Focus: A Film Review (1950-1951)

203 demands long experience, patience and a lot of rehearsing before a scene can be filmed. In the documentary field, most cameramen use light portable, clockdriven cameras which can be carried anywhere, free of the restrictions imposed by complicated and cumbersome studio equipment. Here, too, photographic values are of first importance, and anyone who has taken the trouble to study camerawork for itself — that is, separating it from the narrative being unfolded — can instantly tell the work of the creative cameraman from that of the purely technical man. However, whatever the nature of a film, the finest camerawork never distracts the viewer from the story being projected. C.F.I. NOTES Catholic Film Exhibition The dates originally thought of for the Film Exhibition and Conference which the Birmingham Youth Organisation has promised to organise for the C.F.I. coincide with the dates of the Lay Apostolate to be held in Rome, October 7th to 14th. It is therefore necessary to change the dates for our Film Conference. As we mentioned before, the idea is that priests particularly but lavfolk as well, who are practically interested in sub-standard film production should come to Stratford with their films to show them and to talk about them, as well as to see what other people have done in this line and to exchange ideas which will certainly be fruitful of much good for practical Catholic film action in the future. Details can be obtained from Rev. Father T. C. Copsey, M.A., Soli House, John Street, Stratford-on-Avon. C.F.I. Lectures Talks have been given on various aspects of the film from the Catholic standpoint at Chester, at Cardiff, at Sheffield and at Weybridge. Discussions at these meetings show that there is a great deal of adult and intelligent interest waiting to be awakened and guided along the lines indicated by Pius XI in his memorable Encyclical on Films. Focus Film Course The remaining lectures in this Course will be given by Miss Freda Bruce Lockhart, speaking on “Dialogue in Films”; by Mr. Ian Dalrymple, speaking on “Factual versus Fictional Films”; and a final talk summarising the Course bv Andrew Buchanan. The next series will be given during the Autumn. The first series can be delivered again if there is sufficient demand for them. There is no reason why they should not be arranged for other parts of the country with the same or with different speakers. FOCUS FILM COURSE A Series of Lectures to be delivered at MORE HOUSE, 53 Cromwell Road, London, S.W.7 under the supervision of ANDREW BUCHANAN at 3 o’clock on April 7th and alternate Saturdays until July 14th FEES: Single Lecture 1/ Syllabus from Catholic Film Institute, 157 Victoria Street, London, S.W.l