Movie Makers (Jun-Dec 1928)

CRITICAL FOCUSING The Racket Paramount Directed by Lewis Milestone Photographed by Tony Gaudio, A. S. C. Lighting: This film is a splendid example of the care given to the minutest detail of lighting. A sample of Technical Reviews to Aid the Amateur Lonesome Universal Directed by Paul Fejos Photographed by Gilbert Warrenton, A. S. C. Cinematic Idea: The theme of the story, the utter loneiness possible to an individual making his way in a great city without family or intimates, is one that can best be con this is in one night scene where the camera is panned and tilted up and down buildings from roof to basement, showing the members of a bootlegger's gang laying in wait in dark recesses and corners for members of a rival gang to pass by on the street below. The lighting of these characters is superb, it having been used sparingly, showing ugly faces, dim and just barely discernible, leaning over their rifles and revolvers as they peer down at the pavement. An air of mystery and suspense is secured through this lighting that greatly aids the dramatic effect. The lighting in the police station sets has also been carefully handled and no trick lighting is evident, which might destroy the reality of such a set. Cinematics: This word can be used all through a description of this picture. The camera has been used with intelligence and definite cinematic effects put in only where the use of them aids in getting over the story in a more telling manner. This is a warning to amateurs to use the camera as a means to an end and not as the end itself. One shot deserves mention. It is where an enormous closeup shows a back view of Nick Scarsi, the gangster, seated at a table with automatic leveled under the cloth. The camera Is placed near the floor and through the table legs is seen the victim of Scarsi's bullet as he drops dead over a table at the opposite side of the room. This scene could be shot in fifty different ways but the novel angle used, combined with the action, makes for a tremendous climactic effect. Tempo : Many short scenes are used to picture the reactions of the boy and the girl to the city about them. When they meet each other the tempo is accelerated and swift action is crammed into short scenes to aid in the expression of their joy in the escape from loneliness. This is an excellent example for the amateur of the most subtle usage of tempo. Economy: The simple central theme permits great economy of settings. The majority of the shots were exteriors and the interiors used were very simple. Amateurs filming a similar theme could further simplify the settings. The Red Dance Fox Directed by . . . Raoul Walsh Photographed by Charles Clarke & John Marta. A. S. C. Moving Camera: When the lead returning from the front enters the Czar's palace he is followed with a moving veyed by the medium of the motion picture. The single emotion, loneliness is emphasized throughout and it is brought home to the spectator by a cinematic study of a day in the life of each of the film's two characters. We see through their eyes the happy and carefree world from which they are excluded. This theme with its possible elasticity of treatment opens the way for the many cinematic subtleties of film and full freedom in the use of the camera. It suggests, for amateur ingenuity, a wide variety of similar cinematic studies based on a single emotional theme. For example, the amateur could film a study of joy in life, hatred or fear. The film could be built up of the ordinary incidents in life seen through the eyes of a central character who was preoccupied with a given emotional attitude. APPARATUS Methods of the Professionals Are Revealed In These Production Stills. Above, All the Wagon Isn't In the Finished Picture; Center, It Takes a Harness to Keep Some People in Front of the Camera; Right, Reflectors Everywhere. camera through the maze of court functionaries and court guests. This use of the moving camera follows the dramatic action without break, introduces movement and effectively brings in the atmosphere and background of the sequence without extra scenes to establish it. Dissolves: A series of scenes, rapidly dissolving from one to the other and featuring one or two individuals in the midst of a crowd, were used to tell the story of the extravagant and brilliant court life. 598