Me University of Southern California Me Academy of Motion Picture Arts
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me UniversitY of Southern California IN COOPERATION WITH me Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences OFFERS I ~Tld()()U~TI()~ T() Vt-l()T()VLA~ COURSE BEGINS SPRING SEMESTER 19 2 9 · ' Introduction to Photoplay A Comprehensive Course of Lectures with Class Discussions and Assigned Readings Introductory to the Study of the Motion Picture Art and Industry Bovard Auditorium UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA AND THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES OFFICERS AND FACULTY RUFUS B. VON KLEINSMID, A.M., SeD., J .D ., Ph. et Litt. D., L.L.D., President of the University. KARL T. WAUGH, A .M., Ph.D., L.L.D., Dean of the Col lege of Liberal Arts and Professor of Psychology. WILLIAM RAY McDoNALD, A.M., Instructor in Speech and University Play Director. OFFICERS OF THE ACADEMY OF MOTTO PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS, President WILLIAM C. D EMILLE, Vice-President lVI. C. L EVEE, Treasurer FRANK WOODS , Secretary --0-- COMMITTEE ON COLLEGE AFFAIRS MILTON SILLS BEULAH DIX FLEBBE Chairman CLARA BERANGER Roy POMEROY LOTTA WOODS J. A. BALL EDWARD J. MONTAGUE IRVING THALBERG CHANDLER SPRAGUE JOHN W. CO NSIDINE PAUL SLOANE DARRYL ZANUCK FOREWORD N presenting the " Introduction to Photoplay," the U ni versity and the Academy have taken into consideration I the necessity of an . introductory course to meet the needs of students who have had a year or two of Liberal Arts and are contemplating majoring in one of the motion picture fields. I t will serve both as an orientation in the field of photoplay as well as a means of determining the aptitude of students to continue in one of the more technical branches of the subject. Within the past few years the motion picture industry has grown from a small experimental enterprise to become one of the largest industries in our country. In the number of persons it emplovs directly and indirectly, and particularly in the number whose welfare and enjoyment are affected by it, it is comparable with our greatest utilities. As is the case with all new ly-evolved and rapidly-growing enterprises, the moving picture industry has been manned largely by those readiest found, who seemed to have some of the qualifications desired. It is now beyond the experimental stage and has arrived at the point where success in the vari ous lines of motion picture work is to be achieved only by those who have made the most thoroughgoing and careful preparation for the work, and those who have the best prac tical and cultural background for the tasks to be undertaken. It is worthy of comment that 96 per cent of all motion pictures produced in the world are made in L os Angeles and vicinity, and it is both desirable and convenient that in this city should be provided the opportunity for training of expert workers in this field . In the summer of ] 927 the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, an organization uniting into one body all branches of motion picture production, opened negotiations w ith the U niversity of Southern California looking toward obtaining such training in the science and art of moving pic tures for its proteges as would serve to raise the stand,uds and ideals of the business to the plane of the highest and most dignified professions. What the industry needs, and what the U niversity can give, is men and women trained in the fundamental sub jects of physics, chemistry, optics, art, architecture, English, dramatics, psychology, etc., with particular application to the 3 chemistry of the film, optics of motion picture camera work, the psychology of perception and interpretation, the art and architecture of motion picture design, stage craft, dramatics, action and speech, and the elements of plot and scenario writing. It is the understood agreement between the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the University of Southern California that in consideration of the University's planning these courses and offering them to duly qualified students, the Academy will give preference to those who have had the training in the courses outlined. In the College of Liberal Arts of the University we have worked out a new and adapted curriculum which now In cludes three courses, leading to appropriate degrees. 1. A course in the science and technique of cInema tography. 2. A course in composition, literature and criticism for moving picture scenario and continuity writing. 3. A course in architecture and fine arts with major emphasis on (a) architecture, (b) decorative arts, or (c) architectural engineering. A course for the training of voice and expression for those arriving at the profession of screen actor is under con sideration. Library and study facilities for the course are provided at the University, as well as advantages of a museum of Motion Picture Arts which adjoins the campus. The Academy aims to establish a technical laboratory and ? research library to facilitate the studies of those who . are advanced in the course, while the University opens its doors to those who must receive the necessary fundamental training. Requirements for admission to these courses are the same as for admission to the College of Liberal Arts, and the first two years' work in the various courses is in general similar to that in Liberal Arts. During the last two years occurs the major part of the specialization and field work. Enrollment for The Introductory Photoplay course begins with the opening of the Second Semester (Feb. 4-6). The membership of the class is limited to fifty and those among the applicants will be accepted who give some evidence or promise of success in photoplay work. KARL T. WAUGH, Dean. 4 LECTURERS DOUGLAS FAiRBANKS Actor and Head of Producing Company Educated in Denver High School, Colorado School of Mines, and attended Harvard University. First theatrical work with Frederick Warde; acted under management of Wm. A. Brady, New York, 1901. Began work in motion pictures in 191+ under direction of D. W. Griffith. Since 1916 head of own producing company. J. A. BALL-Director, Technical Bureau for ASJociation of Motion Picturl' Producers. B. S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1915; since 1915 engaged in research for perfecting of new color processes for motion pictures; in charge of West Coast operations for the Technicolor Company. J. STUART BLACKTON Motion Picture Director and Producer Educated at Elton House Collegiate School, England, and Col lege of the City of New York. In motion picture industry since 1896; associated with Albert E. Smith, 1900, in organiz ing Vitagraph Company ( first company to make screen plays) ; founder, 1910, The Motion Picture Magazine; organizer, 1915, and first president, Motion Picture Board of Trade of Amer ica ; producer of many photoplays of distinction. FRANK \VOODs-Secrftar)', Acadrmy of Motion Pictllre Arts and Sciencrs. Presi dent, Photoplay Authors League, 191+; President Screen '~hiters Guild of Authors League of America, 1921-22. An originator, 1908, of the continuity form of script writing; in charge of stories and production for Griffith Studio, 1913-17; Chief Supervisor, Famous Players-Lasky, 1917-22 ; independent producer, 1923 -24. ERNST LUBITSCH United Artists Produce r-Director Graduate, High School, Berlin, Germany; became actor under di rection of Max Reinhardt; later undertook the work of director and has directed a series of outstanding film successes. BEN] AMIN Gl.AZER, Supervisor of Sound, Pathe and F.B.O. Studios . Educated Central High School, Philadelphia. Studied la wand admitted to Pennsylvania bar, practicing for seven years. Edi torial writer for the Philadelphia Press and composer of plays, having written some of the most successful screen plays. D e voted himself to the production of sound, music and dialogue with the films. IRVING THALBEFG M allager, 11[ etro-Goldwyn-fI![ ayer Studios Graduate Brooklyn High School. In business in New York, becoming Secretary to Carl Laemmle; later General Manager, Universal City Studios; and since 1924 in charge of production of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Company. 5 Prominent Lecturers in the "INTRODUCTION TO PHOTOPLAY" CEDRIC GIDBONS MILTON SILLS WILLIAM DEMILLE ERNST LUBITSCH DOUGLAS FAIRBANKS FRANK VirOODS BENJAMIN GLAZER M. C . LEVEE EDWIN SCHALLERT CLARA BERANGER COM.]. STUART BLACKTON IRVING THALBERG 6 7 CLARA BERANGER Writer for the Screen B.A., Goucher College, 1927; member Phi Beta Kappa; staff writer for. Famous Players-Lasky Corporation; contributor of stories and articles for magazines; also screen adaptations, original screen stories, stage plays and talking pictures. MILTON SILLS First National Star A. B., University of Chicago, 1900; Fellow in Philosophy, Uni versity of Chicago Graduate School. Began actor's career first with Donald Robertson Players; later was leading man in plays for Belasco, Frohman, Brady and Shubert. Began work for the screen in 1914, being successively with the World Films, Goldwyn, Selznick, and Fox, later devoting himself entirely to motion pictures. Now with First National Pictures Company. CEDRIC GIIlIJONS Art Director, 111 etro-Goldwyn-M ayer Educated privately abroad, specializing in study of period fur niture, decorations and costumes. Art Director, 1912, with Thomas A. Edison Company. Later with Goldwyn Studio in charge of technical work and settings. \VILLIAM CAMERON MENZIES - -Art Director, United Artists Educated at Dumfries Academy and Hopkins Preparatory School, and the Art Student's League in New York. Commis sioned in Navy during World War. After War, with Famous Players-Lasky, Mayflower Company, and First National. Designed sets for Thief of Bagdad. M. C. LEVEE General Manager, United Artists Studios Largely self educated; various business activities in Chicago with Fox Film Company; organized studio with Brunton, em ploying Dustin Farnum, Mary Pickford and others. Built up United Artists Studios, Inc., well known furniture property business. General Manager, First ational Studios.