Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1949)

MOVIE MAKERS 149 Where all are active [Continued from page 134] for two reasons: first, I was responsible for starting the program, and second (and probably more important) as an architect I can sketch out the actual shooting plans and duplicate these sketches in quantity with my blueprinting facilities. Shooting schedules are determined from two to six weeks in advance and are announced to all club members through our club bulletin. A complete blueprint copy of the script and shooting schedule is then forwarded to each of the cameramen taking the picture, to each of the actors, directors and production staff. We have had as many as seventeen cameramen shooting on one story. With such a large number working, they are generally divided into groups and the action for each scene is repeated by the directors and actors until every movie maker has it to his liking. There are, I might point out, many unusual advantages to be gained from filming en masse in this way. In our Happy Landing production, for example, Western Air Lines held one of their scheduled flights seven extra minutes at the airport for us to complete our takes. During the same picture the City of Long Beach closed off the Rainbow Pier to traffic for an entire morning while we worked there. Later scenes, shot on the Pike, brought out several policemen to hold back the curious crowds. Our latest production, The Powder Puff Pirates, elicited sixteen cameramen in all, with twelve of them completing the picture and the others shooting production and human interest stuff behind the scenes. Outstanding about the Pirates, however, was the total of twenty fouj in the cast — our largest casting effct to date — and the fact that, using an RCA single system camera, I was able to add a sound version to our usual 8mm. and 16mm. silent productions. The choice of settings for this melody ama was characteristic of our efforts to keep them near at home and to make dramatic use of what's at hand. The chief settings are two. Location A was at the dockside and on board an old three masted ship tied up in Long Beach harbor. The scene plot for this locale shows a schedule of twenty four takes, which, with careful advance planning, we knocked off on a single Sunday. Location B was a deserted strip of beach and sandy bluffs near Balboa, twenty five miles from Long Beach. With more movement here between takes than on shipboard, we were able to complete only fourteen scenes per day at this locale. Last year, however, we tried out a Get th it in your color shots... INCIDENT LIGHT EXPOSURE METER kKeB. U.S. Pat. Off. Tens of thousands of owners of the Norwood Director are experiencing the thrill of making perfectly exposed color transparencies that really sparkle. Novice or expert can get perfect exposure every time with the Norwood Director. It is the most modern, the most accurate, the simplest exposure meter to use. i Director accomplishes this so simply only the Director uses the modern of exposure determination — the that integrates and measures all the light that falls upon the subject. Yes, : Director features the three-dimenPhotosphere* to achieve perfect expoblack-and-white, for color— still ormovie. 4 ^Va the amazln9 photosp^ and swivel head . • • Only $32.03 including tax, complete with leatherette covered, gold stamped, plush-lined steel carrying case, neck cord, instruction manual, ASA indexes, registration-guarantee card and calibration certificate. See it at your dealer's. Write for interesting illustrated booklet, "Correct Exposure Determination". A copy will be sent without obligation. AMERICAN BOLEX COMPANY, INC. 521 Fifth Avenue New York 17, N. Y. fS FILMS ■ * ;'■■•:■;% Thrilling Home Movies of all types. Send only One Dollar for Super Short Subject "EXCITING STARS". Order NOW from Dept. M.M. CXCITING FILMS ^1071 El Centro, Hollywood, Calif ,\ Check Size: 8mm □ 16mm D Sound □ , Send for qour m beating the drums with reai bargains in my latest edition . . . No. 257. Send for it today. President 171 W. MADISON ST. .CHICAGO 2. ILL.