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'DOCUMENTARY'

by T. B. Sansom
THE amateur cine movement does not require to be so de-
falls mainly into two cata- tailed as for the story film and
gories, i.e.: it leaves plenty of scope for the
imagination at the time the stock
(a) That section which devotes
itself entirely to personal is being exposed. Its greatest
films and family records. asset lies in the fact that the
players are all around you and
(b) The more ambitious types with few exceptions they are
who make films for com- there when you want them and
petitions and general dis- without having to ask.
tribution.
There are endless possibilities,
Whilst (a) is for the most part even the changing climate can
shot "off the cuff" with possibly be filmed through the medium
a main and end title, (b) passes of the seasons of the year. What
through all the stages of plan- a thrill it is to set off on a
ning, scripting, editing, etc. bright spring day with camera
Both provide enjoyment for their on back, tripod in hand and
respective followers but surpri- sandwiches in the rucksack, all
sing though it may seem we are set for a day in the country to
not really interested in either capture the moods of Mother
of the above groups. In this Nature, but more about this
fascinating hobby there is bound later.
to be a certain amount of over- We are fortunate in the fact
lapping and it is in these people that Documentary Films in this
that we are mainly interested. country have reached a very
There are a great number of high standard and there are
amateurs who would genuinely plenty of fine examples of pro-
like to do something more than fessional films for us to learn
film "baby on the lawn" and yet from. Such films as the Trans-
as lone workers they do not feel port Commission's "The Heart
they have the facilities to sit is Highland", "There go the
down and plan a film demand- Boats" or that outstanding film
ing actors, props, lighting, "Drifters" are all examples of
special effects, etc. It is not what the lone worker can do
always possible to call on the providing he has the interest
family even presuming a family and the patience.
is available, which is not a lways When planning a Documentary
the case. the first essential is to get to
To those of you who want know your s ubject, whether it
something more than family be a town, process, another
snapshots and the annual holi- hobby, etc. All the scripting in
day film, but who do not care the world will not make up for
for all the preparation and a lack of knowledge of your
ramifications of the story film subject. It is both interesting
I would say "Turn to Docu- and stimulating to study the
mentary". history and activities of some
Whilst it would be misleading small towns or be instructed in
to say that the Documentary some manufacturing process or
Film does not require any plan- handicraft that you have not
ning, it is fair to say that it met before.
twenty-six