Page 5 - pm_1953-12

Can You Identify ?

(A I~"amily Film with a Diliet•enee)
'.,
by II'. H. Coombes
Now that the darker evenings are wards camera, etc.), the second part
approaching, our thoughts will be is composed of about 20-30 frames
turning towards the projector, and of the "Special Feature", followed by
the showing of the films we have the person revealing his/ her identity.
taken this summer. What films have
you shot? All the first parts are now spliced
together and wound on one reel; then
No doubt the majority are family the same is done with the second
or holiday records, which will go parts, in the same sequence.
through the projector at every family
gathering or party, but what about The idea of the 20-30 frames of
making a film that all can join in ?
the "Special Feature" is to give the
audience a clue to the person's
The theme of the film is a kind of identity.
parlour game, which at the same time
will give the camera-man plenty of
scope for practice work. We are now all set for our parlour
game, so the audience is given a
pencil and paper and asked to identi-
The film can be of the personal,
local, or general type. · fy each member of the family from
the clue (Special Feature) shown.
Taking the personal type first : the
camera-man makes a list of relations After Reel I has been shown, the
and near friends, and beside each party can check their answers as Reel
name he makes a note of any special 2 is projected. It is surprising how
physical feature, such as :-"Jim"- little we really notice of our own
big feet, "Gwen"-"urchin cut" hair family features.
style, etc. He then sets about film-
ing these features at his leisure. The "Local" film can follow a sim-
ilar trend, but this will include well-
As an example :-A pair of big known buildings, streets, shops, and
feet are shown approaching the other familiar daily scenes, but most
camera, one shoe lace is undone, of these will be shot from unusual
when "Jim" is close to the camera, he angles, and Reel 2 will show them as
stops, stoops down to tie up the lace, they are normally seen.
thus revealing his identity. When
the other shots have all been taken, The "General" film offers unlimited
each one is cut as an individual scope, ranging from a half-penny
sequence. stamp to an express train. A film of
this type keeps our friends on their
These shots are then cut again, so toes all the time, and it gives the
that the first part is composed of the camera-man plenty of scope to ex-
special feature (big feet walking to- periment.

Page Five