FILM BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26778, 22 May 1948, Page 8

FILM BOARD

DIRECTION OF POLICY DOMINION PRODUCTIONS RECOMMENDATION TO INQUIRY COMMITTEE P.A. WELLINGTON, May 21. The establishment of a national film board, which would be policy-making on all questions of film production controlled by the Government, was recommended by the New Zealand Film Institute in evidence submitted to the Parliamentary Committee inquiring into the motion picture industry. The institute also considered that the censor’s recommendations should be enforced by law, and if, for instance, the censor recommended a film as suitable for adult audiences only, this should be complied with. The institute suggested that the proposed national film board should have on it the producer of the National Film Unit, one representative each from the Education Department, the Treasury, the Prime Minister’s Department, the National Council for Adult Education, and the Film Institute, as well as two members of the general public.

Mr P. C. P. McGavin appeared as counsel for the institute, and evidence on its behalf was given by Hilton Power. He stated that the institute was the central co-ordination body representing 25 film societies of New ' Zealand, 19 of which were affiliated to it ; These societies were non-profit-making, and .consisted of members, now some 3000 in number, who were interested in the social, cultural, and educational aspects of the cinema, and whose aim was to secure that the best films produced anywhere were seen in New Zealand. Films for Children The need for more films suitable for children being made available was stressed by Walter James Scott, lecturer in English at the Wellington Teachers’ Training College. Many of the films now shown, he said, were quite unsuitable. F. C. Spratt, representing Kerridge-Odeon, said Mr J. Arthur Rank had people making a special study of this question. No fewer than 60 films specially written and prepared for children’s clubs were at present in New Zealand. Judge Stilwell, giving evidence as chairman of the Film Industry Board, dealt at length with the board’s constitution and functions. Having seen the results of the board’s operations ever nine years, he believed without reservation, he said, that the method at present followed was to be preferred to any other system. The board had completely and efficiently carried out its functions. “ The outstanding questions of licensing and sub-standard films require competent consideration and handling,” he added. “ I am firmly of the opinion that only people who have an intimate knowledge of the commercial and administrative side of the film industry are capable of advising the Government effectively and usefully and of retaining the most essential factor—the . confidence and co-operation of the industry.” Feature Productions Earlier, lan Percival Forlong, a unit director of the National Film Industry, gave evidence as a private citizen. He recommended the making of feature ' films in New Zealand, and said that thought should be given to the possibility of producing modest 6000 ft to 7000 ft films of this kind either by the National Film Unit or with its support. The “Weekly Review,” said Forlong, •while giving an unparalleled picture •of life in New Zealand, did not attempt to express in emotional terms aspects of the lives and personal relationships of the people. Forlong said that feature films could be made in New Zealand, he thought, from £IO,OOO to £15,000. The trained personnel was already here, and the National Film Unit had the equipment necessary* for modest productions. For a start it should be possible to produce a series of 6000 ft to 7000 ft films at the rate of about two a year. ‘After all, said witness, “we cannot do anything until we try. and at the moment we are rather in the position of a small boy who is not allowed to go in swimming until he has learned to swim. _ The control of film production in New Zealand- by an independent board free from direction by any Government which might be in power was advocated by Miss Margaret Thomson, a film director of some 12 years experience in the making ot ’ documentary films in Great Britain. Canada and Australia, she said, had been wise enough to see that no matter how liberal, how detached, or how careful Ministerial control might be there there were very definite dangers attaching to it. . Miss Thomson, who returned to New Zealand last year to take up a position on the National Film Unit, appeared before the committee in a private capacity. The producer and staff of the National Film Unit must, from the very nature of their relationship to the Prime Minister’s Department inevitably have regard to how far they might go in making films of some subjects when any controversial subject was being considered, she said. The attitude of the Government was automatically taken into account. This was a negative side on a positive side. New Zealanders had shown they could make good films. Under independent control they could make even better films. An executive officer of the New Zealand Standards Institute, Mr L. J. McDonald, said that as part of the general programme of the formulation of standard codes incorporating local body by-laws for building and related matters, including earthquake resistance, and fire protection and prevention, codes were in the course of preparation for antipanic prevention measures in theatres and for the construction of theatres generally. Unless some difficulty arose this code should be completed by the end of this year. The commission adjourned until Tuesday morning.