CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2714, 20 January 1910, Page 6

CINEMATOGRAPH FILMS.

HOW PICTURES ARE OBTAINED. In a conversation with M-r. Franklyn Barrett, who is representing Pa.the Freres in New Zealand, a. mbnißOr of the staff of the “Christchurch Press” obtained some interesting information. There are in connection with the head establishment of " Patlie Freres in Paris thirty-one collecting branches, which have been established' in those parts of the world where tipecial scenic or nature pictures are available. Before ’locating an Australasian branch, a pioneer expedition was sent out via the Phillippine Islands, New Guinea, etc., and on to Sydney, taking cine- , xnatograph pictures' of all likely scenic bits en route.- T his was in charge of.M. Sutbro, new head of the Australa-i sian branch, in whose sphere of opera- j tions the islands are included. A number of Australian pictures were secured, and then AI. Suttfo returned to Paris to report progress: 1 On his report the Australasian branch was 'established. This will give an idea of the system on which different countries are covered for cinematograph purposes. The managers of the different branches arrange for their operators to proceed to certain portions of the country, in which they are to procure pictures at the season which is best suited for tlie work. The selection of the exact subject is left to the discretion of the operator, tho only condition being that they must be scenic or reproductions of nativo costumes, dances, etc. The operators for the firm are, therefore, scattered all over the world, their exact location being known at the head office at Paris. In case of any great outbreak or calamity, such as a terrible earthquake happening anywhere in the world, the operator nearest the scone of action has to make his way there as speedily as possible, on receipt of cable instructions, even going as far a s to hire a special steamer, if necessary.

With reference to the Australasian branch, any films taken, say, in New Zealand, which can reach Atelbourne within two weeks' of the time of being taken, are sent there for development, test slips of eacli being kept by fhe operator. If the operator is more than two weeks’ distant from headquarters, he uses his own developing plant. The negatives, after being passed by the Atelbourne manager, are forwarded to Paris at the-earliest opportunity. On arriving in Paris another examination is made by M. Charles Patlie, head of the firm, who finally decides what portion shall be used, and in what manner the pictures shall he compassed for exhibition. After passing AI. Charles Patlie, the negatives again go into the hands of an examiner, who gives instructions as to the finishing processes. The employees' of the firm number 6000, of whom 3000 are located in Paris, where there is really a Patlie village. Suggestions for subjects of pictures arp invited and numbers of dramatists and other sketches and playlets which are afterwards enacted by specially selected actors and actresses, either indoors in the immense glass theatre of the firm or outside at some spot selected so a.s to be in accord with the story. “The cinematograph,” said Air. Barrett, “besides remaining one of the most popular sources of entertainment, will, in my opinion, find its greatest utility in tho future in assisting science. A series of films showing the microbe of sleeping sickness greatlv •magnified have been secured, and films of some of the microbes in the blood. These are now on tlieir way to Atelbourne, to the chairman of the Public Board of Health. Then the cinematograph has a great mission in the direction of education, and I look forward to seeing every school equipped with an apparatus, because it is possible to teach many children by means of cinematography more than any other way. <ln surgery, too, we have taken a number of pictures showing tlie methods of different operations, which are highly educative to students of surgery.