Visual Education (Jan-Dec 1921)

52 Visual Education A MOTION PICTURE PROJECT (Concluded from page ig) We intend to make practical use of the knowledge we have acquired in this way. The purposes of taking up this course are as follows: 1. It gives an opportunity for practice in composition. 2. It develops a taste for good pictures. 3. It develops keen thinking. CONCLUSIONS The important question, of course, is whether this live weeks' work justified itself. Returning for a few moments to the aims of the project as stated at the outset, we may ask ourselves whether each of them was fulfilled. One — the last — was riot touched upon at all ; to the first and second we may answer yes, without doubt. As to the third, the time was too short to do more than make a very slight beginning; yet I feel that here, too, something definite was accomplished. As a sidelight on this question, let me quote from lists which the children handed in on the last day, in answer to questions as to the six best pictures they had ever seen. "The Little Shepherd of Kingdqm Come*' with two votes, "The Birth of a Nation/' "Hearts of the World," and "The Romance of Tarzan," with one each, led the lists which included "Treasure Island" (two), "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" (four), "Back to God's Country" (two), "Evangeline," "Freckles," "Huckleberry Finn," "Everywoman," "A Dog's Life," "Polly of the Circus," "The Fall of Babylon," "Tarzan of the Apes," "The Hun Within," "Peppy Polly," "Excuse My Dust," and "The Million Dollar Mystery." A very respectable list, all told, and one that would compare favorably with many an ad nit choice. It is especially worthy of notice that the serial, which is supposed to draw its support largely from the children of school age, is mentioned once, and then only as fifth choice. It is not safe, however, to generalize on this subject, as it must be remembered that the group from which tli is list was taken was very small. There is no question, I believe, as to the value of this kind of work. The motion picture furnishes a real incentive for live English work. As a source for narration, description, and exposition, it is unexcelled. The study of the picture for its own sake as well as a source of material, is also valuable. We learn to read by reading ; then may we not learn to know the motion picture by seeing it? Slowly but surely it is finding its place, as art, literature, and the drama have long ago found theirs ; without intelligent appreciation and criticism, its progress will continue to be slow. "Recognition of faults and incongruities is the first step towTard their elimination." The sooner we take the motion picture seriously in the schools, the sooner it will have a serious, purposeful part in our lives. Already it is a great influence ; it is for the schools to direct that influence, and, as it increases in the future, to develop its vast potentialities, not only as a cultural but as a moral force. TlffiX CAMERA PROJECTORS NEW AND USED BARGAINS ONLY Send For List or Information CAMERA EXCHANGE 26 W. Quincy Street Chicago, III. IF YOU SAW IT HERE, PLEASE SAT SO