ENTERING FILM WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 236, 5 October 1935, Page 5 (Supplement)

ENTERING FILM WORLD.

SPLENDID HANDBOOK ISSUED.

Every film editor and studio journalist, not to mention picture managers and studio executives, receives a large percentage of his daily mail in the form of requests for help or advice in “getting into films.” Most screen-struck people are convinced that they will be the Garbos and the Colmans of the future, but many fancy themselves as directors, scenario writers, cameramen, script girls, designers, publicity interviewers, etc. The never-ending flood of correspondence written on this subject is the reason for publication of Mr. E. G. Cousins’ splendid little handbook on “How to Enter the Film World” (Allen and Unwin). Mr. Cousins, himself a film journalist of many years’ experience at Elstree, in the main discourages attempts to become rich or famous per medium of the screen. “Remember,” he writes, “the film world does not want you; there are hundreds, even thousands, like you. The opportunities exist, but they are as rare as Koh-i-noors.”

He outlines the difficulties to be encountered, even in becoming an extra, who might average a dozen days of work in a year. To those Who still feel that they are the ones in which the studios stand in need, he gives excellent advice as to the manner of securing employment. He advises those foolhardy ones to know just what they want to know their limitations and to be able to convince the managing director that, given an unimportant post for apprenticeship, their talent may be in evidence in certain directions. In all the book is most helpful to applicants and harassed journalists alike.