How the Camera is Tricked

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 94, 22 April 1933, Page 16

How the Camera is Tricked

Presentation of the unusual and fan-| tastic in motion pictures-has graduated from1 the mere "camera trick" to bocome what is known as effect photography, creating new ■ atmosphere for the screen, lowering aosts, and eliminating physical risks for actors, animals, and equipment, according to Mr. Eail Thcisen, chairman of the museum com: mittee, Society of Motion Picture Engineers, reports the "Christian Scienco Monitor." Effect photography is one of the three general classifications into which devices for the production of illusion in motion pictures can bo divided, says Mr. Theisen. Previously, camera "tricks" wore called upon for such stage mechanics. But now illusions are formed before tho camera, and not by it. Many different ■ steps may be necessary. In tho photographing of a recent picture seven dif- \ fcrent processes were necessary to com-; plete one single strip of film. A common process is. the ."glass shot." Some of it will be found in i nearly every motion picture. However, the expert glass artist will not lot that be known. As explained by Mr. Theisen, the "glass shot" employs a special typo of scenery, painted upon glass, designed. to blot out some features of a landscape while adding others.