Motography (Jul - Dec 1915)

10K MOTOGRAPHY Vol. XIV, No. 20. Egyptian scheme of designing and carries out an elaborate plan. There are one hundred and fifty comfortable chairs attractively arranged with ample space on either side of them. The place is carpeted and rich purple velvet hangings give the whole a pleasing effect. The walls and pillars are covered with gold leaf and artistically decorated with a hand painted design. There are two large motion picture theater organs arranged along one wall, and every known modern appliance and equipment is found in the place. The Efficiency Man By F. M. Taylor A man in the employ of one of the big moving picture producing companies has on his card under his name the words Efficiency Department. "Just what does that mean?" is the question often put to him. The efficiency expert in a manufacturing establishment is the man expected not only to thoroughly know the administrative part of the business, but he must be familiar with materials which go into the construction of the output, the details of moulding and assembling the parts. He must study to eliminate waste of time and material. The buying, the selling, everything must be systematized, so that the cost of production can be figured down to a penny. To obtain the maximum of results it is essential that the f. M. Javlor. i , c , , employes be of good character and industrious, and that the skilled workmen should be really skilled. The question of sanitation, light, heat and general comfort of all the workers is an important one. In most industrial plants one day is like any other day. There is a certain routine, and when there is a high standard of efficiency, cost and results can be estimated for weeks, months or perhaps two or three years in advance. A factory puts out a great many articles of standard design and quality, and there is a standardization of parts, or labor also. Not so with the moving picture industry. There is no standardization of parts or material or workmanship. There are no two productions alike. There are no two days alike, and one can never safely predict what tomorrow's results may be. The moving picture even in its early, crude state was an instant success. The films at once appealed to the masses and there was an immediate world wide market to be supplied. Production could not keep pace with the demand, consequently many producing companies early in the game made barrels of money. Capitalists were quick to see this opening for get-rich-quick investment. How many picture studios, think you, have sprung into existence in the past ten years? Many have gone the pace that kills ; "their wrecks strew the pathway of filmidom. But there are many still in the field, and new ones being launched every day. The market is already showing its limitations. Trash that heretofore has had such ready sale is beginning to pall. Higher grade productions are demanded. Competition is be coming keen in all classes of films, good and bad. Many companies have been overwhelmed by disaster simply because they could not market their goods. There has been much reckless waste in the business both in time and material. In the earlier days of the motion picture industry, this was scarcely taken into account because time was the great essential when profits were so large. Producers are beginning to realize the need of greater economy. Some one in Motography once said : "Turn a business systematizer loose in a picture studio. Then you make dynamic the ever latent antipathy and antagonism between art and business." There is no legitimate excuse for the aforesaid antipathy and antagonism. Art for art's sake is all very well as a rich man's fad, but if a man must make his living by his art he must combine business with art, and there must be full co-operation. In earlier days there was a scarcity of available talent. Now, the woods are full of artists of both sexes. Just see how competition is affecting the photographic end of the business. The other day a cameraman was heard to say, "five years ago I was getting $125 a week. I am doing twice as good work today, but am glad to hold my job at $55 per." The artist must lay aside his prejudices and forget there ever was any antagonism between art and business or prepare very soon to enter some other line of endeavor, as there is some one at the door waiting to take his place (yes, five or six of them). None can deny that there is great waste of high salaried time in the delays incident to unpreparedness and lack of co-operation. This can and should be remedied to a large degree. Film artists are keen to display their talents and are the happiest when at work. Long delays tend to ennui and discontent. Idleness breeds petty feuds which go far to impair artistic production. We would not propose iron bound rules as the solution of these problems. Diplomacy of a high order is what is required in the film studio. The efficiency man in the studio must first be gentlemanly in his deportment toward all, and be respected by all. He must be quick in judgment and uniformly consistent in his rulings. The least suspicion of favoritism begets jealousy, dissatisfaction and poor work. A thoroughly competent managing director is the ideal efficiency man. His should be the duty of getting the best there is in them from his sub-directors, the actors and the cameramen. Another there should be equally entitled to respect who should look after the other branches of the industry, the office, developing department, scenic and prop departments, carpenter shop, garage and the numerous other branches which must be so systematized as to give the most effective support, with least loss of time, to the stage work. The producing companies which neglect to train and install high grade efficiency experts simply invite financial disaster. Story Is Based on Fact It is little known that the strange and terrible religious order of the Flagellantes, which flourished in many parts of Europe during the twelfth century, once caught a foothold in America. This was about 1600, in the old Spanish days of New Mexico. The "Penitentes" sought purity of spirit by cruel scourgings of the body, and some branches of the order held an annual ceremonial crucifixion in which