International photographer (Feb-Dec 1929)

June, 1929 The INTERNATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHER Twenty-nine WHO CAN ANSWER THESE? Story Structure 1 — Will the peculiar characteristics of the motion picture be sacrified to the new talking picture script? We look upon these features of the motion pictures as something apart from the stage. 2 — Will the talking picture story develop a tendency towards a mere imitation of the stage? 3 — Will there develop the same tendencies among the clever dialogue writers, as among some of the title writers, to overwork their opportunities? 4 — What will be the chances for originals. Will the new art also depend upon the publishers and the stage as a guide in the choice of stories; or will the day come, when the screen will attain such position that the situation may be reversed. 5 — Is there at present a tendency to exagerate the "so de voce" in dialogue recording. General Application of the Sound Technique 1 — Will the charm of variety in settings and rapid change of locales be distroyed by the more direct method of story telling by dialogue? 2 — There seems to be a general resentment towards the introduction of the new and important position of the sound expert. Is not this more an apprehension than a reality. 3 — Is there any reason to fear that the director and the author will be trammeled by the demands of the sound expert, or will it merely mean that they will have to familiarize themselves with another department of the art. 4 — Is there a danger of the directors overlooking some of the subtleties of the art in their anxiety to secure the sound effects. 5 — Is there any real reason why photographic effects must be sacrificed to the sound requirements. 6 — Can there be a proper illusion between the sound and the picture if an even sound level is maintained, regardless of the various set ups, or CAMERA ART (By Gunther. Rittau, of the Ufa Company.) The film in its best productions has established its claim to be a new pliable medium of artistic expression. But the path to the perfecting of this new visionary art is long. The celluloid strip was seized to create the first ''wonderful, living pictures" — for the fair-booths. The public was fascinated. The cinema arose and enticed millions to its shimmering canvas. Then there emerged the task of moulding the camera and the film into a new means of delineating art. And all who are engaged in this task are apprentices of the new "camera-art"— for there is no master. We appeal to the eye by a transient sequence of optical impressions, as the musician appeals to the ear by an acoustic sequence of sounds. The lens is our etching needle. We turn backwards and sweep along the avenues of time; we observe humanity in all its moods — and discover a new physiognomy. We turn slowly, and the flowers bloom. We turn quickly, and there is revealed to us the secret of the bird's flight. We let the camera swing through space, and observe its dynamics. We create giants and dwarfs, legendary forests, dragons, and knights errant. We lead man over the whole earth and point out to him the grandeur of Nature; and we conduct him through the secret, tiny places of the microscope. We have learned to love our camera; and every day we discover something new and fashion ever richer our scale of expression. Its simple, optical speech has perhaps already become expressive — like all the other arts. From the plaything of the fairbooths there has been fashioned a weapon of culture, and from this fact arises the duty of the creative film artist not to profane the rich art of the camera, but to use it in the service of true culture and international ethics. should there be perspective in the sound reproduction as well as in the picture. (Example) : An extreme long shot carrying the same volume of sound as the extreme close up. 7 — After all: Will not the new system develop the individual genius just as in the silent pictures, who will overcome all the difficulties and develop the perfect technique for the talkies? EASTMAN, DUPONT, AGFA— STRAIGHT OR PANCHROMATIC 35 MM ONLY STUDIO ENDS— Tested and Made Into 100 foot Rolls, 10 feet black leader each end $2.75 100 foot Rolls, 10 feet black leader each end (on spool) $3.25 Same on the new Bell & Howell spool $3.75 200 and 400 foot Rolls 2Y2c per foot 17 y2 -foot pieces for Septs., 3 for $1.00, 7 for $2.00, 15 for $4.00 35-foot pieces in individual cans, l%c foot in 1000 foot lots only White Negative Leader, $2.50 per 1000 feet. All Films shipped C. O. D. FRED C. DAWES Negative Stock Library 1426 Beach wood Drive, Hollywood, Calif. THAT GOLF BRAWL Reggie Lanning, promoter in chief of the big International Photographer Golf Tournament, announces Labor Day as the tentative date. The event is set so far ahead not only to do honor to Labor Day, but because of the exegencies of the handicapping rules. To be eligible to play contestants must be able to turn into the handicap committee not less than five cards on eighteen (18) hole golf courses. The purpose of the promoters is to make this the gala event of all events in cinematographic history. It will be an all day session with prizes galore, many of beauty and value; a buffet luncheon or picnic feast, as you please, and with music and dancing on the side. Handicaps and full details will be announced in the July issue of The International Photographer. 0 SOUND WITH COILS Earl Miller at Paramount, who is the "Papa" of whistle boxes or choke coils, says they are cool but still hot — very much in demand — and going over big — using more of 'em every day. Speaking of whistle boxes, ask Old Man Whistler at Pathe. Bill Johnson RKO. He likes his chokes and is one of the very best manufacturers of choke coils in the "Racket." Says he: They may burn up but they certainly do the stuff. Slim Roe and Pete Harrod ate keeping their secret in the sack, but you better watch those two tall, slim, heavy boys — 'cause they're clicking all the time. ABROAD British Photophone, Limited, have adopted the sound-on-disc system. The first missionary film was shot 25 years ago — a picture of missionary work in India. Fifteen studios are now producing in England. English studios need cameramen badly, but they want Englishmen only if they can find enough. They also need make-up artists. Phone GLadstone 4151 ROLLqiPOOD STATE 5ATIK The only bank in the Industrial District of Hollywood under State supervision Santa Monica Boulevard at Highland Avenue