Home Movies and Home Talkies (Jun 1933-May 1934)

142 HOME MOVIES & HOME TALKIES INSTITUTE OF AMATEUR CINEMATOGRAPHERS AN INTERNATIONAL NON-PROFIT MAKING INSTITUTION FREE FROM ANY COiMMERCIAL CONTROL WHATSOEVER PRESIDENT : HIS GRACE THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND, K.T. Gen. Secretary : WM. E. CHADWICK, F.i.A.C. 7, RED UON SQUARE • LONDON • W.C.I PER ANNUM. RETROSPECT IT happened a year ago, in Bloomsbury, London, in a basement. It is not always dark deeds that are }iatched in cellars, -and the I.A.C. was born at least very close to some cellars. Fotir of us, each of whom had been concerned closely with the amateur cinematography movement, pledged ourselves together to build up an organisation in which amateur cinematographers should help amateur cinema.tographers, in which the organisation should be more important than the individual, and in which nevertheless each member should have individual assistance and advice. We decided to name it the Institute of Amate\ir Cinematographers, and which we hoped would become a power in the land. We reahsed that the only way in which we could attain this end would be by service, service and yet more service. There would be no blowing of trumpets, followed by the non-fulfilment of empty promises. Before we promised our members any single thing we resolved that every step should have been taken to enable us to honour our liability to carry out our promises. The Institute was duly incorporated as a limited company, non profit-making, limited by guarantee. That was a year ago. We laid our proposition before the world of cinematography, and soon we were able to count the response. Cinematographers soon discovered that our ideals were the right ones and what we said we would do we did. More and more members came in, some of them very distinguished. It will be of interest to members to know that many of our valued patrons originally applied to join the Institute as ordinary members, Our Patrons List is no mere list of empty names, every person mentioned in it is personally interested in the hobby and the Institute. We were honoured by the acceptance of the Presidency of the Institute by His Grace the Duke of Sutherland, Kt., who is a very keen practical amateur cinematographer, whose pictures of big game are well known. Early in the history of the Institute the Council invited Messrs. George Newnes, Ltd., to co-operation with us in the shape of " Home Movies and Home Talkies " as our official organ, and through its channels we have been able to give the public much valuable information. The other members of the photographic press have also been most helpful while a considerable amount of pubhcity has been afforded us in the daily newspapers of the country. One of the early services which was inaugurated was the publication of the " Bulletin." This modest little pubhcation has entailed a vast amount of work, all of it voluntary. Not only was its format conceived with much thought, but much time and trouble has been given to the selecting and presentation of its contents. Many members have expressed the opinion that if the Institute did nothing more than publish the " Bulletin " it would be well worth the annual subscription. No time was lost in issuing several technical booklets for the benefit of members, and it is hoped that these wall be the beginning of a long series of useful booklets. Then, in conjunction with the I.A.C. Blue Book termit, we put out the Itinerary and Guide. Covering as it does the whole of the Continent and many other places throughout the world, the compiling of the information in this book entailed a prolonged and widespread activity, and although the Itinerary did not come out until April, 1933, work on it commenced as far ago as November, 1932. At that early time we were also in the middle of the organisation of the unique International Competition,which opened in November, 1932, and which remains open for entries until the end of September 1933. In January, 1933, we were able to place before our members a special insurance scheme for apparatus at special rates, and later in the year, owing to the generous offer of certain of our members we were able to offer free legal advice. The Institute's Honorary Solicitors have done much valuable work for the movement, and it is largely due to their help that we were able to report in last month's " Bulletin " that the Home Secretary's Department are considering an amendment of the Cine Act to remove certain anomalies which exist to the disadvantage of the amateur. In January, 1933, the first informal meeting of Institute members took place in London, which resulted in valuable interchange of opinions and ideas between members and Council, as a result of which several schemes are being worked upon and will be put into being in due time. During March the Institute was present on a large stand at the Ideal Home Exhibition at Olympia, by the kindly invitation of Home Movies and Home Talkies, and .several of the members combined to make an excellent film of the whole Exhibition. In April the President of the Institute opened the Kinematograph Exhibition organised and run by the Royal Photographic Society. These are the more obvious occurrences during the past year, but perhaps more important than all these is the unceasing flow of information, and letters of advice and assistance which has poured out of the Honorary General Secretary's office. Thousands of queries have been received and dealt with by the Institute's experts, while members have been supplied with details in relation to foreign customs, information regarding apparatus, scripts for travel and other films. Other organisations in this and other countries have been communicated with, and many points of contact in foreign lands have been established, while representatives have been appointed in many places. Surely, and not ASSOCIATES AND REPRESENTATIVES This arresting enamel sign displayed outside the premises of a dealer indicates to I.A.C. members that he is officially appointed by the Institute to represent the I.A.C. In order to ensure efficient working throughout the country ot our cine service, appointments of Associate Members are supplemented by the appointment of numerous representatives who are able and willing to render efficient assistance and service to I.A.C. Members will And it to their own interest te deal with the officially appointed Associates and representatives wherever possible, and mention that they did so because ot the appoint Appointed an ASSOCIATE of the FREE CINE SERVICE TO MEMBERS particularly slowly, we are building up a world-wide network of service for the benefit of our fellow amateur cinematographers. The Institute has in the past month answered 204 queries, and has supplied over 74 suggested scenarios to those wishing to make holiday or other records. The answers and assistance has been supplied by voluntary workers and is evidence of the very real desire on the part of members and officials of the Institute of Amateur Cinematographers to help one another. COUNCIL IVIEETING Council Meeting held at Anderton's Hotel, Fleet Street, on August 16th. The usual monthly business was transacted and the following 29 members were nominated for membership : — C. W. Palmer, Stanley Sutton, Francis R. de Ferre Lister, E. E. Pritchard, Norman Hackney, Dr. W. L. Stewart, David H. Eade, W. Fletcher Cooper, Dip. Eng., A.M.I.E.E. ; J. S. Mardel, Dr. O. Schiff, Dr. Maurice Goburn, Tullio Profumo, A. Bradnum, Jnr., J. P. Davies, A. J. Challe, M. B. Anderson. Miss Emily Bell, H. P. Hobbs, Geoffrey S. Davis, John Eccles, Capt. H. R. S. Coldicott, D. Kirkbridge Clarke, R. D. Crook, Ian M. Edwards, Capt. F. Britcliffe, M.C. ; S. V. Davidson, Norman A. Gobev, Robert H. Kay, G. G. Gray. ASSOCIATE MEIVIBERSHIP The following firm was admitted to Associate Membership ; Fox Photos, London, E.C.4. FIRST ANNUAL BANQUET May Fair Hotel, November 10, 1933 The I.A.C. is beginning to direct its attention to an event which, it is anticipated, will be another landmark in the history of Amateur Cinematography-the 1933 Banquet. London extends an invitation to the whole Institute Membership, and London is to be the stage of this first Annual Event . If every member of the I.A.C. will accept as a slogan " It's up to me to be at the First " and give fullest support to the very able Committee now planning arrangements and form'dlating a programme, success is assured. It will be readily appreciated that a comparatively heavy financial outlay will be necessary on behalf of the Institute. But this expenditure will be a very sound investment, helping to further extend and strengthen the foundation of our Institute, keeping it in the forefront in Cinematic Circles and displaying its strength and value to the Amateur Cinematographers at large. The Banquet will be presided over by the President, His Grace the Duke of Sutherland, K.T. IMPORTANT— Membership Subscription On and after 31st October, 1933, all persons joining the Institute ■will be required to pay an Entrance Fee of 10/6, and a yearly subscription of 10/6, in addition to being proposed by a Founding Member. All members who have joined during the first year will be termed " Founding Members of the I.A.C," and will only be called upon to pay a yearly subscription of 10/6 per annum, commencing 31st October, 1933. JOIN THE l-A-C-MAKE THE PICTURE TELL THE STORY