AMATEUR MOVIES

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 66, 11 December 1930, Page 7

AMATEUR MOVIES

Colour Now Possible SUCCESSFUL PROCESS Growing steadily in popular favour is the Cine-Kodak, an instrument which can be managed now with the greatest ease by anyone with enterprise enough to direct it at a scene and depress a small lever. The camera doeg the rest. Underneath its smooth exterior and honest face lies a compact mechanism which is set in operation when the small lever at the side is pressed downward. A single straightforward adjustment is generally required—rarely two—and the resulting films when shown on the correct projector are up to the best standard of modern commercial film. Amateur photography has made remarkable strides in popularity during the last decade, and its extension to amateur cinematography. with certain marvellous developments, shows signs already of doing the same.

The latest of these developments in the field of amateur cinematography is the introduction of pictures in full colour. The company responsible for the well-known Cine-Kodak has perfected what they call Kodacolor, by which amazing results are possible. This was demonstrated yesterday at a private screening of some films taken recently by amateurs, which' have been handed in for development. Kodacolor, it is safe to say. is the most truthful colour-film process yet witnessed. It has a brightness and reality that is astounding. It is easy to talk enthusiastically of this new colour process, especially when its simplicity is' borne in mind. One would imagine, perhaps, that some _ complicated special mechanism is required, or at least some elaborate filters, with a limitation in the number .of opportunities for picture-making. This is not so, however. The colour pictures are taken on the same camera as ordinary black and white ones. The only addition is a small circular filter which fits over the lens and is attached in a second or two. The camera is then ready to record in full colour those subjects which appeal to the user. The film itself is shown back through a corresponding filter. attached just as simply to the projector. As far as the amateur cinematographer is concerned his colour photography is no more difficult than ordinary

on a Cine-Kodak, which in turn is no more difficult than ordinary •‘snap-shotting.” The subjects in yesterday’s films were of wide variety. Flowers and flowery gardens predominated, as might have been expected from amateurs who were looking for colourful subjects for their first colour films. The gardens and flowers were wonderfully portrayed, and the colours were remarkable. Among other sections of the films were beach scenes taken in broad sunshine. The blue of the ocean, the green of the distant hills, the bright costumes of the bathers, and the action and movement were as real as if the watcher himself were looking out over the sea. As a test for the colour, a group of people in fancy dress of all shades was most successful. Both in the distance and close up the definition was superb. By means of these new colour movie cameras striking records can be made of travels, sports, hobbies, and of children, friends and relatives —vivid and full of life and action. The greatest use, perhaps, to which they can be turned is the recording of the brightest moments on holiday outings and days of pleasureseeking. “It was a wonderful day," says the tripper when he reaches home tired at the end of an excursion. And now. by means of amateur movie cameras, there is no need for liis recollection to stop at that point. All the best pieces, all the brightest moments —they can be re-created time and time again, and enjoyed once more.