Movies for TV - Early Television Foundation

CHOOSING FILMS FORTY 255
the same way that camouflage hides a ship at sea. The set should
be well illuminated so that there is good contrast with the shadows
lighted to keep an even tone to the scene avoiding "blobs" of
light or darkness. Since the television receiver has the inherent
fault of failing to resolve small objects too clearly, unless well lit
and uncluttered, important details of clothes or features should
be well lighted.
If possible, avoid the long shot with people in it; it is impossible
to recognize them on a television screen and unless it is an
establishing shot to orient the viewer it has no use normally. In
the same category of shots, any rapid movements of the camera
should be avoided, especially panning without a reason in the
form of a climax at the end of the pan, and rapid pans which
result in slurred pictures.
Titles should be economical with words and not cram too
many into the small area of the frame. In these days of round
screens and amplified pictures as much as 15 per cent of a picture
is lost by these devices.
It is better to avoid using too many spots and very "arty"
lighting; this often results in "splotchy" prints unless done very
carefully. Since blacks are not well handled by the television film
camera, it is advisable to avoid any intense black and use dark
gray instead; otherwise there may be unwanted light patches on
the television screen.
Composition and Common Sense This subject
at length in another chapter, but a summary of highlights will not
is also dealt with
do any harm. Players should be arranged so that it is possible to
take plenty of close shots, well in the center of the set so that the
risk of losing action due to tube cut-off is minimized. If a com-
mercial is being produced as a test film on the hope of selling it,
it is a good idea to show the script to the sales department of the
station or agency first in case there is something in it that would
damn it at once as far as influencing a sponsor is concerned. Some-
times a scene list, complete with frame count,
service that gets results in winning goodwill.
is a little extra