FILM INSTITUTE

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 100, 30 April 1938, Page 11

FILM INSTITUTE

THE YEAR'S PROGRESS

About forty members of the Wellington Film Institute, including the Minister of Education (the Hon; P. Fraser) and Mrs. Fraser, were present at the recent annual meeting of the institute. The annual report noted that during the year the membership had increased by about 30 financial members, including the Minister and Director of Education. Meetings were notable for the consistent support of several ministers of the Government, including the Hon. P. Fraser, the Hon. W. E. Parry, and the Hon. W. Nash. The meetings were concerned mainly with the screening and discussion of sample educational films, and also documentary and social propagandist films. The rise of the standard of the entertainment film was noted with satisfaction. Information had been received from the London County Council, the i Empire Film Library, the United States Government, and other sources regarding instructional films. ' The following officers were elected: —Patron, Mr. J. Robertson, M.P.; president, Mr; W. A. Armour; vice-presi-dent, Father Lysaght; and Mrs. W. Bullock;, executive committee, Mesdames White, Dallar.d, and Chisholm, Messrs. J. Lomas, B. Malyon, J. Salmon, L. B. Quartermain, F. M. Earl, andJ. K. Edie; hon. secretary-treasurer, Mr. J. J. S. Comes.

A resolution by Mrs. Henderson that the executive should be asked to take steps in the direction of preventing young children under 16 years of age having entry to screenings of'-films marked A was referred*to the executive. "■ ■ •■•'■•"■ ■■■■■~

Someof the latest 16 m.m. sound educational" 'films ;by; "Electrical Researbh Products, Inc. (Western' Electric); were screened by favour of Technical Publications, Ltd. These included one entitled "Overcoming Obstacles to Learning," showing how the new sound films were smoothing the way to knowledge, and how they were actually used in classroom technique. Then followed sample films on biology and physics, followed by a sample of a promising new departure, namely, a teaching film at infant-school level, entitled "Bunny Babbiit." Tjhe screenings concluded With a delightful film on the symphony orchestra, showing the parts contributed jointly by two geniuses, author and conductor, to the music, with the placihgs and interpretations of the various orchestral instruments. The music had showed how far sound recording on 16 m.m. film has travelled towards perfection.. ;

A light supper concluded an enjoyable evening.