GISBORNE FILM

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19038, 11 June 1936, Page 10

GISBORNE FILM

SEARCH FOR TYPES X.Z. COMPANY'S VENTURE A one or (-wo-roe) comedy is to be made in Cisborne by a New Zealandowned film company, according to information given by the chief cinematograplier, ■ Mr. Lee" Hill. .Mr. Hill said that at the end of the week his company would visit fjisborne and lake a series of screen tests, which would be shown later in a Cisborne Theatre.

The Television Film Company, Limited, has just completed a New Zealand film, with New Zealand actors, set against the scenic beauties of Southland. Tne picture, "The Wagon and the Star,'' which is about 8000 ft. in length, will be released in Invcreargill shortly. .Two fiill-lcngfii pictures are to be made soon, one telling the story of a losl tribe in the fiords of Milford, and the other a gold-mining subject with the authentic and old New Zealand background of the "Roarin' Meg" and "Gentle Annie" claims as its setting. If is for the purpose of selecting stars and actors for these projects that the company is to visit Gisgorne. It is lo he understood, however, that, it has no eonneclinn with any other company which has previously conducted screen tests in this country.

The company will travel through Ihe country and lake actual screen and voice lesls of anyone who considers that he or she has a chance of becoming- a screen type or star. The tests will not be made on the stage of a. theatre, but the method employed will be that the company will lake an actual picture test and voice recording, using the latest type of silenced studio sound-recording camera. In tbia oulfit the camera alone cost £I2OO, and the whole travels on a special truck built to carry the delicaie instruments necessarv for film work.

"Everybody, young or old, is a polentinl screen type,*' said Mr. Hill, "and (hose entering for a screen audition will be assured not only of having their pictures taken and their voices recorded. but of having the tests actually screened in a loial theatre for public inspection. They will be made tip as they wish, and have any particular performance given. The company is prepared to expose thousands of feet of new stock to ensure a representative display of local talent. Cisborne is next in line for tests of likely actors and actresses. A further test will be the production of a one or tworeel comedy which will be produced in Cisborne and will feature Ihe winners of the tests. Although the story has not vet I.ecu written, any suggestion for a small story will be welcome, and will be duly recognised.

Mr. Hill has been connected with film work for many years, and took thousands of feet of news-reel film immediately after (he earthquake in Napier in 1931. For his production of these scenes, which were shown in theatres all over Australia, England and the United States, he received second prize among Fox cameramen for the year. He has been connect ed also with Paramount and Rathe newsreels, and was, in. addition, cinematographer fur several Australian and New Zealand productions. He stated that his company was con vinced, from the success of its first production, that New Zealand, with its historic settings all over the country, and a supply of talent that seemed as "■nod as Australian talent, could produce films that were comparable with the Hollywood productions. The mobile sound recording truck will •"■rive in Cisborne on Friday and actual fl hn tests will be taken in private commencing on Saturday.