Page 12 - pm_1953-12

Advattcecl IJ'orker
Models and Model-Making
•
by S. A. SHAW

The first part of
this article was repro-
duced in the October I
November issue of
this magazine, and,
we hope, ha.<~ proved
of inter est and assist-
ance to all cine en-
thusiasts. If you are
particularlv keen on
this branch of cine-
matography, and have
unfortunately not had
a copy of the first
instalment of this
FIG. 7 aTticle, kindly write
to the PUBLICITY DEPT., Pathescope Ltd., when the necessaTy inform-
ation will be foTwarded to you free of charge.

If the model is to be destroyed by fire during filming, it is suggested that
some modification be made in the roof construction to that given above. In
reality a roof usually falls in during a fire and it naturally follows that this
should be the aim in a film model fire. Some kinds of cardboard do not readily
burn, but simply smoulder, and it is suggested that the cardboard layer providing
the base for the roofing should be replaced by strips of real wood, about the
thickness of an ordinary match, to represent the rafters, fixed in position as in
Fig. 6. The tiled area should be neatly cut with a number of irregular shapes
so that as the "rafters" become alight the pieces of roof will fall in.
Whether the model fire is filmed in daylight or artificial (dependent upon the
script, of course) it is wise to employ at least two cameras for ihe job just in
case something goes wrong. If a third camera can be brought in so much the
better in order to get close-ups at the same time. The extra stock used is
certainly better than the time required to make another model ! A good liquid
for giving yellow flames is turpentine and it gives off a fairly dense smoke, and
both photograph well, with suitable powders obtained from firework manufact-
urers give short bursts of flame to add that touch of realism.
Fig. 7 shows a sketch of a model in which a mirror lake is embodied. The
mirror may be of any convenient size and an inexpensive one is better for the
purpose than the plate glass type because the slight unevenness of the cheaper
kind give the effect of water reflections. The exact placing of the mirror will
depend on requirements, and the surroundings of the model building built up
off the mirror. Focussing is done in the normal manner since the correct focus
point for the reflections in the mirror is the same as that for the subject itself.
When the model is complete it must have its clean and new appearance toned
down to represent the weathering of time; if the model is of an old building it
must appear old and dirty. Dirt around window sills, ledges and projections
too can be provided by applying a little household soot here and there with a
dry colour brush.
Page Twelve