Home Movies (Jan-Dec 1940)

k ow can improve J^EADERS are again reminded that HOME MOVIES’ film reviewing and criticism service is offered to all amateur movie makers — the only such service made available without charge by a cine publication. If you want advice on editing or titling your film, or criticism on photography, exposure, etc., send it to the editors of HOME MOVIES together with sufficient postage for its return. In addition to the above, your film will be graded and an attractive animated leader returned with it. Also, it will be given a free cleaning and preservative treatment. Reviews selected for this month are as follows : "A LETTER TO ANNE" ★★★ 400 ft. 1 6mm Kodachrome — By E. M. Continuity : Whether one shoots 8mm or 16mm film, this is a story readily adaptable — requiring no tricks or gadgets. The action opens with a woman seating herself at a writing desk and proceeding to write a letter to “Anne.” The opening paragraph of the letter says something about it being an eventful year. Then shots from commercial 16mm library films are cut in, some of which were from Castle Films’ news reels, showing flashes of sensational headlines about war followed by quick cuts of action war scenes. The theme works right up to the present — that is, the time of writing the letter, which is right after Thanksgiving. The letter proceeds to tell about the big turkey dinner, and is followed by compelling scenes of the preparation of the dinner right up to carving the turkey, the family grouped about the large table, etc. Members of family and guests are quickly introduced. Scenes are held down and well diversified. The story continues to Christmas, with the aid of short cutbacks to the letter, and then on to New Year’s, with extensive play given to the New Year’s party where there is a great deal of hilarity — well captured in color by this filmer. Friends are shown arriving at the home, dining, dancing and having a swell time. No scene is held too long. The picture closes with a cutback to the letter being written and showing an appropriate paragraph, and then the letter is sealed and addressed, closing the picture. Editing : This amateur has demonstrated a good “feel” for editing. He is particularly adept at timing length of each scene and for changing camera angle frequently to hold interest where many people must be shown in one sequence merely to record them. Titling : In this instance, titles consisted of part of the picture in that they were ultra-closeups of the letter. Each time a sequence changed, the filmer cut back first to the woman writing, and then into a closeup of what she had written which served as a descriptive title of « Reproductions on this page are from "Playing With Fire" ( top ) ; "H OW dy Mr. Santa!" (lower top); and "A Letter To Anne" (bottom). Note clever wipe-off technique used on "Howdy Mr. Santa!" titles. the action next to follow. Photography. One of the outstanding bits of photography in this film was a shot near the close of the story where people are leaving the house and entering their car. Snow covers the ground and a low, descending sun casts long shadows and a tinge of orange over the snowy landscape, making a composition that few cine cameras have ever recorded in such natural tones. "PLAYING WITH FIRE" ★★★ 400 ft. 16mm — By M. T. Continuity : This is a story that almost any amateur could tailor to his needs. While much of it is shot indoors, lighting requirements are simple to provide adequate exposure. The picture opens with a medium closeup of a husband seated • Continued on Page 24-7 too**