"SHOOTING” NEW ZEALAND

Evening Star, Issue 22460, 3 October 1936, Page 13

"SHOOTING” NEW ZEALAND

EXPERIENCES OF A NEWSREEL CAMERAMAN FOX MOVIETONE VISITS DUNEDIN CABLE CARS ATTRACT ATTENTION. e The presence of a film cameraman in Dunedin lias attracted unusual attention, and no doubt many in the large crowds which have witnessed his activities have wondered whether he was another amateur film company representative or just an individual pursuing his hobby. He is neither. It is some time since an ; overseas cameraman has visited Dunedin, and Mr J. P. Stafford, representing Fox Movietone ‘ News, found plenty to interest him, he said, in this city. Although there was not much offering in the way of worthwhile news items, the Dominion simply teemed with novelties and interest. On a recent afternoon a local theatre manager (Mr D. H. Slyficld) and a ‘ Star ’ reporter accompanied Mr Stafford during some five hours of his work, and were introduced into the mysteries of newsreel filming, and witnessed some of the difficulties with which these men are confronted. EXPERT AT WORK Fortunately the afternooii was fine, one of the few complaints Mr Stafford having to find with the Dominion being that there is too much rain. Although filming can be done even in the worst weather, and also at night by aid of flares if necessary, naturally the film does not reproduce as well. However, this day was fine, and shortly after noon found Mr Stafford and his two “ assistants ” at the foot of Rattray street preparatory to shooting the first subject—the Rattray street cable ear. The equipment is taken round in a specially constructed sedan car, while fittings on the roof hold the camera in position. One by one the component parts were fastened into position on the roof, and a few minutes later, when a cable car came to a stop at the foot of Rattray street, the machine began to hum and the film travelled through. In a surprisingly short space of time a crowd collected, composed in the main of schoolboys, office boys, and elderly gentlemen. The bell on the tram rang and the car moved slowly up the line. It was amusing to notice how passengers crowded on the one side of the car, while some even straightened their hats, buttoned tip coats, and generally smartened themselves np. The tram passed the camera and moved on up Rattray street, while several small boys,_ making certain of a prominent position in the film, ran after the vehicle and made sundry distinctive acts, such as jumping on the car while in motion. The apparatus was then removed to the foot of Maclaggan street, where some more shots were taken of the cars so as to ensure continuity. r ; A quick lunch provided time for some interesting reminiscences, as well as details of the work Mr Stafford has already done in the Dominion. Beginning at Auckland some eight months ago. Fox Movietone News has steadily worked its way down ,to Dunedin, gathering a fund of interesting stories. TAME “ CAPTAIN COOKER.” Now Plymouth produced an item of unusual interest. A pig, a real Captain Cooker,' had been caught while young and taught to do some amusing tricks. It would beg, retire to its pen when told to, and perform numerous feats; but one unforeseen complication occurred when the pig was taught to jump. For some days afterwards the owner was kept busy settling with neighbours, into whose garden the pig had jumped and played havoc with choice garden plots. A memorial to Kingsford Smith and Dim on the New Plymouth aerodrome was of interest because of the fact that it was below the level of the ground. In" the motor car again, the next stopping place was the Roslyn car sheds, where a special cable car was waiting to take the camera a run over the line. “ Dunedin is a very interesting place,” said Mr Stafford. “ These cable cars are one of the most unique things I havo seen, and should certainly make a good "contribution to a Fox reel. The other day I was out ‘ shooting * the quadruplets, and it is wonderful the amount of interest attached to those children.” “A CRAZY CAR RIDE.” By that time the sheds had been reached, where a cable car, minus its back and front windows, was in readiness. The plant was assembled in the front cab and the journey to town commenced. It was noticed that this time a hand lever was used in recording the film, instead of the automatic system previously operated, and an inquiry was put forward. “ You may have noticed in some slapstick comedies, as well as news reels, that occasionally a part of the production is speeded up, generally with amusing results. When this picture comes out, the car will seem to be travelling at ridiculous speeds, and when, for instance, that man in front of us smiling and looking pleasant, goes to see himself—well, he will be lucky if he recognises the route.” According to Mr Stafford's account, the film would certainly justify the title suggested, ‘ All Aboard for a Crazy Car Ride.’ One of the things that amused Mr Stafford' very much was the fact that people did not mind paying threepence to go, up in the tram and only one penny to go down. Nowhere else where he had been was such a system in operation’/and lie could only put it down to “ a good old'Scottish custom.” The car wound its way down the line, and to all those people who had made a hurried dash for it the words “ special ” were voiced. As the handle was kept winding, and the film trailed through, a question elicited the information that approximately 1,000 feet of film were used on such stories, while only 150 ft appeared in the actual newsreel. The remaining 850 ft, cut out by men in the editorial departments, were recognised as legitimate waste. The bottom of the tram line being reached, the camera was shifted to the front cabin, and the return trip begun. However, on this journey only occasional shots were taken, and without any trick photography. LOCAL FILM PRODUCTION. “There is a definite opening for lilm-making in the Dominion,” said Mr Stafford, “and Dunedin lias practically everything in the way of scenic background, players, and material essentia] to modern film production. The only thing that the promoters would

have to import would ho competent technicians from Australia. 'The English and American men arc specialists in their own particular line, whereas those in Australia havo a general knowledge of all departments. The trouble with the film industry is that those engaged in film production regard it as nothing more or Jess than a plaything, whereas it is an industry just as important in its own line, and requiring just as expert attention, as, for instance, building a house. New Zealand has the talent, as has been evidenced by the success of several Dominion small-part players in Hollywood. It would be only a matter of taking time to find the talent. The industry should bo fostered, because there is nothing better for the tourist trade and for making this country more well known abroad.” NEW ZEALAND TRAVELOGUES. The cable car had now reached the sheds again, and back in the motor car, the conversation naturally drifted to New Zealand’s scenery. Was Mr Stafford taking any scenic shots of the Dominion, and what did ho think of the scenery as film material? wore questions asked. Scenery slowed up newsreels too much, was the answer, and the public certainly did not like that. A newsreel had either to be filled with news or snappy littlo interest items. The difficulty had been overcome by making special travelogue films, such as 1 The Magic Carpet.' series. The last travelogue to be made in the Dominion was one of big game fishing in the North Island, about tho time Zane Gray had been fishing hero. WAHINE GAINS PROMINENCE. One subject Mr Stafford had taken during his trip had gained special prominence. When the interisland express steamer Wahine rammed the Pipitea wharf, Mr Stafford had been present and secured several shots, but had not thought it of any special interest because of the fact that no substantial damage had been done nor had any of the passengers been injured, it was only a few weeks ago that he learnt that the shots had attracted special attention in America, because the Wahine had rammed the wharf at a very unusual angle. The American editor of the newsreels had included it in tho weekly New York edition, one of the highest honours that could be accorded a cameraman. News for this particular edition came from all over the world, and as there were seven or eight items included, they had to be of a very high standard. This was only tho fifth time that an Australian or Now Zealand storv had been included in these reels. The next item on the afternoon’s programme was a visit to tho Early Settler's Museum, where the first organ to arrive in New Zealand was to bo photographed, Sound recordings had already been made, and it only remained for the organ to he shot. Tho inevitable crowd appeared while the organ was being photographed outside the Museum, and one would thing that many Dunedinites had never realised the importance of the relic in their midst. However, the organ was soon shot, and over a cup of tea Mr Stafford related some more of his experiences. AUSTRALIAN EXPERIENCES, A newsreel cameraman’s work in Australia differed considerably from that in the Dominion. Whereas tho work in New Zealand comprised, in tho main, general interest items, in Australia news stories took up the greater part of the iime. “ A few years ago companies in Australia went in for yellow journalism, such as murders and divorces, but such items did not meet with a good reception from the Australian public, and were gradually dropped. A good riot is always welcome with film audiences in any part of the world.” An arousing incident occurred in connection with the De Gvoot incident at tho opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A newsreel company rushed through prints in time to have them shown at one of the largest of Sydney theatres the same evening. When the shot of De Groot cutting the tape was flashed on the screen a solitary person in the stalls began clapping and applauding in no uncertain manner. Ihe manager of the theatre concerned took the film off, switched on Ihe lights, and brought the police—to stop the “ riot. LEARNING THE TRADE. On the way back to the Roslyn cable car sheds to secure some more pictures, the talk drifted to employment in the film industry and how on© obtained a start. In every case, learners began in the laboratories. It was one of those few industries in which learners could not be apprenticed. After working in the laboratories, those who still desired to “ go on the road ” were transferred to camera staffs, beginning as assistants, and working_ their way up to either a sound engineer or a cameraman on a truck, while others wont in for dramatic work. Mr Stafford himself was engaged in dramatic work for some time, and was cameraman on several Australian films, one of which has been recognised as the best dramatic production to come out of that country. Among the large number of film stars lie has worked with are such stars as Errol Flynn and Helen Twelvetroes.

The worst job ho had ever boon assigned was when a specially big railway engine, built in New South Wales, was given a non-stop trial run of 150 miles. The only place from which the cameraman could obtain satisfactory pictures was from the front of the engine, and so a special platform was erected above the cow-catcher. The engine had gone only a few miles when an uncomfortable heat behind them announced that the front of the boilers was_ too hot, and the party were slowly having their coats singed. Through a few tunnels, and their faces wore black, and their clothes absolutely spoilt. The climax came when crossing the Bine Alountains. Breezing cold one side and roasted the other, the position of the cameramen was not to ho envied. At the Roslyn end of fhe cablo-car lino Air Stafford took shots of the mill girls crowding on -ihe car. and that concluded his activities for the day. Although many might, envy his work, lie claims that it all becomes a matter of routine and just like any other job. However, when one thinks of the interesting work in wliich Air Stafford is engaged, one might be pardoned for doubting his word. Ready for an emergency trip anywhere, when a story threatened to “break” in the North Island during the_ week he seriously contemplated rushing away by aeroplane to cover it, while tho recent train accident at Evansdalo found him present. It all goes to prove that a newsreel cameraman’s work belies tho old saying—“ n 0 nows is good news.”