Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1952)

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158 JUNE 1952 WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE u WITH the addition of four more active amateurs to the League's board of directors, we shall bring to bear upon our activities a wealth of experience and ability represented by these men. . . . And we must impress upon movie makers everywhere the enormous stimulation that may be theirs from association with these men — and all others — who share their hobby." Thus, in part, spoke Joseph J. Harley, FACL, the League's President, in his report to the ACL membership at our annual meeting last month. He was referring, of course, to the four new directors added at that meeting to the League's board. Their individual achievements, awards and honors are recounted in detail elsewhere in this issue. But in the aggregate, the "wealth of experience" which they bring to the League's guidance and welfare is indeed impressive. Give or take a few figures, we add it up this way . . . In their careers as active and able amateurs, these four men have compiled a total experience of 67 years of filming. They have produced among them an uncountable number of complete and competent films. (One of them alone, for example, has produced more than 60 finished pictures in 22 years of amateur film making.) From among this unknown number of fine films have come at least 52 recognized award winners, on local, regional or international contest levels. And, added to these awards, this quartet of cameramen has coralled more than 20 non-competitive honors and citations. Latest (if not the least) of them are their elections as ACL directors. We believe that movie makers everywhere will feel a sense of stimulation in associating with these men in ACL membership. Here at headquarters we join with President Harley most heartily in welcoming them to the League's team. THE AMATEUR CINEMA LEAGUE, Inc. Founded in 1926 by Hiram Percy Maxim Joseph J. Harley, President Walter Bergmann, Treasurer Arthur H. Elliott Fred Evans John V. Hansen DIRECTORS Frank E. Gunnell, Vicepresident James W. Moore, Managing Director George Merz Stephen F. Voorhees Roy C. Wilcox The Amateur Cinema League, Inc., sole owner and publisher of MOVIE MAKERS, is an international organization of filmers. The League offers its members help in planning and making movies. It aids movie clubs and maintains for them a film exchange. It has various special services and publications for members. Your membership is invited. Six dollars a year. AMATEUR CINEMA LEAGUE. Inc.. 420 LEXINGTON AVE., NEW YORK 17. N. Y.. U. S. A. gourd containing chicha or aguardiente is tantamount to slapping your host in the face. It simply isn't done. So I always appear as anxious to drink with my redskin friends as they are to have me. But as soon as I sip what amounts to about a teaspoonful, I turn my head slightly to one side and expectorate. Protocol has been observed, everyone is happy — and you can keep your wits about you. Because sometimes during a fiesfa the Indians do not. Tvhile I was filming the sun god fiesta in the high Andes, most of the Quichuas became drunk and a quarrel broke out between them. Prior to the serious drinking, I had already placed myself on a friendly footing. So when the fight got under way, I neither interfered nor retreated from my station under a nearby tree, but went clamly on with my filming. The result, as it turned out, was quite thrilling. There were wild swings, bloody noses and some clean knock-outs. But no weapons were involved, since the Indians themselves had made a fast rule against bringing either machetes or firearms to the celebration. As a climax to the fighting I caught something on film that I never expected to see — and would not have believed without seeing it. Two of the contestants, the victor and the vanquished, embraced and actually kissed. It was a clear case of "kiss and make up." The most important dont in filming aborigines is don't pay any undue attention to their women. Most tribes are very touchy on this point ; and even though your interest may be only casual, it probably would be misinterpreted — with some element of danger to yourself. Thus, the greatest asset that you can have is to be accompanied either by your wife or a girl child. The very fact that you bring your own little girl or wife with you shows confidence, breaks the ice and enables your feminine contingent to get "next" to theirs. While their woman are taboo for you. they are wide open for your wife, and doubly so for your youngster. Mary, my Ecuadorian wife, often accompanies me on picture-taking expeditions. And more recently. Jarita Jacklin, my five year old daughter, has joined me on motion picture trips and story assignments. She makes herself right at home with the Indians and soon has them both figuratively and literally "eating out of her hand." In last July's issue of Sports Afield I had an article entitled Bodoquera, Long "Rifle" of the Jungle, which called for stills of Jivaro head hunters trailing and shooting game with the blow-gun and curare-tipped poisoned darts. Ja rita went into the selva with me, tramped the trails and rode the long, narrow dugout canoes. When the child tired, there was always a husky head hunter ready to tote her, piggy-back. She had the time of her life among these semi-naked but (with us) good natured savages. Jarita made such a hit with the Quichuas (Incans) that before we left they had taught her to dance their famous Cachullapi; also their women-folk presented her with a complete Quichua outfit of clothing. I have since filmed the child doing this dance, and next on her schedule is a Spanish la jota and then a fandango, both in high comb, lace mantilla and an appropriate 18th Century Spanish gown. . . . But this is getting away from Indians and how to film them. In short, then, be friendly and do not act superior. Pass out gifts such as candy for the youngsters, smokes for the men and needed medicine through the Chief or Brujo. Avoid their women and spend some time getting acquainted before attempting to take pictures. When you do, do it openly and honestly; but don't ask them to fake or pose for you. And if your best efforts fail, and the Indians flatly refuse to allow pictures, be smart. Get out of there, ya mismo, now!