Home Movies (Jan-Dec 1940)

HOME MOVIES FOR MAY Authored by George W. Cushman EXTENSION TUBE H" /'BRASS STRIPS A BRASS STRIP KODASLIDE FIG-. 1 / 7^ ' 8" -I ^No. 2 PHOTOFLOOD/ BAFFLE TO KEEP STRAY LIGHT FROM LENS =-» \ WHITE \q„ \ CARD No. V PHOTOFLOOD KODASLIDE CAMERA FlGr.2 P ep up uour mowed wi «~4ITU HICK JJeRE are a couple of rather novel title tricks. The first concerns photographing a banner towed by an airplane and the second describes another method of using the same background with different wordings. Two or three months ago one of the questions answered in the “Title Trouble” column concerned how the amateur might go about photographing a title to resemble one of the advertising banners such as are towed through the sky by airplane. Mr. George W. Prediger of New York City saw this item, and, since he had succeeded in filming just such an effect, he was kind enough to tell us just how he did it, and supplied the diagrams reproduced here. Mr. Prediger explains that, while employed by an aerial advertising company, he had occasion to make such shots. “First,” he says, “it is necessary to secure a small model airplane, which can usually be found in a dime store or department store. Then, working on a scale proportional to the size of the model, make the banner as follows: “Put 2 sets of 8 small brads or tacks into a board, about 2 feet apart. (See Fig. 4.) Between these sets of nails, stretch 8 lengths of string and draw them taut. Let any excess string lap over on the right hand end, in case the strings prove too short for the banner planned. “Cut medium weight paper of any desired color in strips with a width proportional to the height of the letters. With a transparent glue or cement, paste the letters thus made on the string as shown in Fig. 5. At the left edge of each letter paste on a toothpick or similar piece of wood to keep the banner from collapsing. “The lead pole, before the first letter, should be of a slightly heavier stock. A lollypop stick does very well. The tail cone can be made of piece of the same paper rolled into a cone and pasted together. A small weight or two at the bottom keeps the banner upright. “The model plane used should be a biplane if possible, for the companies commercially engaged in this kind of work use this type of ship almost exclusively. The tow-line should be attached to the plane almost exactly under the pilot’s cockpit, and should be long enough to keep the plane and banner a goodly distance apart. In actual practice about 375 feet of rope is used.” Mr. Prediger goes on to explain that by stringing up the airplane outdoors in a place clear of trees or buildings, a realistic effect will be obtained. It is best, of course, to choose a low camera angle. Be sure that the sign hangs slightly below the plane and has a “grown-up” appearance and not a “model” look. Stretching the tow line too taut takes away from the flying effect; but still it should not sag. 1 HE effect was quite satisfactory,” he concludes, “when photographed on Kodachrome with an 8mm movie camera. A fan was used to give a ® Continued on Page 24-9 • Sketch at top illustrates method of shooting title backgrounds, as explained this month by George Cushman. Lower sketch explains method of making novel main title. Full details may be found in the accompanying article.