Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1949)

252 ALL GOOD CAMERAS GOT WINGS Where to sit, what to shoot and how to film it, when your movies take to the air WALTER F. CHAPPELLE, JR., ACL PERHAPS nothing made by man is so thrilling, fascinating or graceful as his airplanes. Movies of your flying experiences will also be thrilling and fascinating. There can hardly be a more graceful action than a plane soaring into the air or dropping lightly on a runway, to taxi up to the terminal in a broad sweeping curve. And here too you can make the most of sound accompaniment, for the best effect records are in the aircraft category. Best of all, the airlines are now so cooperative that you will find it easy to make the most of any opportunity for filming in flight. ARRANGE IN ADVANCE Prior arrangements are worth while. Let the airline know you want to take pictures when you buy your ticket; they will do their best to see that you get a window seat. Also ask whom to see when you get to the airport. To make sure arrangements have been completed, you might check with that person by phone the day before flight to make sure that there has not been a slip. Early arrival at the airport will make your arrangements go more smoothly. On the day of departure, try to check in before the crowd arrives. For, if you have to stand in line and tell the ticket agent that you are the one who wants to be next to a window to take pictures, everyone else in earshot will ask for the same. They won't have cameras either. For such occasions, one movie maker carries a plainly written note mentioning prior arrangements, which he slips through the window with his tickets. It saves embarrassment all around. Check as much luggage as possible so as to be free to handle your camera. Do not check any photo equipment, since it may be put into a separate compartment where it cannot be reached in flight. Keep your cameras handy in rain or shine. Those clouds making the rain downstairs may be spectacularly beautiful from topside. And even in the rain you can make pictures as long as there is enough light. PLANNING YOUR PICTURE Be sure to plan, at least mentally, what you are going to take before making the trip. Is it a short flying sequence to introduce the body of the film taken at some distant locality? Or is the entire picture to be of the flight itself? If it is the latter, you will want more detailed sequences of the plane being serviced, loaded and made ready for flight. The main body of the picture will then be concerned with pictures taken in the air. Finally, some shots of the plane landing, and of you walking toward the terminal to be greeted by friends, will make a smooth ending. In any case, there is so much of interest around an airport that without prior planning you are bound to waste film. It is probably best not to make any pictures at the home airport on the day you take off. These sequences are better made during a later visit to the airport when the weather is right and you can work at your leisure. THE BEST SEATS When making the trip, concentrate on boarding the plane. It will be easier for airline personnel if you are first in line and on the plane. They then can steer you to a desired seat without jumping you over another customer. A seat in the back of the cabin will allow you to shoot from behind the wing, while from the front seat or two in many planes you will have the motors in the foreground. Ask for a seat on the shady side of the plane so that the effects of dirt and scratches on the window glass will be minimized by the diffused light. However, if your most interesting subject matter should be on the sunny side, go ahead and use that side. CAMERA HANDLING The camera should be held as close to the glass as possible without touching it and in such a way as to dampen vibration from the motors. Neither the camera nor your arms should be in contact with any part of the NC 94231 AMERICAN AMERICA * » m i AIRPORT DETAIL, left, is best filmed at your leisure rather than before your own trip. The clouds, below, are beautiful above the rain.