Page 6 - pm_1952_02

MAKING A SHORT COMEDY

By GERA LD M. McKEE

Many Pathescope motocamera owners, having exhausted the possibilities of
filming family activities, will want to try a new branch of movie making. How
about making a short comedy ? There are numerous possibilities for a comedy
and with a little imagination one should be able to make an amusing film.
Firstly evolve a simple plot that can be told economically in about I 00 feet
of film (four charger loads will be ample for this, with some to spare for wasted
shots). Suitable stories for your four minute production could be a domestic
plot of troubles while gardening or spring cleaning, or a trick film, with the
acquisition of a "magic wand" by your little boy allowing the introduction of a
few trick effects for the children's pleasure. When your story is decided, write
a short script, it need not be detailed, but will enable you to decide the best
order in which to film and how much film to allow each scene. Discuss the story
with your family and friends and enlist suitable actors from among them, but do
not have too many characters, for being both cameraman and director you will
find it awkward directing too many people.
While shooting take care not to pan the camera, break the sequences into
separate shots rather than follow the actors. Keep the shots long · enough to
follow the action in each scene, but do not over-run when characters have left
the frame or you will be wasting film.
When shooting is finished and the anxiously awaited results are processed,
you can project the 30 foot lengths and note the whereabouts of each shot. Cut
the shots out and collect into their sequences, using a good splicer (a Pathe de
luxe splicer P.284 is ideal for this work). Handle the film with care, holding it
only by the edges, as editing involves handling the film a lot and will result in
scratches and greasy marks if carelessly done,-some wise film editors wear
cotton gloves when working. Cut out all fogged film, and if essential scenes
are involved re-shoot them, as fogged scenes will only mar your finished film and
give it an amateurish appearance. When the scenes are in the final order,
project the film and you will find that trimming away beginnings and ends of
scenes containing jerky starts by actors, and over-running while shooting, will
considerably enhance the tempo. This final editing is a slow operation and only
a little can be removed at a time, however, you will find editing great fun and
as enjoyable as the actual filming. The final editing can be left as a fascinating
winter evening occupation. When the film is completed, photograph the titles
required-you will need a main title and perhaps a brief credit for actors and
director, but keep dialogue and continuity titles to a minimum. If you do not
possess a titler, have the titles made by Pathescope's excellent service. Splice
the titles in and add two or three feet of blank leader for threading the pro-
jector, and then you can announce the premiere to your friends.
Finally, remember not to overdo the trick effects of stop motion (stopping
camera and removing objects, then restarting) or reverse motion (filming with
camera upside down, reversing film in editing). If used by surprise these tricks
are effective and will raise a good laugh. :Look at some of the short comedies
in the Pathescope library; many of the silent comedies are admirable examples
of slick comic gags put over with economy of ·footage.
Page Six