International Review of Educational Cinematography (Jan-Dec 1934)

458 EDUCATIONAL CINEMATOGRAPHY films are all on safety stock, and the 35 mm. films that are not already made on safety stock should be, as it is illegal to run nitrate films in schools without theatrical booths. Some non-theatrical films have sound and talking accompaniment, but most are silent. They are seldom distributed through theatrical film circuits, but are generally available for rent or sale to educational, religious, civic, and welfare agencies. Several universities, city school systems, museums, departments of the Government, in addition to commercial companies distribute non-theatrical films. Perhaps the most inclusive and extensively used catalogue of non-theatrical films is " 1000 and One — a Bluebook of Non-Theatrical Films ", which is issued annually by The Educational Screen. Among non-theatrical films there must be distinguished the special category of teaching films — motion pictures made expressly for classroom, or at least for school use. Examples of this type are found in the films distributed by Eastman, Erpi Picture Consultants, Bell & Howell, and others. These are usually quite short, ranging from 100 to 400 feet of 16 mm. film, and deal with some specific subject in the curriculum. Such films enjoy a wide acceptance among visual instructionists and constitute the backbone of the school films library. Some educators consider it a serious shortcoming that these films are not always closely coordinated with the particular textbook used, oi at least with the particular methods of instruction applied, or at least with the locale where they are sought to be employed. Other visual instructionists do not allow such criticisms to stand in the way of the use of otherwise acceptable films — editorial changes are readily made in 16 mm. motion picture films, and supplementary material can be prepared locally by instructors who consider this necessary. This is just a matter of learning to apply a movie camera and film splicer to school work. Some schools go to the expense of mak ing their own teaching films as a matter of policy. The Milwaukee Vocational School, for example, has produced well over one hundred and fifty educational films in its own visual instruction department, each of them approximately 600 feet (16 mm.)m length. Subjects include biology, general science, health, and civics — with special emphasis on local conditions. Another distinctive category of nontheatrical films worthy of special mention is the educational film sponsored by some commercial concern, whose product may or may not be dealt with in the picture offered free for school use. Most of the films offered by two of the largest sources of free non-theatrical film, the United States Bureau of Mines, and the Motion Picture Bureau of the National Council of Y. M. C. A. are of this type. Where the subject matter is ably and objectively covered, without any hawking of trademarks or other advertising, such films may be used to advantage. Where the film is transcendentally of the sales promotion type it should be rejected. In certain State teachers' organizations resolutions have been adopted denouncing classroom use of commercially sponsored motion pictures. On the other hand, in other States the State university visual instruction center has encouraged and even engaged in the production of industrial films sponsored by local industries to show local industrial products and manufacturing processes. It would seem that sponsored films should be judged on their individual merits, with lines drawn tight against objectionable material. In addition to the present and contemplated use of educational films in elementary and secondary education, it is becoming more and more apparent each day that they should be used extensively in the field of adult education with its different ramifications. It appears probable that the near future will see adult education recognized in a great variety of ways not thought of at the present time.