Educational screen & audio-visual guide (c1956-1971])

AV in the Church Field by William S. Hockman Filmstrip Standards In 1957 we called attention to the need for standards for the filmstrip. A few people were alarmed. They thought any mention of the filmstrip's inherent weaknesses as a medium might wreck the business. What pessimisml At Penn State, where the 'Green Lake' conference was held that year, a few people took this challenge seriously and called an informal meeting of those interested. Some 20 came, all deeply concerned. When it adjourned it was pretty well agreed that there should be another meeting to go further into the matter of specifications for the filmstrip. Meetings were held, and the result was a folder entitled Standard Specifications for the 35mm Single Frame Filmstrip. It lucidly sets forth dimensional and other specifications in the hope that the industry wiU adopt them. A week later I received a filmstrip which had been manufactured under these specifications. There were the green frames to start on, the right number of frames for all the credits, the body of the fs and at the end the two red frames. Without sacrificing individual initiative and creativity, the manufacturers of filmstrip projectors would do well to get together and set up a few simple standards for the machines which are to project these much-improved filmstrips. It is not too early to get at this job. One thing is sure: The pro jected still picture is and will be the workhorse of visual aids for some time, but we are equally convinced that the filmstrip in its present form and format can stand some improvement as a medium. This goes for projectors, too. Yes, Do Stop! May I quote: "A startling new film, full color animation, with an original jazz score: subject, safe driving; the title. Stop Driving Us Crazy." Quoting further from a little exploitation folder: "It is a crazy new film, with crazy color, crazy animation and a crazy new jazz score, but it's good education, too." I can agree up until the last clause. From then on I would like to disagree. I did not find the film funny. What's funny about safe driving, or accidents, or trying to put Christian standards into practice when driving? I tried to like this film (running time 10 minutes) but I just could not. I tried to think that it was good education in a new format, but I could not see it that way. The flier talks about "top modern talent from films, art, television, and music." What a pity there were no educators available! But I'm glad the General Board of Temperance of the Methodist Church made the film. It may prove two things: that the Methodist have come a long way when they can jazz up temperance; and that it takes know-how as well as 'talent' to make a good and useful educational Word Records, Ino., religious record producers, has opened a $325,000 plant in Waco, Texas. Most of the staff of this growing firm arc former ministers or lay leaders. Ethel Waters, who has a new career as a sacred song singer, is a member of Word's recording staff. Radio commentator Paul Harvey has also narrated several records for Word. film. Available from the rental librar of the Methodist Publishing Hou Nashville 3, and many other cities. Africa Film Gets Top Hott At the American Film Festival cently held in New York, the 30-m ute color film I'll Sing, Not Cry j| the Blue Ribbon award for being t' best in the religious category. C congratulations to Berkeley Studi" producer for the United Church Canada and the United Church Christ (USA). The material, be visual and sound, was gathered Angola in 1958 by a team under t able leadership of Rev. An.son Moorhouse. Mr. Moorhou.se has ma films in China, India and Africa I the United Church. This was his s« ond Africa film. The first. The Kini Man, took top Canadian honors ai won high acclaim in the USA. Whthe award was made. Professor Pa H. Vieth of Yale University made sp cial mention of the unusual soim track, the quality of the photograph and the sensitive portrayal of tl African people. It is Disturbed The title for the film Africa D turhed, released recently by the Broa casting and Film Commission, car out of a conversation Dr. Roy G. Roi long-time missionary to Africans ai one of the real experts on this va continent, had with an old man. "Y( Africa is different now. It was qui for many years; now it is disturbec: How disturbed the headlines will ti us day by day. Why disturbed y( will know better after you have se< this interesting and informative ! minute film in fine color and soun We recommend it highly for you and adult groups in the church ai community. Dr. Ross speaks .som of course, but lie calls on his Afric: friends to tell us what they thin They are thoughtful and challengin This is the century of their freedoi and we as a free people will need th( friendship even as they now ne( ours. See the film; it has much to sa New Bible Series Eye Gate's new release, "The Sto The Bible Tells," is a series of fo filmstrips designed to give in outlii form the great Bible events for ch dren 6-11. It uses language whii children will understand and picture says the producer, "which nourish th( imagination." Better, these filmstri will help primary and junior childri begin to grasp the sweep and signi 286 Educational Screen and Audiovisual Guide — June, 19(