Kinematograph year book (1944)

Film Exhibition and Kinema Technique. 177 become the centre for all research in visual entertainment, will be welcomed in the quarters concerned. A special sub-committee of the B.F.I, has been formed to deal with : (1) The range of research in visual education which is desirable and practicable ; (2) The problems on which it is most urgent to obtain a decision ; (3) The qualifications in the use of visual aids which should be possessed by trained teachers. The Institute is considering organising examinations for the award of proficiency certificates to students so that all new teachers shall be properly qualified in the use of these optical aids. The Sub-committee on School Buildings has sent a memorandum to the Board of Education and local authorities with proposals that special structural design and electrical fitments for kinematograph apparatus should not be overlooked in their planning. Notwithstanding the war, considerable advance has been made on the educational side, and in this work probably Glasgow has set an example to the British Isles. In England, Sheffield with 50 silent projectors and several sound installations controlled by the Education Committee is one of the most progressive cities in the country. In America it is estimated there are some 20,000 equipments in schools, colleges and other educational establishments. It has been suggested that the mobile film units now at work in this country should also be turned over to educational purposes and that arrangements should be made for regular tours, visiting 10 to 15 classes weekly. The total cost per film unit to the authority concerned is estimated at about £25 to £30 a week, including the salary of the teacher. In addition to providing a spearhead for rapid expansion of the use of films in schools without the heavy outlay of providing one projector for each school, it would also solve the problem of the small rural school where the difficulty of provision is greatest, but where the need for the visual experience which the films provide is also greatest. Many rural schools are, of course, without electricity ; these would require the services of mobile units that are entirely self-contained. " Teaching with School Projectors " is the title of an important new pamphlet published by the British Film Institute at the price of Is. 6d. It is the first time that a serious attempt has been made to work out the technique of using sound and silent films in ordinary teaching work, and to set out the importance of the various types of visual apparatus. Considerable attention is paid to the details and set-up of projection in controlled daylight, and the pamphlet is illustrated with a number of useful diagrams and constructional drawings. The pamphlet has been prepared with the collaboration of Bernard E. Gillett, who was the Institute's travelling representative in its Board of Education (1940) and its Carnegie (1941-2) campaigns. Non-Theatrical Films : The huge coverage obtained by the U.K. Nontheatrical Section of the Ministry of Information Films Division within 12 months ended August 31 is shown by figures which tell of a total audience approaching 16,000,000 and the presentation by Mobile Units of 598,000 shows to some 10.750,000 people. In addition there were 2,000 special presentations in kinemas to another 1,500,000 persons. These performances were given on both standard and sub-standard equipment, and an analysis shows seven classes of audiences and programmes — i.e. (1) factories; (2) specialised shows for Government departments ; (3) village and other general shows ; (4) women's organisations ; (5) youths' organisations ; (6) schools ; (7) British Council shows. Forty films were produced primarily for non-theatrical use, films made for the following Government departments : Ministries of Agriculture, Food, Health, Labour, Education, Home Security, Home Office, Admiralty, Fuel and Power, Supply, M.A.P., British Council and certain Service subjects were included in the programme. The Archbishop of Canterbury has invited S.P.C.K. to form a " Church of England Films Commission," to act as a centre for collecting and distributing information about religious films suitable for use in churches and elsewhere. S.P.C.K. has accepted the Archbishop's invitation.