Moving Picture Age (Jan-Dec 1922)

THE THIRD ANNUAL SESSION of the National Academy of Visual Instruction is now a thing of the past. Pullman stubs are in the wastebasket ; the desk has lost its telltale coating of dust ; the accusing expression of the formidable pile of unanswered letters is temporarily camouflaged. Before us for first consideration is the question propounded the night we left Lexington : "Well, what do you think has been accomplished? Has the Academy made any actual headway?" Let us reply specifically, and then substantiate our opinion in detail. The National Academy of Visual Instruction has proved beyond cavil that it constitutes an important item of the working equipment of those using and advocating visual instruction. The Academy has always possessed an unimpeachable foundation for invaluable service to those in its field; the personnel of the Academy, revealed in forward-looking action at the recent session, and the concrete plans put forward to assist those using visual aids — upon whose advocacy the Academy rank and file showed its mettle — have proved that this institution has passed -dead center and is now in motion toward several definite goals". For one reason or another, members who attended the session invariably seemed primed with the thought that all business accomplished must be clear cut' and constructive. This spirit was evident at the opening meeting, when one of the first discussions took up the matter of effecting certain steps that would improve the work of the user of visual aids. The second day of the session found other specific plans being brought up for action instead of the pretty generalities that mean nothing, and on the third and final day the business session was carried over into the afternoon just for the purpose of considering further urgent business on problems of the visual educators. One of the most notable accomplishments of the session, both for the interests of the Academy and those of the user of visual aids at large, was the action taken concerning the use of films in non-theatrical institutions (see a following editorial for details). The Academy, by taking steps toward the amelioration of this evil, has indicated beyond doubt that it functions for every phase of visual instruction, whether it be highly technical or elementary; and the public knows .hat the Academy is a champion of any person or institution whose rights in the use of visual aids have been infringed. An immediate result of that step has been the decision of the Citizens' Motion-Picture League to seek affiliation with the Academy if it continues such constructive work — a decision, by the way, that is a challenge to the best ability of the Academy and also an indication of the increased membership that should result from sound service. Other sections of the United States, suffering from the same type of oppression that instigated the formation of the aforementioned league, are ready to take whatever steps are necessary to protect their interests, and organization of local groups, with contemplated affiliation with the Academy for national expression, is an answer that is logical and truly beneficial to both parties. Another very practical step was the selec EDITORIALS tion of a committee of trained visual educators to prepare an outline of a model course in visual method. Each school term finds additional institutions introducing visual-method courses in their curricula, and with such authentic guidance these courses may be reasonably expected to be fundamentally sound in the eyes of the experienced visual educator. Copies of this outline are to be made available to members of the Academy, and we are frank to state that access to this valuable suggestive material is alone worth the expense of membership. The development of a group of model lantern slides, the property of the Academy and to be loaned to institutions as examples of quality in lantern slides, is a practical move toward serving the visual educator with fact as well as with theory. And then there is the film-review project, in which Academy committees are to review, classify, and comment upon industrial, educational, and recreational films, and compile a list of approved films for the guidance of Academy members. This latter plan will encourage producers who are bringing out truly authentic material, will show other producers what is acceptable according to Academy standards, and will weed the wheat from the chaff for the Academy member. These concrete instances of what the Academy accomplished at Lexington are sufficient to show that Academy members went to Kentucky on business, and accomplished that business to a degree most satisfactory to those who sought action on their own or another's difficulties. The problems presented were many, and several of them demanded prompt decision and action ; such as, for instance, the Kansas-Missouri trouble. The fact that the work was accomplished in spite of limited time and other handicaps is perhaps the pleasantest and most inspiring memory of the session. Probably about half way to the bottom of our overflowing mail basket — tucked in between an advertisement and contribution, perhaps — we expect to find a communication with this preamble : "What is your real opinion of the National Academy of Visual Instruction?" Time was (and not so long ago!) when we would have diplomatically discussed the great possibilities of the Academy and would have failed to state just what specific value membership would carry. But the Academy has sprung to its feet, rolled up its sleeves, and assailed the work before it with the enthusiasm that only a live-wire personnel could generate and direct ; and from this point on we shall find deepest pleasure in replying to queries with an emphatic statement that will ring familiar to members who were present at Lexington : "Join the Academy? Absolutely yes ! Membership in the Academy means this and that and the other definite assistance in your use of visual aids, assistance that is authentically available through no other channels. You cannot afford to forego membership in the Academy!" 4 WANTED: A NUMBER of film exchanges seriously in search of permanent non-theatrical customers." Perhaps the implied thought that some exchanges are neglecting their opportunities will cause a skeptical smile, for the year 1922 does not find business flowing in with the abundance and regularity noted in prewar days. But let us discuss in all seriousness a seemingly minor problem that yet occasions actual loss of customers to some exchanges and hampers and discourages the efforts of every user of non-theatrical motion pictures. The problem is this : Rev. Jones states, when inquiry is made regarding his Sundaynight and midweek showings of films, that I am annoyed by the fear of, and too frequently put to considerable trouble by the presence of, morally objectionable scenes in the films I rent. I do not expect the picture to be always in perfect accord with the tenets of my particular denomination, and am glad to assume responsibility for cutting the film when the material is inappropriate on this score. But I fail to understand why I should find upon my shoulders the task of cutting such matter as vulgar dancing or suggestive exposures of person or subtitles containing epithets, when I had rented that film from a non-theatrical exchange, or the non-theatrical department of a theatrical exchange, with the distinct understanding that it was to be screened in my church auditorium on Sunday night. Or Superintendent of Schools Johnson, who uses classroom films and also conducts occasional recreational film exhibitions, asserts : I have become almost reconciled to the unpedagogical character of material found in most of the educational films we rent, and feel compelled to be charitable because I know that educators have not stated their film requirements so specifically that the producer has authentic educational groundwork for his product. But as regards recreational films, which we sometimes use in entertainments to raise funds for special school activities, I am practically convinced that the average concern distributing non-theatrical films never edits its pictures with regard to the special and absolutely essential inhibitions of non-theatrical exhibitions, but puts used theatrical pictures on the list for nontheatrical distribution without detailed examination and necessary cutting. Can we not effect improvement on this score . without finding it necessary to refuse to deal with these concerns? And in the same mail comes a letter from Mr. Smith, who, aside from operating a very successful flour mill in his little rural town, has financed and is conducting community film showings in the local town hall. I'm still crabbed over last night's experience. Feature film arrived late, but I felt it imperative to preview the picture, so started to screen it at 6 p. m. Had to cut eleven different sections, not including several doubtful sections on which I dared not spend time lest I lose the entire audience. Program began one and a half hours late, and I went without dinner; but I tremble to think of the fate of our community enterprise