Year book of motion pictures (1930)

Brief Survey of Activities of Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America During 1929 1W *W National Motion Picture Conference A NATIONAL Motion Picture Conference, attended by more than 200 influential leaders in 21 states, was held in New York City September 24-27 inclusive. The purpose of the conference was to permit interested individuals, actively engaged in community work, to discuss matters of mutual interest concerning motion pictures. Many leaders of the industry spoke at the conference, the program of which was arranged by those who attended. Morning, luncheon and afternoon sessions were held each day. Four important steps were taken at the conference. (a) At the request of representatives of eleven important women's organizations, a woman was appointed on the Studio Relations Committee in Hollywood to help "interpret to the makers of motion pictures the feelings and wishes of womanhood in regard to the medium's development to its highest usefulness." The suggestion was made by Mrs. John F. Sippel, president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs. The women themselves offered the name of Mrs. Thomas G. Winter, former president of the General Federation of Women's Clubs and an internationally known figure. Mrs. Winter accepted the appointment and is now at work in Hollywood. (b) Appointment of a committee to list films, past and present, that are desirable for use at children's matinees, or Saturday Morning Movies. It is proposed to make available prints of films for which there is a demand, probably through a central distribution point. (c) Appointment of a committee, headed bv Dr. Howard M. LeSourd of the School of Religion at Boston University, to study the use of films in religious education with a view to listing such films as are in existence and of crystalizing opinions as to the kind of special pictures needed in that field. (d) Preparation by a committee of publicgroups' leaders of a motion picture text-book, or manual, for use by community groups who are actively interested in previewing, children's pro grams, etc. The book will contain actual experiences of men and women in various com munities who are achieving success in motion pic ture community work. Public Information The monthly publication, THE MOTION" PICTURE, is circulated in 16 countries. Several special booklets, chiefly one reporting the motion picture conference and detailing the various phases of the industry's activities, were prepared and made available to interested in dividuals during the year. Also a short history of the motion picture industry, and the development of sound, was written bv Will H. Hays under the title "SEE AND HEAR." Contact with Universities Contact with universities and colleges was further realized during 1929. Most important is a survey now under way to determine the interest in and the value of motion pictures to education. This survey includes contact with 573 universi ties and colleges in this country manv of which are featuring motion pictures in some phase of their activities. Another important effort in this regard was the production by the association of seven one-reel pictures depicting the educational system and life of seven of the leading women's colleges of the East, namely Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Mount Holyoke, Radcliffe, Smith, Vassar and Wellesley. These fims are to be presented to those colleges for use in arousing alumni interest, etc. Harvard University completed organization of its film archives and library and announced the first pictures to be entered as outstanding productions of the past year. Special Pictures A two-reel motion picture called, THE WILL TO PEACE, built around the signing of the Kellogg-Briand Peace Pact, was made by the association in cooperation with the National Council on the Cause and Cure of War. THE EIGHTH ART, a novel short subject in two reels repicting the technique of the motion picture camera and its evolution as exemplified in dramatic moments from some of the greae feature pictures, was also developed for specialized use. A third picture, called THE GREATEST STREET IN THE WORLD, was made in co operation with the Fifth Avenue Association and served to demonstrate to business organizations and associations the facilities available in motion pictures not only for stimulating commerce, but for the exchange of business ideas and ideals between communities, business enterprises, etc. Previewing Service Various national organizations of a public character with combined members of many millions, with the purpose of furnishing its membership with advance and accurate information, are previewing motion pictures each morning in Hollywood. The following groups have committees of thirty members, five of which "see pictures each day in the projection room of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; The General Federation of Women's Clubs, the American Association of University Women, the American Library Association, the Boy Scouts of America, the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Federal Council of Churches, the International Federation of Catholic Alumnae, the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, and the National Council of the Y.M.C.A. The Studio Relations Committee A Studio Relations Committee in Hollywood has completed its third year of successful operation On the committee is a representative of each of 570