Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-09-08
AMATEUR FILM. MAKING

A MATEUR theatrical clubs, theatre
\ guilds and the like have done much
to make the modern drama the great
art that It is. But because of the
overwhelming expense heretofore at
tached to the making of motion pictures,
there have been no attempts at any
similar activities in the films. The
motion pictures have never had the ad
vantage of the experiments of amateur
societies
Today. however, the making of mo-
tion pictures BY amateurs is n distinct
possibility, The possibilities Of making
motion pCture ut comparatively little
expense We're first drawn to public at
tention five years ago. when two young
men, both of whom have become we'll
known directors, made a salable photo
play in their own back yard.
These boys had many theories about
what a motion picture should and
should not be. but they could never find
a company willing to give their theories
n trial. Finally they hit upon the
original expedient Of buying their own
camera aud making a picture in which
nearly all the actors were children and
which. therefore, cost very little money
Nearly all the scenes were exteriors, so
that practically no scenery was re-
Huired.
The picture was most original and in
spite Of their technical shortcomings
/ they found n fairly profitable sale.
Amateur theatricals on the speaking
stage have proved n stepping stone to
success for some prominent motion pic
ture stars Of today. They have aroused
tho Imagination, stimulated the enthusi-
asm and increased the desire Of these
amateurs to learn and to do better. And
! they have frequently revealed, If not
actually developed, real talent.
/ THE Talmadges. as children, used to
l. get up shows of their own and stage
| them in the cellar or garret of their
! Brooklyn home Norma always wrote
| and directed these plays and usually
placed herself in the leading role. Con-
stance was always given an important
part and sometimes the lead by her big
sister.
But Connie was usually at her best
in trapeze work or turning Somersaults
and was quite content TO leave the
! heavier dramatic roles TO Norma,
Natalie also acted in these productions
but she generally preferred to coniinC
her activities to collecting the admis
sion fees, which ranged from a specified
| HuHlbSi VI Ililp W ~ -
of candy. Ma" Talmadge was quite
frequently the entire audience and sh'
always encouraged the girls in thi
pleasurable work"
Charlie Ray, as n boy. used to ge
up circus or wild West show ant
stage 1t in his fathers barn. He al
ways called these performances "Th'
Greatest Show on Earth"
Katherine Macdonald Anita Stewar
and Miriam Cooper were prominent II
school and home talent shows. Scores
of others have found a place in tn
motion picture world, either drectl!
or indirectly as the result of the dis
covery of their ability in entertain
ments of the non professional variety
1t is only recently. however, that tn
possibilities of amateur motion pictur
making have been appreciated.
II you desire to write, direct or &C
in the pictures, you can have no bette
, experience than trying to make pic
ture of your own, even, If at first, yol
> are not very successful.
(These "TdblOid Talks" are con-
densed from the material for a book
by Mr.. Emerson and Miss Loos to be
pu bIished bp the Jones A. MoCann
Company, New York;