Advice on how to be a director from the 1920's

[MissNathalieVintage]

Very interesting information. http://twitpic.com/4vxwem

 

[Feraud]

I have a book from 1922 called Motion Picture Directing, The Facts and Theories of the Newest Art by Peter Milne.
Chapter contents include-

-Preparation for Production
-The Method of William DeMille
-Mainly about D.W. Griffith
-Words from Frank Borzage
-Directors schooled by Ince
-Ernst Lubitsch: German Director
-The Importance of the Art Director
-Some of the Arts of Slapstick Comedy

There are a couple of dozen photos througout the book.

 

[Espee]

In "The Buster Keaton Story," Peter Lorre (as an early sound director) says "Interlock and roll 'em..."
I suppose the "interlock" has to do with picture+sound. Anyone else run onto that phrase anywhere?

 

[BigFitz]

Well, I guess you would need at least a directors chair, some riding breeches, and a megaphone to shout "QUIET ON THE SET" for starters.

 

[Flicka]

If anyone has a penchant for the world of silent film making, I hear that Laurie King's latest book in the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series takes place during the making of a film in the '20s and that it's really well researched. Just a tip.

 

[Stanley Doble]

Robert Mitchum used to tell a story about Raul Walsh, his favorite director. Raul would set up the scene, start the cameras, turn his back on the actors and roll a cigarette. When they stopped talking he would turn around and say "cut!". Then he would ask how it went? Oh it was ok, I bumped into a lamp but made it look natural. When the actors were satisfied with the scene he went on to the next.

4 Acadamy Awards. Never watched a scene being shot. So much for the director as Auteur.