The Washington times., 1921-04-16
Marshall Meilan Uses a BHn1p
From Which to Take His Shots

The use of a dirgible balloon or
''blimp," introduced by Marshall Nei-
Ian recently in connection with the
Photographic reproduction OF exterior
scenes for motion picture productions
has created a considerable degree OF
interest among motion picture pro-
ducing agencies.
The results of Mr.. Neilan's expert
ments with the pony blimp," owned
by his producing unit, will be made
apparent to the picture-loving public
for the first time in his remarkable
screen version of Randall Parrish's
novel of frontier days, Bob Hamp-
ton of Placer" TO be seen at Crandalfs
Metropolitan and Knickerbocker thea
ters, beginning tomorrow.
Mr.. Neilan is the first producer to
use an airship in taking scenes OF
action on the ground. from the sky, in
connection with the filming of a
photoplay. The seroplane has been
used in this way, but has been found
wanting where continuous action
"shots" by the camera men above,
were required.
An aeroplane travelling at it's low
est speed moves much too rapidly to
take in the detail OF any action at a
given point The "blimp" on the other
hand, can be made to fly as slow rs
one mile an hour and can be anchor
ed to the ground so that IL is station
ary, taking the place of the camera
platform.
In speaking of his experiment with
the "blimp," Mr.. Neilan said: I'VE
believe the dirigible has opened an
avenue for new accomplishments in
motion picture production. In fact,
when the results we have obtained
for Bob Hampton of Placer" are seen
generally, 1t is quite certain the blimp
will become common accessory
among directors.
"In Montana and Arizona recently,
we staged a number of spectacular
scenes in which nearly 5000 persons
took part. The action of these scenes
| covered some six square miles. In a
number of cases, mountain regions
that are practically inaccessible were
used. Natural obstacles of every de-
scription were encountered. The
| blimp made 1t simple matter to
photograph these scenes from any
angle.
Twice the ship came down to a
distance of thirty feet over the heads
| of the players, In this way getting
close-ups of many remarkable scenes
'In the production OF the large bat
| Tie scenes between the lnQlans dnu
| the soldiers and the reproduction OF
Clusters Last stand which plays a
big part in the story, a semaphore eX-
pert was sent up with the caeramen
and another signalman was station
ed at my side. My instructions were
thus signaled to the man in the ship
who translated his messages to the
| cameramen.
after the necessary scenes were
photographed one OF my assistants
boarded the dlrigible with a camera
man under instructions to pick out
| the best shots at will. The blimp
moved over the big battle area, re-
naming stationery at points where
| the best views were available, rising
and descending to get different angles
and effects.
"In short, the blimp takes the place
of a movable camera platform travel.
| ing In the air at will and saving many
hours of construction work in build
| ing camera stands on natural heights
where travel is difficult and in the
erection OF gigantic platforms on level
| ground such as are necessary In
| picturing these scenes.
Another important item Ia connec.
tion with the use of the air-ship was
its ,adaptability in providing the
means for getting the NOR. artistic
| effects. A survey from the blimp i'm
mediately disclosed the most beaut-