The Washington times., 1916-02-18
Location Director Also Has
Trusty Little Card Index As
Chief Assistant.
LISTS PALACE AND AovEL
Some Landlords Enjoy. Having
Homes In Photoplays, While
Others Drive Squad Away.

who finds the scenery for the mo
tion picturesi
The inquiry has been made several
times recently. has been inspired.
probably. by q number Of big scenic
productions that have been seen here
In the film theaters. Whatever
caused Il, Il touched upon very I'M
portant part OF the work Of q motion
picture producing plant that IL little
understood or appreciated.
The business Of securing 'loca-
tions." as they are called. is one OF
difficulty.
The location director OF q big pro-
ducing plant must be diplomat
and an artist at the same time. He
must be able to coax, persuade, or
negotiate with the owner Of the site
wanted, for use OF his home or store
or hotel or park. or whatever II IL.
He must be able to recognize an ar
tistic setting when he sees II. And
he must be able to know, from the
vagne outlines a temperamental di-
rector gives him. just what that in
dividuai wants for the picture.
And even then the location direc-
tor cannot be sure that his work viii
produce results. william NJ. Henry.
In a recent magazine article on the
subject, pays n very high tribute to
the energetic young men who hunt
locations. But. he declares. some
times the director OF n picture will
mot take the location directors word
for II.
I'm the old days. when system was
something unheard OF In the movies"
Mr.. Henry states, the director him.
self climbed into the back seat OF q
hig touring car, ordered the driver to
Just drive around a little bit,' and
spent sometimes several days look
ing for single location.
But the system which apparently
has them all beaten n one used In
the Lasky studios In Los Angeles
and originated by. Captain Ford.
WHO holds the title OF efficiency
director
,"Ford has q copyrighted card index
system in which he has listed every
location Of any nature within days
run OF Los Angeles.
Houses are indexed and cross
indexed and corresponding to each
card, with its description OF the
location. is O photograph which gives
the dinerent views Of the place.
Houses are divided into million
aire. middle class, ETC.. and ac-
cording to the style of architecture
the millionaires' homes are divided
Into classes such as neuveau richie,
old family. English. etc.
AT the Universal and several
other companies they have a 'ioca-
fiOn diFANfnF VVhAVa khara a~a. alw-
teen companies wanting different
kinds Of locations and wanting them
quickly 4 IL no small job to keep
them satisfied.
'.At the Selig and the Mutual the
directors. all Of whom are veterans
and quito familiar with the country
around Los Angeles, do their own
tors also make their own arrange
ynents for the use OF the location.
At the Selig the company manager
does the business end of II.
I'm a little secluded spot between
Hollywood and Glendale in the sub
urbs of Los Angeles Is a settlement
founded forty years ago and built
up exactly like an Eastern country
town.
"It 10 absolutely deserted now ex-
cept for one old lady and she is
getting rich renting the dilapidated
store and houses 70 moving, picture
you have to speak for the place a
week ahead of time to get It.
THE old Alden Pesse. a sailing
vessel of unsavory reputation, Is
the veteran location OF them all.
Condemned and sold by the Gov
By % a San 'H Pedro % e"mpany S yor and q 'fns has
been used by every moving picture
company known" @, NJ