Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1933)

MOVIE MAKERS etc. First, perhaps, one would follow Father to his easy chair, to his pipe or cigar and the careful, loving preparation of it, to the evening paper, to the sport page, book reviews or stock quotations. For Mother, one might show a pile of mending in the sewing basket, the selection of the first pair of socks, the holes in them, business with thread and needle, the darning and the chair rocking gently. One may bring in the coincident activities of others in the family. There will be closeups of hands adjusting the dials of the radio, pausing, trying again and tracing down a radio program. Two children, a boy and a girl, may be discovered, in closeups, laying out a jigsaw puzzle. A possible conclusion that could be carried out well in closeup filming would show Mother getting first one child and then another off to bed, their feet going up the stairs, the differing times on the clock, lights going out here and there, Dad's pipe gone cold, his hands and feet in a great stretch, lights out and off they go to bed. It is impossible to enumerate, specifically, all the sequences that suggest themselves, and everyone's requirements differ. I am sure, however, that my point has been made clear. The most commonplace of daily occurrences can be made lively with interest through the use of closeups. When one is producing a dramatic film, closeup sequences are of tremendous assistance in eliminating titles. Fifty feet of carefully chosen closeups will do more for the dramatic intensity of the picture than any number of witty titles. Particularly can they be used to great advantage when a change of locale obtains. Instead of telling the audience in a title that the intrepid hero is rushing downtown on the "L" to save his fortune, while his beloved is being pestered by the villain, let them see it for themselves in a series of closeups. If you have already fixed the hands of the different actors in the minds of your audience by emphasizing some distinguishing characteristic, the story will be clear and little footage will be needed. Certainly, if your film opens in the midst of some gay party, shots of various aspects of it, gradually leading up to the principal players, will be far more effective than a lengthy descriptive introduction. There are other devices besides tearing a sheet from a calendar to denote passage of time. You can show the same pair of hands opening Christmas cards, mailing a Valentine, writing an Easter greeting, lighting the fuse of a firecracker, holding a football game ticket and so on. The result more than compensates for the little extra trouble and added hours of editing. Significant closeups are just as important in the finished film as skillful editing. 79 HUGO MEYER WIDE ANCLE LENSES 15mm. FOCUS //1.5AND//2.8 Hugo Meyer Wide Angle Lenses provide the opportunity for definitely superior work in indoor photography, with poor light and under conditions where the photographer is in close proximity to his subject. These lenses cover a 60% greater field than a 1" lens and are furnished in focusing mounts calibrated from T/2 ft. to infinity. It is not necessary to remove lenses from turret when revolving latter. Kino-Plasmat //l. 515mm $60.00 Trioplan //2.8-15mm 36.00 Ditto, but fixed focus 30.00 Literature on request. TELEPHOTO LENSES FOR SIMPLEX CAMERAS Constructed especially for the Simplex Cameras, these marvelously compact lenses are typically Hugo Meyer in their optical precision and offer a new and enhanced scope to this deservedly popular camera. Trioplan //4.5 3 inch Focus $45.00 HUGO MEYER & CO. 245 WEST 55th ST. NEW YORK Just two months old Just two short months ago, MONO FILM was introduced. One month ago, we were happy to express our appreciation for the widespread confidence shown by dealers in our new venture — a confidence substantially proved by their initial purchases. This month, our thanks go as well to the public — those who have used our product. Their re-orders confirm the fact that MONO FILM has fulfilled, in every detail, the claims we make for it. We hope that those of you who have not yet used this new 16mm. film, will take the opportunity to try it soon. We believe that reduced costs and satisfactory results will Justify its continued use. Fine Grain Wide Latitude Excellent Contrast Priced at $3.50 per 100' roll including processing MONO FILM COMPANY Homer Hilton Orton Hicks Five Hundred Fifth Avenue NEW YORK CITY