Projection engineering (Jan-Dec 1931)

E d i to i a llllltnilllllllll IIIIIIIIIIIIIINIIIII Illllllllllllll llllllll!] IIHIIIllllllllll Illlllllllllllll!ll!llllll:l!!lilllllllilllllllllllllllllllllllllllll!llllllllllllllllll!llllllllllllllll!!ll Hill lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll! I mill III! II Illllllllllllllllllllllll nillllllllllllllllllllll SEPTEMBER, 193 A SURVEY stated recently WHAT PER CENT ^ t0 have been conducted DIALOGUE? among "more than one hun dred" exhibitors, is reported to have shown that approximately 25 per cent, dialogue is "the right amount." The question submitted was: "What do you consider the proper amount of dialogue for the general run of pictures?" The exhibitors interrogated are reported to have indicated varying quantities from 20 per cent, and "no more than the footage previously used for titles," to 7S per cent, "in certain cases, depending upon the picture," with the average working out as 30 per cent. The exhibitors queried as to whether their patrons would welcome "a return to all silents," all replied "no," "doubtful," or gave similar negative replies. It is interesting to learn that numerous exhibitors recommended that better utilization of musical background should be employed in film productions. From our understanding of the situation the percentage reported appears quite low. Of course, it is to be recognized that there is a difference between per cent, of pictures with sound, and per cent, of dialogue per picture. It may be that if the questionnaire were sent to as many as 1000 managers located in representative districts that the percentage of dialogue would be nearer 50 than 30. Y ARIOUS well organSOUND AND ized surveys have been PICTURE carried on with the object PROJECTION of learning whether advan IN EDUCATION tages may not be gained in public and high school instruction by employing the facilities of sound and light projection. It was necessary only for parents to note from time to time the voluminous pronouncements emanating from church organizations to the effect that the modern "movie" is a powerful influence for good or for evil. Whether in any picturization the influence is good or evil, it is realized that the movies are attention compelling and effective in transfer ring ideas and knowledge from one person to another. To utilize to the full these ready facilities for formal instruction in schools it will be necessary to enlist the interest of educators and Boards of Education. Also, some agency outside of present educational direction will have to work out a new technique of instruction which will provide more useful and less expensive methods of instruction than those now in use. The present widespread dissatisfaction of educators themselves, and the swelling tide of criticism by the public, in regard to the present product of American educational institutions, presents a situation which is a real opportunity for a revolution in instructional methods and in educational material. Another element, and one which is likely to apply expedition to present surveys, is that the growing cost of education per year per pupil has in recent years added burdens to taxpayers which quickly will have to be lightened. It is here that modern equipment, a new technique of education, and a revision of ideas as to what constitutes useful education, enter for serious consideration. If those who are giving thought to this subject, in a promotional way, recognize that the thing they have to sell is more useful education, more thoroughly taught, and at lowered costs, they will succeed in a period of time perhaps directly proportional to the completeness with which these three requirements are met in what they propose. It will not do to try to sell to present school officials something to be added to present facilities. This would no doubt suit these officials best, but would defeat the requirement of lower costs. The system that can be sold to the people is one that will replace much of the antiquated, bureaucratic organization now in control, a system that will relieve taxpayers of excessive costs and one that will make possible a school product better equipped for respectable, gainful employ ment. onJck^WHlic crL Editor