The Independent Film Journal (1954)

Paul Landres Says Correct Pre-Production Planning Insures Quality For Budget Films By Richard Bernstein “Motion picture directors who have gone into TV are coming back to motion picture production,” Director Paul Landres stated in an interview. Not only are they returning to feature film production, but they are com¬ ing back to the medium with some knowledge from TV which can be used beneficially in the making of feature theatrical films, he explained. Landres, who directed “Navy Bound” for Allied Artists, last directed “Army Bound” for the same companv before he went in for extensive TV directing. He has directed quite a number of top hits besides these two films for Allied Artists including “A Modern Mar¬ riage” and “Rhythmn Inn.” He has directed 150 major half hour TV films and will return to feature films with a directing assignment on Malvin Wald’s independent film, “Seven Is For Sinners.” “I feel that techniques of TV can be ap¬ plied to the production of feature films,” the director explained, “and help in the saving of time in production.” Landres points out that in TV a director learns economy and economical shortcuts in filming that can be used in motion picture making with success. Landres also cited the fact that there is a closer alliance between motion pictures and TV today with motion pictures getting top talent as well as top young directors from TV. TV has helped develop people for films. Likes "Packages” “The package setup of making motion pic¬ tures, wherein the producer, the director, the stars and the story are all a unit is a good thing for the director,” Landres said. “It tends toward a closer association for the director and the cast and people in such projects are selected for their creative ability. A director has lots more leeway than at a studio where he is assigned what he needs for a film.” Landres stated that the director’s biggest problem is always the effort to get the best quality within the shooting schedule and budget. He also emphasized that the inde¬ pendents are going to fill the gap left by the lessening of major studio production. The major studios’ policy of fewer and better pictures is a good one, but it has hit the exhibitor hard because he needs a quant¬ ity of films to change his bill. Landres stressed that the low budget filler film is a thing of the past and a supporting feature Title Changes Universal International: "Six Bridges To Cross" is the new title for “Five Bridges To Cross.” (Stars Tony Curtis; Aaron Rosenberg pro¬ duced). Lippert: "The Glass Tomb" is the new title for “The Outsiders.” (Stars John Ireland; Montgomery Tully di¬ rects). PAUL LANDRES today has to be a good picture, too. “I believe that the independent field will come back into its own again,” the director said. “An independent can make a top fea¬ ture cheaper than a major studio. It also has its choice of all the elements of making a film plus the screen media used.” Landres stated that actually shooting for the new processes that have been developed for motion pictures the last few years isn’t too much different. He said that in TV a director learns to strive for quality at a particular cost and that this can be transferred into motion pic¬ tures. “An audience can detect a lack of quality in a film and feels that it is being cheated. Quality can be obtained by pre-pro¬ duction planning in films, just as it is ob¬ tained in TV, which has a lower budget to work with.” “Knowing wdiat you want to film in a fea¬ ture by pre-planning,” Landres said, “is the way to cut cost corners. I make a sketched layout in advance of any film I do.” The director explained that as an architect blueprints a house, he blueprints a film. A former editor, Landres knows the overall picture of a scene. “Pace is the most im¬ portant thing in a feature film,” he said. “If it drags, you’ve weakened your picture. An honest story is imperative; it gets you an honest reaction.” In his blueprinting1, Landres stated that about 85 percent of his film is planned out ahead of shooting and he makes about 15 percent changes wdiile shooting. In regard to “previewing,” he recommends that a film bo previewed before the toughest audience that can be found. This gives you the hardest criticism vou’ll get, and you can cut your picture accordingly. Landres explained that each director has his own technique. “Each man of necessity has to evolve his own style. His style may be altered in different types of films, but it is still basically there.” “Seven Is For Sinners” is a gamblingstory, which has lots of action. HOLLYWOOD director Robert Aldrich in a film produc¬ tion of Jack Jevne’s screen play, “The Way We Are,” which will start May 1. A dramatic story localed in Hollywood, it deals with two people, a woman who runs a stenographic and typing service and a younger man who has returned from Korea. The film will be shot primarily on location in and about the city. . . . Charles Schnee will produce ‘‘Monster Beneath the Sea” for Clover Productions, Inc. which Columbia will release. The science-fiction thriller will be filmed entirely on location at San Fran¬ cisco with a starting date of Sept. 21. Schnee has completed negotiation with the U.S. Navy for the use of Commander Frank Lovelace to act as liason officer for the film’s naval sequences. Robert Gordon will direct the feature. * # * Jack Palance has been signed by Directorwriter Charles Marquis Warren to star in the title role of William the Conqueror in “The Norman,” which will be produced independently by Warren’s wholly owned company, Commander Films in the spring of 1955. Warren will direct from his own screen play on actual locations in England and France. The film will be shot in color and for wide screen. * * * ‘‘Saturday Night is My Delight,” the romantic story of a happy, boisterous Irish family at the turn of the century, was purchased by M-G-M for Jane Powell and will be brought to the screen with a youth¬ ful all-star cast, produced by Joe Pasternak. Bruce Manning is writing the screen play from the book by Torrey Hood. The picture will not be a musical, but a comedy-drama with music. * * * “They Were So Young,” the feature which was produced and directed by Kurt Neumann in four countries on a seven week schedule at a cost of $600,000, is going into final editing. The film, which will be re¬ leased by Lippert Pictures, stars Scott Brady and Raymond Burr and introduces Johanna Matz. Lippert Pictures expects it to be the biggest release in its ten year history. * * * Prelimary negotiations for a release deal on Hall Bartlett’s “Unchained” are being conducted in New York by Samuel S. Zagon, vice-president of Hall Bartlett Productions. Exhibitor Chuck Leonard, Hawthorne, Nev., and Mrs. Leonard are greeted on the set of Para¬ mount's "Two Captains West" by Donna Reed in Indian princess costume. Miss Reed is a member of the all-star cast of the VistaVision film. THE INDEPENDENT FILM JOURNAL— September 18, 1954 37