FILM-MAKING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 88, 12 April 1912, Page 6

FILM-MAKING.

Taking one consideration with another, a cinematograph actor's lot is about as enjoyable as that of the proverbial policeman. Apart from being a powerful actor, he must be ;>. good, all-round sportsman, who can ride a horse or dive into a river to rescue a drowning heroine when necessary. He must also have an exceptionally powerful constitution to protect him from harm, when as is often the case, he has to spend two or three hours in his wet clothes, after an exciting chase through water. The first scenes are usually taken inside the studio, which resembles a large conservatory, with glass wall:; / and a glass roof. The various rooms and stairways are all stage scenery, and stage effects are manipulated bv a man who stands on a platform above. For instane, when a ceiling is supposed to give way he pours down whiting from a sack. Actors and actresses who have a good deal to do receive written parts, and a brief outline of the plot of the piece is also given by the manager before the picture is taken. Scenes are rehearsed two or three times before being photographed. Leading actors, excepting wellknown "stars," in the cinematograph world receive about £2 2s a day for their services. Knockabout actors for comic films receive the highest salaries. For the sake of effect actors must move their lips when a picture is being taken, hut what they say of course does not matter. I know an actor who repeats "(Aye, , Fee, lye, Oh, You" continously, and another who invariably recites, "Mary had a little lamb." Tho conversation is not, as a rule, in keeping with the picture that is being acted, and the effect is sometimes peculiar. iAn actor will be scowling furiously, and repeating such phrases as "It's been a lovely day today," and "You are looking well" at tho same time. ,

Actors and actresses employ "maketip" whether the picture is a costu no one or not. Indoor pictures are taken by a brilliant blue light that makei the use of greascTpaint absolutely necessary. Another curious fact is that no white apparel is alloAved to be worn. The reason for this is that a pure white dress shows up so glaring-, ly in the picture.