Home Movies (1950)

THE use of well-planned time-lapse sequences in any film can add interest and entertainment, as well as get over the idea of passage of time without the use of too much film footage. The old reliables, such as the spinning hands of a clock, or turning pages of a calendar, have been rather overworked, to say the least. Why not plan out some that are different? This type of sequence can denote the passage of a great deal of time or a few hours ,depending upon how it is done and the scenes used. Try this one to show the passage of a few hours. Start with a medium close-up of a man reading a book, cigarette in his hand and an ashtray close by. Then made to a close-up of the ashtray, showing it clean or with possibly one cigarette butt in it. Fade from here to a close-up of the same ashtray, full to overflowing with cigarette butts. Flash from here to a medium shot of the man leaning back in the chair, book dropped in his lap, sound asleep. If you wish to use a girl as your actor, start with a medium of a girl reading a book and at the same time reaching for a piece of candy from a bowl beside her. Then a close-up of the candy bowl, showing it full. Fade to another close-up of the candy bowl, full of empty wrappers, then a medium of the girl, still reaching for candy. In both of these sequences, have your actors just starting the book at the first scene and just about ended at the last. Another good time lapse sequence in a "boy meets girl" film will also furnish a little humor — even to husbands. Show a medium close-up of the boy gazing raptly at a picture of "the" girl. Fade to a close-up of his hands holding the picture, so that the absence of a wedding band can be noted. The next shot should be a close-up of his hands again, showing the wedding band very plainly. From here fade to i medium close-up of the boy, all decked out in a fancy spron, glumly drying the dishes. The right facial expression here will really help your scene. To show the passage of time in a picture featuring construction, such as the building of your new home, a good opening shot is a close-up of architects plans, with a hand pointing out any feature. Then make a series of fades, starting possibly with surveyors laying out a lot, then another medium of the building framework, then a close-up of a hoe mixing mortar and so on through various stages of building, winding up with a shot of the completed structure, with landscaping and all. The filming of a birthday party always includes the cake, so that can be used in making a nice sequence. Start with a hand holding a large spoon stirring up the batter in a large mixing bowl. Here would be a good place to back up for a medium shot showing a child watching the proceedings with great interest. Then the cake batter being poured into the tins, then the completed layers coming out of the oven. Show the start of the icing process and then flash to the completed masterpiece and on with your story. An automobile, a man and a wrench can furnish a good humor sequence. Let the opener be a medium shot of the man, in his old clothes, holding If you gaze too long and lovingly at . . . T)ke T)ime <J£ap£e cAdaA 3nteretf Z)o 3ilm£ By HAL COOLIDGE Photographs by the Author a wrench and peering under the hood of his car. Then show two or three close-ups, showing a growing pile of parts — not too many here. Then make a final fade to the man standing completely surrounded by parts, hair all mussed up and a wild look on his face. As the original car should not show in this scene, almost any auto junk yard can furnish the necessary props, and you can probably find a pile that will be already pretty well arranged to suit you. In your films of your children growing up, close-ups for time lapse can be made at any time and spliced into the main film. The toys of childhood changing with age, they are an excellent medium to show the passage of time and introduce a new phase of the child's changing life. For a boy, the first shot could be the usual rattles, then possibly a small wheeled toy, then a toy for pulling and so on up through tricycle, roller skates, bicycle, baseball bat, boxing gloves, fishing tickle, football, etc. Each of these items will introduce a different period of time. Regardless of what you are filming, good time lapse sequences can convey the passage of time without adding a lot of useless and tiring footage, as well as add interest and humor to your film. Don't make any of the sequences too long and be sure that they are plain enough to tell the story you are trying to put across. . . . the one and only girl you are apt to . . . (dissolve to) . . . find yourself with a wedding band and gazing at a pile of dishes.