Page 12 - pm_1952_01

, Your Labo•·ato•·y Manager says:-
Handling a theme and preparing a short useful shooting script does appear
to present considerable difficulty to the average cine enthusiast who attempts
a competition film. I always advise beginners to avoid the dramatic type of
production, which however, can be attempted when sufficient experience is
obtained with short comedies or documentary cameos. These require minimum
decor, acting ability, etc. and are ideal for formulating clear cut ideas of camera
work without worry. During the winter months with its unreliable c:imatic con-
ditions interior work with "floods" and
VF stock should be the setting for your
camera. Documentary cameos are virtually
family films-and are not easy for a beginner
to produce at competition standard. Unless
handled with dexterous care the family film
will only have value for - the family.
Thus comedy is the target - a theme with
minimum "props" - something simple. For
example - a young ·man is proposing to a
young woman - young woman's small brother
is the stumbling block and young man resorts to bribing to remove him -topical
remark by small brother which staggers young man - Fade Out.
This is a poor, not very humorous theme, but it is the approach and treatment
of a story which I propose to discuss. Theme must be left to the individual.
Bearing in mind the finished result, and tha is our aim to screen, we analyse
the plot into a certain number of segments or episodes, the division must in no
way interfere with the flow of the story, and the audience, on screening, must
definitely not be aware of this breaking down into sections. This analysis should
be based on the estimated audience reaction. Remember the audience must
understand the finished result in entirety,
so clear introduction is essential - they
must quickly understand what is taking
place, and from that understanding will
dawn a comprehension of the mood of
the film. So our simple story must be
slowly built up - proposal, interruption
of proposal and response.
The audience reaction analysis gives
us four sequences, and under each
sequence on our story script we add the
extra points that add to the mood :-
(2)
\INTRODUCTION AND CLARIFICATION OF THEME
Young man proposes to young woman. As the obvious kneeling proposal
was left in the Victorian era-an engagement ring would tie up any doubts in the
minds of the audience. Young woman looks a trifle coy.
INTERRUPTION OF ORIGINAL THEME
Young brother appears carrying book- Y.M. shows annoyance- Y.W. Iooks
extremely annoyed - Y.B. is unperturbed, proceeds to read "Financial Times".
REACTION TO INTERRUPTION
Y.M. hands Y.B. a coin-Y.B. looks interested-Y.W. looks apprehensive-
Y.M.Iooks triumphant.
Page Twelve