Talking pictures : how they are made and how to appreciate them (1937)

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The Sets Are Made decides on his entrances and his exits. The cameraman plans where to plant his cameras and which lenses to use. The electrician computes finally the number and kinds of lights he will need for correct illumination. In working with this tiny model, hidden story mistakes, mistakes of movement, and other overlooked technical errors are discovered and corrected before they can cause costly delays. The assistant director, responsible for "background action" in big crowd scenes, can figure the movements of groups of people so that the human background behind the principals will always be plausible and logical. When each model has passed this sort of "third degree," the head draughtsman of the art department assigns men to draw completed plans for each set and for the detail sketches. These architect's plans are much the same as those prepared for a house, except that they are more detailed. They bring in a new element. They are all figured with an eye to the single lens of the camera. Attached to the plan will be from five to twelve detailed sheets of drawings. These will include details of cornices, special hardwood, doorknobs, call bells, office furniture, ship's fittings, or whatever may be necessary. The plans are prepared by excellent architects, for the increasingly vigilant observation of the theatregoer demands exact detail. Nothing short of perfection ever passes without a challenge from some among the 11,425,000 persons who attend picture performances each day in the United States.1 1 Figures supplied by the Association of Motion Picture Producers. [97]