representing Delta Visual Service; E. S. Lotsplech, Secretary, New Orleans Council of Churches; the Rev. Canon William S. Turner, Rector of Trinity Church, host to the group; the Rev. Mr. Robert H. Jamleson, District Director of Audio-Visual Aids, The Methodist Church; and Jamenette Hennessy, Chairman, Christian Education Department, New Orleans Council of Churches, who was In charge of arrangements. WILLIAM S. HOCKMAN*. Editor the horse of words for a ride into town! That's what we are doing. When are we going to have the educational sense to see that if we need an expert to get us ready to learn what the film is to teach us and then the same or another expert to smear a varnish of words over what we did learn to make it stick, that we don't have much of a film. Not nmch of a film if we actually take seriously ttie n.herent capacity of a soundly organized film to give experience. When we see the use of a film as providing an experience which is more powerful and deep that can be given by words alone, then we shall find ourselves becoming interested in the complete film. The readiness must be built in. So must the conclusion. The whole thing must be a whole. It must be conceived by educators who understand the inherent power of the visual and who are no longer satisfied with the present output of educationally impotent films slapped together for use in the church field. In terms of the film, it needs to be introduced. In terms of the learners, they need to be made ready — ready to learn what the film was made to teach. This introduction and this readiness material are very important. They should be carefully constructed out of film and not left as a verbal job for the teacher. In like manner the follow-up. Now we must button up verbally what was supposed to be learned. That's not using the film technique far enough. We should take the time when planning a segment of learning to conclude it effectively, and the most effective way is the visual way, not the verbal. In other words, we need complete films. Reviews and News Cathedral's New Film / Beheld His Glory is a good film. It is a needed film. It tells a great and dramatic story — the story of Cornelius, the Centurion, who watched the crucifixion and witnessed the resurrection. From the disciple, Thomas, he learns of other events in the last days of Jesus' life like the Last Supper. It is a moving story, with deep religious impact, and Cathedral places the church in its debt for having the faith and the courage such a production requires. Here is material everyone thinks he knows; about which he is likely to have strong opinions, to say nothing of strong likes and dislikes. These events have high theological voltage, and great care must be exercised by all who are brave enough to translate this difficuh Biblical material into concrete form. No one can exercise enough care to produce a film which will please everyone. Sotne will find the realism of the film disturbing. I am not certain that the churches are ready for moving cloBe-ups of crucifixion scenes, or careful enough in their use of films to keep them from little children. Let it he * Director of Religious Education, Lakewood, Ohio, tresbyterian Church. Address at 1616 Marlowe Ave., Lakewood 7, Ohio. 160 Educafional Screen