unEsco/is/Pst/1 PARIS, 30 April 1919 UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION THE POPULARIZATION OF SCIENCE ‘THROUGH FILE by Arthur Elton end Sinclair Roadunescofis/rst/L PARIS, 30 April 199 THD POPULARIZATION OF SOTRNOR TImOvOM FINA by Arthur Elton end Sinclair Road FOREWORD Several of the points of view expressed in this paper could be discussed, and it is hoped they will be. Any oriticisna or camonts, ond particularly reports on discussions held in ‘this connexion, will be greatly appreciated by the Division of Scicnco and its Popularization, Department of Natural Sciences, UHE.S.0.06, 19 Aveme Kléber, Paris, 1bo. France. InrRopycrron Soience provides an explanation of the netural world end a method of working which can be applied to all human activities. The work of solence, more particularly in its technological application, raises the general issue of social responsibility for its use and control. Popular understanding of science and the work of science is therefore fundamental to its full and ordered development. The media of mass commmication ~ press, radio and film - themselves the products of scientific technology, have a special fumotion in illuminating the problems of this age. Their success in the populariza- tion of science depends, however, on tho level which popular understanding has already reached, aswell as On the character of the individual medium. As far as the present level of scientific understanding is concerned, one is faced with the disquicting fact that it is low even in those countries where standards of education are accepted as advanced. Knowledge of the facts of science tends to be patchy and incomplete. Memories of isolated experiments conducted at school, supplemented by stray pieces of information gleaned from casual reading or observation, do not constitute a very solid basis for appreciating the principles involved. Appreciation of scientific method is, on the whole, equally restricted. Formal education has not, in fact, provided an adequate basis of general Kmowledge. A great deal is therefore expected of popularization, ranging from outright instruction to the presontation of the more fundamental problems of application and control which confront the modern citizen.XS/PSi/i - page 2 30 April 1919 At the sane time, popularization mst contend with all the false attitudes about science which cheap fiction and other popular forms of entertainnent have built up and constently maintein, In particuler, there is the genoral sense of the remoteness of science, and more particularly, the rather frightening ronoteness of the white-coated scientist working in the seoret quiet of his laboratory. This atmosphere of remoteness has had a further overlay of mystery end horror added to it since the development of the atomic bonb and the all-round tightening of security measures which has gone with it. The secrecy which surrounds one of the most important, scientific developments of this age must inovitebly inhibit populerizetion projects as a whole. In such ofroumstances the public has a valid reason for not trying to understand the workings of science, and a perfect excuse for avoiding any collective responsibility for the outcome and application of the scientists’ achievements. General limitations such as these, which stand in the way of popular understanding of science, mist be reckoned with in any assessment of popularization techniques and apply, whatever the medium concerned. In using the mediun of the film for popularization, there is a further factor which mst be taken into account, i,e., the popular associa- tions which it in turn arouses. The fact that the fiin medium has grom up so largely within the tradition of popular ontertaimnent, hes limited very considerably the development of its other uses. Although from the beginning the camera has an honourable history in sciontific research, its use for popular education and information is of comparatively recent origin. Not until as late as about 1930, and more particularly with the expansion of documentary film making, has the public come to accept more readily the wider uses of the film. Bven so, the tradition of entertainment and ontertainent film conventions and techniques, still exerts a strong influence on film makers and audiences alike. Popular educational filns, particulerly those on sofentifo subjects, heve suffered from this bias where they have been made specially for showing in public oincmas. To treat the little-known scientific fact with en air of wonder, or to comentate some aspect of plant life in facetious form with a false attribution of human qualities or associations, has been the fault of many commercial productions. In many cases, such films have done no more than confuse populer understanding of science, by using the facts of science ‘to encourage unscientific attitude. The exploitation of psychology in many recent feature filns is another exemple of how false attitudes about science oan be and have been created through the cinema Nevertheless, the film, correctly applied, has an undoubted value in enlarging public appreciation of the principles, methods and applications ef science. Through its ability to represent movenent, to evoke vivid associations, to demonstrate - with greater effect than almost any other nedium ~ the applications and social effects of « particular activity, to show by the use of diagram and cartoon techniques the relevance of theory to practice and the importance of established principles, the film is an important instrument for education and information. But just as the popularia- tion of science must be concerned with the total impact of science on society, s0 too in considering the use of the film one mst be concerned with its total use = from the entertaiment film in the public cinema to the instructional film in the classroon.uis/Ps1/1 - page 3 30 April 1919 From the point of view of this enquiry, the subject-matter and ‘treatment adopted in eny filn is only fully understandable in the light of the use to be made of it. The chamnols through which it is to reach the public exercise a determining influence on production, The film is perhaps even nore dependent than the other mass-modia on the distri- ‘wution channels available, because it is a costly medium to work in and requires @ relatively complex organization, not only for production, but also for exhibition. As a result, the availability of distribution channels and their limitations are considered first in Section II, before going on to the nore detailed problems arising from the production of films about science. I. THE EXTENT 70 WHICH POPULARIZATION IS AND CAN BE CONDUCTED (a) Through the Coumercial Cinema end Other Channels which reach the General Publics The appeal of the cinema is universal. It is estimated that sone 230 million attendences are made at the world's cinema each week. The density of attendance varies considerably from country to country, According to the level of industrial development and the potential for making and showing films. It is highest in the U.S.A. where the latest weekly attendence figure has been put at 98 million, as mich in fact as total attendance in the whole of Burope, including the U.S.S.R. (Seo Appendix 1: Some World Cinena Statistics.) The influence which the einere exerts on behaviour and opinions though largely unmeasured, is considerable. Research conducted in the U.S.A. and Britain, where cinema going is highest, confirns this point. With its proven mass eppeal, the cinoma has, therefore, obvious attractions as a possible channel through which popular understanding can be developed. In fact, it is a mediun of popularization subject to serious limitations. In a majority of countries the ordinary commercial cinena aims to present “entertainnent" construed usually in the narrowest of terns. For "entertainment" one can often read "absence of any matter which requires goncentration or undue mental activity." There are obvious sociological reasons for this interpretation which derives from the scciel functions which the cinema performs in contemporary urban society, and the fact that it offers, not merely relaxation, but also escape from everyday reality. The purely financial considerations of box-office appeal constitute a further factor. As a result, the inclusion in tho average cinema programme of material which does not conform to the accopted definition of what is entertaining is rare. This limitation applies not only to the subjects of films, but also to their presentation and treatment. For these reasons, the feature film in pertiouler has not proved e satisfactory medium for the popularization of Beionce. Scientific references have certainly been included in a mmber of foature filne, tut usually to provide local colour: of questionable validity. Scientific subjects have also been exploited where they have an, obvious mdience appeal, as in the case of psychology. On the other hand, dramatic Diogrephios of famous scientists like "The Life of Louis Pesteur" and "Paul Bhrlich's The Magio Bullet", a mmber of similar Uoviet TTins, aud the Fecent Fea Ls GeMSETET baa’ on the Capek novel which shows through the life of m inaginiary solentist the far-reaching social implications of scientific invention, can do a useful job of populerizetion. Unfortunately, such filns have been very rare in most countries, and oven when they succeed, the veryus/Pst/1 = page 30 April 199 reasons why they succeed dramatically may well give rise to false notions about the work of Science, however correct the basic ideas they present. The most effective vehicle for scientific popularization in the cinemas ie the short documentary film (ise. from 10 to 20 minutes in running time). Yet, generally the marketing of such fils is difficult and uneconanié. In most countries there is neither space to spare in the Progreme, nor money to pay for short films. The long feature film or films ocoupies nearly all the screen time end receives the bulk of the ‘takings. Even when short films are included, preference is generally given to films of a light entertainment kind. (See Appendix II). Some countries have attempted to meet this problem by requiring all cinemas by law to include one short doounentery film in every progranne. Whore this has been done, i.e. in Czechoslovakia, Denmark, Italy and Poland anong others, the method has proved successful, and audiences aprear, in principle, to have accepted the now convention. To assure short filus adequate access to soreen space is the first objective. Even when this is gained, a further consideration erises. Whore the aim is to increase populer understanding over a wide field of interest, only limited success can be achieved by showing occasional films on unrelated aspects. Thie difficulty can be offset when films are prom duced and distrituted as a croup, with a common thene and/or a commen title, or in the form of a regular magazine. From a commercial point of view a group of films is easier to market, and as far as audiences are concerned, it cen achieve a greater accumlative effect. The public becomes accustom- od to seeing regularly a particular kind of problem and approach. The name and nature of the series bocones Imown, and people even begin to watch out for the next issue, The Amorican "March of Time", the British "This Modern Age", tad the vartine, cenadien MorldIn Action”, are good oxamples oi ‘magazine and of how this method has succeoded in bringing the general subject of world affairs on to the cinema soreons, primarily in Inglish- speaking countries. (Seo Appendix III.) While these magazines deal with one subject per issue, there are others which contain several items in cach issue. In Britain, where a considerable anount hac been done along these lines, there are several Govern~ ment=sponsored monthly film magazines, produced mainly for more specialized audiences. "Worker and Wer Front", later renaned “Britain Can Wake Tt”, was made specially for factory audiences during and inmed{ately alter the war; ‘Wining Review" is a special magazine for miners; "This Is Britain” is for apoio alized audiences overseas. There is also the Tmdustrially-sponsored Shell Cineagarine, although designed prinerily for specialized distritn- ‘Oh, sone of those magazines are also shown in the ordinary cinemase Film magazinos have also been extensively developed in the Soviet Union = they include Science & Tectmique, What Our Scientists Are Working On, Talos of the Great Plan, Nature a it Tip iprlestearieta” Tactarers exTeurtste’ Lectures: ‘TIT these series, Tike a great deal of scientific production in the U.S.8.R., are more-or-less directly related to the Five-Year-Plan and deal with various aspects of its application. Some are designed for showing in ‘the ordinary cinemas, others are distributed to more specialized audiences. The ordinary comercial newsreel, on the other hand, has not, on the whole, been used as a channe) for the popularization of scientific Knowledge. Although occasionally an odd item of general scientificws/Pst/1 - page 5 30 April 1919 interest is included usually in the forn of « new ‘gadget’, most newsreels are concerned only with reporting popular news itens and the more spectacu~ Jar events of the week. This omission is hard to justify, The nowareel is the one part of the cinoma progrmme which the audience expects to be different, It cleims to convey news of the main world ovents, and to be showing "the world to the world". The convention of presenting a nunbor of short.itens should more casily allow the inclusion of one or to items of a scientific nature. And finally, since the main newsreels, Atericen and British, circulate throughout a large munber of countries, they offer ‘the possibility of popularization to a very large audience indeed. Hever~ theless, thoir general usefulness at present is severely restricted. There are certain exceptions to this general rule. In the case of Czechoslovakia and Poland, for exmple, the weekly nevsreels, handled more in documentary style, aim at presenting more factual information, Tn Hew Zealand, too, the Goverment Filn Unit produces a similar kind of editorial newsreel. Another exemple of filns being produced and distributed in a series is provided by the pre-war British Secrete of life and Secrets of Wature films. Their success is to a large extent due to the fact that public interest was built up over a mmber of years. Those different types of magazine or film sores, illustrate how popularization through film can be conducted with greater prospects of lasting effect. (For further details seo Section IIT). One other aspect of theatrical distribution is worth noting - ‘the development of specialized newsreel cinemas. In meny countries, a growing mmber of cinemas are being esteblished as news-theatres or operating on @ repertory basis. Since such cinemas are not subject to the pressure of wookly bookings and are not so mich at the mercy of the complex machinery of comercial distribution as the ordinary cinenas are, they are more free in their choice of progranmes. They also appeal to e more disoriminating public. Accordingly, they offer better opportunities for ‘the inolusion of material relating to the popularization of sciences Briefly thon, the commercial cinema offers extensive opportunities for reaching a very lerge world sudience, though the size of the audience varies considerably fron country to country depending on the level of industrial development. Films shown in the cinema are also knovm to exercise a considerable, though wmeasured, influence on people's behaviour and opinions. On the other hand, the limitations in terns of subject matter, presentation and ‘treatment are also considerable in most countries. In the present oircum- stences, the feature film does not offer a suitable medium for the populeriza~ tion of science. The best vehicle is the short documentary film, particularly when it is produced and distributed ina group or series. The newsreel, though largely unexploited, is also a valuable channel for popularization. II. (b) Through Non-Thostrical Channels and Aimed at Specialized Audiences. The development of non-theatricel distribution is in one sense & natural extension of the filn's uses. It has also been stimilated very considerably by the relative failure to gain a place in the comercial oinena for films of a more serious nature or intention. The appeal through non~uB/PST/l - page 6 30 April 1919 theatrical distribution to specialized audiences hes tho following advantages. Tt can reach people in places end moods in which they are more likely to give serious consideration to the subject matter of the films shom, The doctor, farmer, housewife, factory worker, in his or her own professional cirele = ‘at the trade union branch, wonen's institute, farmer's club or medical society branch - is clearly more responsive to information or instruction ‘through film, then they would be in another capacity sitting in the public cinema, Continuity in showing films is also mich easier to achieve through these channels, The success or failure of films to make their point and their effects on the audience can be assessed with groater certainty. By now, most countries are aware of the value of this specialized form of appeal. The necessary machinery for distributing and exhibiting filns in this way mst, however, be available. Successful non-theatrical distribution requires @ ready supply of films, en organized lending-librery system from which they oan be borrowed or hired, and a wide availability of projectors and meeting-halls. In no country, however, are all these conditions fully met. lack of 16mm projectors is the major problem; this emerges clearly from the ‘bro UNESCO Technical Reeds Reports and fron other sources. Rise in demend fer exooeds the present rate of manufacture. The relatively high cost of projectors is also a general handicap. Many countries do not have a sufficient supply of films. This préblon is particularly acute in countrica which produce few documentary and educational films of their omm and have to rely on importing films from abroad, Such filns are not always suitable, even when any necessary re-dubbing or sub-titling has been done, because of differonces in national idion and approach, and in levels of odication. This is particularly obvious in Fundemental Education ereas. The absence of a co-ordinated library system is also a consider~ able handicap. So long as the public has not got as ready an access to filns as it has to books through public library systens, the full use of the film medium is impeded. Despite these difficulties, the machinery for non-theatrical distribution has been expanded very considerably throughout the world, particularly during and since the war, Today, there is hardly « country which 1s not alive to its possibilities end has not attempted to develop this lise of the film within the limits of its resources.. The use of filns, within national educational systems, is also developing rapidly. If non-theatrical distribution is to be effective, a further service is required. General information on fils available, their quality and usefulness for different kinds of audience, the sources from which they can be obtained, is essential. Within the field of scientific films, considerable progress on these lines has been made by organizations like the British Scientific Film Association, particularly since the establish- nent of the International Scientific Film Association in 197. This Association now represents member orgenizations in over twenty countries. The extent to which scientific films have veen and can be used through non~theatrical chennels depends entirely on the adequacy of the machinery described above (supply of filus, library system, projection facilities, information and appraisal service), end on the initiative and efforts of individuals and orgenizations throughout the community.us/Pst/i - page 7 30 April I9h9 The contribution of the user is of great importance. The development of Film Socicties which already exist in a mmber of countries, or of Film Councils or Filn Forums on North-American lines, is’an essential element of sticcessful non theatrical distribution, A local Film Society or Filn Council provides a focus of activity and is in a position to stimleto other organizations in its locality, i.e. medical branches, ‘trades unions, locel councils ete., to use filns regularly as part of their activities, In Britain, in fact, there are about fifty specislized Scientific Film Societies in regular operstion, apart fron nearly two lumdred ordinary Film Socioties. “iithin thio frenework of local enter~ prise it is then possible to conduct the popularization of science with far greater effect. A degroc of state suprort hes proved to be necessary to develop non-theatrical distribution in neerly ell cases. In sone countries govezmients have had to take the lead in establishing film library services, ise. Donmark, Canada, Poland, ‘ustrelia, Britein. In others, state-sponsored projection sorvices are operated, many of then running nobile projection units, i.e. Britain, Canada, Poland, Czechoslovakia, India etc. In yet othor cases, such as tho U.S.A., financial support is made available locally to assist Film Forums in their work. In Britain, France, Canada and other countries the importance of national scientific film associations has been officially recognized to the extent of the state providing subsidies to assist their work. Finally, state~support has been forthcoming in providing finance for the production and supply cf films of @ general soientific nature, Tiis uspect is considered in Section III. In principle, therefore, popularization through non-thontrical distribution is not faced with the barriers which exist in the case of the camercial cinema, There are not the same limitations on subject= matter end treatment. The problems that have to be overcome are the physical one of assuring adequate projection and library facilities, enc ‘the psychological one of stimlating local enterprise. To these ends some form of state support has beon necessary in the case of most countries. III, THE PRODUCTION OF FI (A) Organization Scientific film production also receives a measure of state support in nearly all film-producing countries. Since governments heve cone to regard the film as a necessary medium of information and education, particularly over the past ton years, state-spbnsorship hes risen sherply. But, inevitably, state-production is geared to the needs of national economic and social policies. The filns whioh are sponsored are designed to further these policies through information end instruction. Such filns may, at the sane tine, further the popularization of science, but that is nob their principal finotion. ABOUT SCIENCE Scientific film production as such is most highly organized in the Soviet Union, although it should be remembered thet: many Soviet scientific filns would, in fact, be classed under the more general heading of documentary films in other countries. The important characteristic of Soviet filn-naking is, however, the attenpt which has been made to co- ordinate popular scientific film-making designed for all types of distri- ‘bution, using instructional films, filn-magazines as well as feature filns, to achieve a general cumulative effect on the public.us/PSI/1 - page 8 5e/fortt als In most film-producing countries, however, one finds a combination of state and industrial sponsorship opereting, the fils being mace by independent production companies. A limited smount of scientific film production is financed speculatively by film industries thenselves. But in view of the economic problens of distribution outlined in Section II, such production is limited and fluctuates very considerably. Only in the U.S.A, ic it possible to produce specialized educational films with any reasonable hope of recovering production costs from the non-thoatrical narket. The reference book called "Science in Film" published in 1918, gives a very cood outline of the extent and gature of sciontific filn sponsorship and production throughout the world (see bibliography), Despite these general linitations, the actual volume of films produced about the difforont aspects of coience is fairly extensive, as reference to the nain national film catalogues will indicate (soe bibliography) + IIT. (B) Subjects and Treatuont. The general usefulness of films about science can best be sssessed by exomining how far they lave contributed to the main require- nents of populerizatio 1, of the facts of science 2. of scientific method 3+ of tho application and effects of ucionce. Most has probably been achieved undor headings 1. and 36 There is en obvious curiosity end interest appeel about mony of the facts of science. This appeal hes long been recognized by cormorcial film makers anda relatively large mmbor of filns ‘eve been made in different countries for all levels of audience = from the cinema to the classroom. In this ficld, much valueble pioncoring work hes been carried out in a munber of countries, rartioulerly by tho Linistry of Cinematography in the U.S.3.R., by Jean Painlevé and the Institut de Cinématographie Scientifique in France, by Percy Smith and colleborators in Britain, and by others in the U.S.A. Anajority of the films, produced under heading (1) have, however, been concerned with aspeots of botany and biology. At tho cinema level there are, for example, the British Secrets of lature and Secrets of Life series, and the pre=war German UTA nature films. in analysis of closs-room teaching films shows a similer preponderance of nature filns. Concentration on these subjects in nearly all countries, to the virtual oxolusion of the other sciences, is interesting. The reason probably lies in the gronter immediate interest of plent and animal life. Thore is elco a groater opportunity for using cenera techniques which show speeded-up or slowed-down motion with considerable effect. Films on these subjects have had a considerable success in the cinemas and have undoubtedly helped to familiarize the public with cortain of the facts of soience within a limited field. Where these films have been deficient, it has usually been in their commentary. hore has been a strong tondenoy to introduce a facetious note and an air of mystery where no mystery exists.us/est/1 - 30 April 19h9 9 A relatively large pumber of films have also been produced dealing with the application of, and use of, science, and to sone extent with its effects. This aspect of scientific populerization has been nost developed within the franework of documentary filn~making, To show how the machinery of modern society fits together and how it affects the citizen, has been the declared aim of documentary film-nekers as well as a mainspring of governmental and industrial sponsorship. As a result, many films have been and are being produced in a majority of countries, which do show the sceial applications of medicine, the place of scientific researoh in ferming, the work of science in industry and similar subjects. Although the mmber ef such films is extensive, their distribution is subject to the genoFal limitations described in Section IT, They also suffer from one further limitation. However successfully they may represent scientific processes or the applications of science to the particular activity they describe, the majority have not, on tho whole, indioated sufficiently the citizen's responsibility for what science does and can dos As alroady indicated, this is a limitation imposed, in part, by the sponsorship system under which nearly all documentary films are produced. Governments are generally interested in filns which either giye instruction to different sections of the community in such subjects &s accident prevention, public health, new farming techniques, end so on, or enlist through information the oitizen's co-operation in different public services, and in increasing industrial output. Industrial sponsors are concerned with films which bear generally on the work they undertake. By far the greatest gap, however, is in the popularization of soiontific method. Very few films indeed have been made which ostablish clearly what are the principles of scientific method and how it is applied. This is e major deficiency. The general public may know the facts which science reveals and understand the work which science does, tut unless the method by which all this 4s achieved, is also appreciated, the whole success of popularization is jeopardised. This is a criticism which cen be applied to scientific populariza- tion as a whole, not merely to films. On the whole, popularization has not sucoseded in establishing in the public mind the everyday applications of soientifio method which the housewife in her cooking, the car-omner in his tinkerings, the amateur electrician, in fact, most people at some tine, adopt. Only if people underetand that the method and principles of science aro, in fact, being applied with daily regularity, will popularization projects have a solid foundation on which to build. It is of obvious importance that popularization - whatever the medium used - should proceed initially from the familiar to the unfamiliar. Failure to proceed in this way has marred the success of many otherwise effective films. It is tempting, particularly in the production of films for general sudiences, to proceed from what is most dramatic. Shots of an tonic bonb immediately after its explosion have an obvious drematio and pistorial value. But they convey very little indeed to audiences. Even the full realization of its horrors is inhibited by the difficulty of comprehending what it all moans. As a result, the workings of science are made to appear even more remote and mysterious and even more difficult to grasp, and the whole point of popularization is defeated.us/Pst Al - page 10 30 April 1919 The relative failure of the films produced ebout the Nazi concentration camps to make an effective impression on audicnces in the public cinemas is also instructive. Extremes of horror presented on the soreen in full reality appear to set up a revulsion in an audience which inhibits proper comprehension. Oddly enough, verbal descriptions seen to have made a profounder impression. These are clearly extreme instances to teke, but they do illustrate how important it is for the popularization of science through film, to ‘proceed initially from what is within the experience of the audience, When subjects far removed from everyday experience are presented without sone reference back to what the public does know and accept, a whole chain of emotional reactions can be set in motion which prevent understanding. Although a little is nom about mdience reaction to films, more detailed research than has at present been undertaken would be extremely valuable. This is particularly relevant in the case of filns designed to bring home the social effects of science and to arouse the citizen's sonse of responsibility for the use and control of science, which, after all, is the crux of scientific popularization, IV, RECOMMENDATIONS It is clearly diffioilt to present a succinct summary of reconmendations of how the film could be used more effectively in the popularization of science, since conditions vary from country to country. There ere, however, certain observations which have a goneral validity. The effective development of the film for the popularization of soience is closely bound up with its future development as a medium. So ong as the film is so widely associated with entertainment and entertain- nent techniques, its other uses as a medium are impeded. The main Ampedinent in this direction lies in the way distribution is organized generally. Popularizetion through the Public Cinena At present the enormous appeal of the public cinema is not utilized to any real extent for popularization, Some countries have taken the step of introducing legislation requiring the inclusion of one documentary film in every cinema programe in order to break dom the populer entertainnent tradition. There are other expedients - not requiring logislation - which have been attempted with success. The most important from many points of view 4s the production and distribution of films in a group or series. A group of films is easier to market commercially, and has the merit of achieving a greater cumlative effect on the public. Both governments and filn industries should be encouraged to think in these. terms, though the general resistance to films of a *non- enterteinnent™ character on the part of commercial distributors mist always be reckoned with. The newsreel, too, has the merit of continuity and could be utilized to a far greater oxtent then it is today, to present regular items of general scientific interest.wS/Pst/A - page 11 30 April 19h9 The foature filn, generally speaking, has not so fer proved & suitable medium for the popularization of science, and no inmedictely satisfectory measures suggest themselves. (nthe other hend, from a negative point of view, its power to encourage and maintain fundementally unscientific attitudes requires constant attention on the part of scien- tists. Kore dcteiled research into the effects which the average feature film seen in the cinema has on audiences would be of considerable value. Resistance to the vrosentation of subjects of more serious interest in the cinema is not merely a financial one on the part of comercial distributors and exhibitors. It also hes a great deal to do with the curious social and psychologicel réle which the cinema occupies in contemporary society. Further audience research would also be valuable into the whole subject of films designed to bring homo the social effects of science end to erouse the citizen's sense of responsibility for the use and control of setence, opularization through Won-Theetrical Distribution chamels A considerable mmnber of practical steps can be taken to develop tthe ure of films about scicnce non=theatrically by all kinds of organize- tions throughout the commnity. This kind of distribution is not, however, coowmically self-supportinge It requires @ large measure of public support for the financing of production, the provision of library facilities and adequate projection machinery. Because of tho mich higher dogree of attention which non-theatrical audiences are prepared to pay to the subjects of the films they sce, money and offort put into developing this lind of distribution produces far more lasting results. The encouragement of local enterprise through the agency of local film groups is also of the utmost importance in expending the use of scientific films, The creation of national scientific film associa~ tions - along the lines on which the International Scientific Film Association is already moving - is equally essential to effective film use. Such bodies can provide authoritative information about available films end a fous for local film societies. In the production of films popularizing science, the maximm amount of goverment and non-government sponsorship should be encouraged. It is inportent in this respect that sponsoring organizations, particularly public bodies, should realize the value of developing en understanding, not merely of certain of the facts of science and its application to particuler areas of activity, but also the actual everyday use of scientific method as well as the citizen's responsibility for the ultimate use and control of the discoveries of science. As fer as the subject matter and troatment of science in films ia concerned, it is relatively easy to criticize existing populer science films end to indicate the directions in which they have failed to give an adequate picture of the various facets of science, or have incorrectly interpreted its workings. More filns should be devoted to the everydey applications of tho methods of science and to the problen of civic responribility, its use and controle Greater care should be taken to relate subjects described to what is within audiences! experience. Aus/PSI/l - page 12 30 april Igho certain familiarity is an ossential basis for further understanding. Efforts to make science palatable to cinema andiences by the misplaced use of lunour or mystery should be avoided. These may ell be valid contentions, But how are thoy to be carried into effect? It is at this point that the principal scientific institutions 4n different countries could exercise an effective influence, In fact, the majority could profitably pay far more attention to the value of mass~ media, snd in particuler to the filn, in the work of popularization. Authoritative statements by such bodies concerning the actual and potential use of films about science could influence very positively govermentsl and ether agencies responsible for film production. But, ultimately the fate of solentific popularization, whatever ‘the medium used, must depend on tho seriousnoss with which education in science generally is taken in each individual country. On that fact mst depend the success of any populerization project.ws/ps1/1 Appendix I 30 April 1949 Weekly world cinema attendances in 19)8 are estimated to be in the neighbourhood of 230 million at over 80,000 35 mm. cinemas, Attendances in the main areas of the world ere as follows: Worth Anerica 100 million Burope (incl, U.S.8.R.) gf Far Bost Of S. America on 4 djustralesia aot africa en Middle Best zo" Full details in respect of sone thirty countries coticorning the mmber of cinemas, their soating capacity, the munber of attendances made, expressed in proportion to population is contained in the two Unesco Technical Needs Reports.s/s Appendix IT 30 April 19h9 Short Film Releases in the 5 (taken from the Motion Picture Almanac) In 1946/7 approximately 310 American short films were released to ‘GHnenas in the U.S.A. Of this total very few dealt with matters of general educational interest, let alone with the popularization of science. 5 films were issued in a series called Umsual Ocoupetions (including such subjects as Swedish Glass Makers and G.I, Hobbies. ——[—e— 6 Popular Science films, including The Sponge Diver and Marine Miracles. es 6 films in a series called Speaking of Animals. 13 films in the series This is America which included no scientific subjects, er 13 March of Timo issues of which tro dealt with matters of general scientific interest, i.o. Atomic Power and World Food Problem.us/est/L ‘Appendix IIT 30 April 1949 MARCH OF TIME and THIS MODERN AGE issues of general scientific interest MARCH OF TLE, Recent issues dealing with subjects of general scientific interest ere: 1915/6 Atomic Power 196 /7 World Food Problem Your Doctors Today In 19h7 ~ the ‘series was appearing in 38 countries end was shown in 12,000 cinemas. THIS MODERN AGE. 196. Homes for All = town and country planning Tomorrow by Air history of British aviation. 19k7. Fabrics of the Future ~ review of the textile industries. Goal Crisis ~ importance of coal to Britain's economic future. Development Areas ~ work in the former depressed areas of Britain, The Rape of the Barth = story of soil erosion. Antartic Whale Hunt ~ the first whale ship to carry aircraft, Food Crisis ~ Britain's agriculture and its relation to the world food situa~ tion,ws/Psi/t Appendix III ~ page 2 30 April 1919 Selected Biblio; ALBYN PRESS: Informational Year Book, Film Foous Press, 1948. ARTS ENQUIRY: The Factual ilu, Oxford University Press, 19h7. ASSOCIATION OF CINE-- TECHNICIANS: Documentary & Educational Films, a memorandum, 1938. ASSOCIATION OP SCIENTIFIC WORKERS: Notes on the Formation of Scientific Film Societies, 196. BACHLIN, P. "Der Film Als Ware" Burg-Verlag. Basle 19/5, and ina ——— French Version - “Histoire Sconomique de cinema” Ia Nouvelle. Paris, 19li7« BRNOIT-LEVEY, JEAN: Les Grandes Missionsdu Cinema, Montreal, 1915. BOARD OF EDUCATION: Optical Aids, Educational Pamphlet Nos 115. HY Stationery Office 1938. BRITISH FILM INSTITUTE: 1937. 1937. r9h7. CENTRAL FILM LIBRARY, LONDOW: Catalogue of Sound Films, 19196 CHAFEE, Zt Government and Mass Communications, University of Chicago eas, 2 Vols., 197+ DALE, EDGAR: ‘The Content of Motion Pictures, Macmillan, Wew York, 1935+18/Pst/1_ Appendix III - page 3 30 April 1949 DEAK, Ge Bucational Motion Pictures and.Libraries, Chicagd, 19h2¢- DICKINSON & DE LA ROCHE: Soviet Cinme, Falcon Press, 1946 Docunentary Film News, 34; Soho Square, London. (publishes roguler articles on ecionce & film). DURDEN, FIELD & SUITE: Cine - Biology Penguin Books, London, 1941. EXTON, Ws Audio-Visual Aids to Instruction. MeGran Hill Bock Co. Wew York, 1948. PIELD, HU & SMITH, Pr Secrets of Nature, Faber & Faber HARDY, Fs Griersom on Documentary, Collins, 196. HM. STATIONERY OFFICE: Tendencies to Monopoly in the Cinematograph Film Industry, 19Lh. HOBAN, OHARLES F Foous on Learning, American Council on Education, 192. JACKSON = WRIGLEY M & LEYLAND Bs The Cinema, Le ROle Intellectual du Cinoma. Loague of Nations, Grafton, 1939. MoIWPOSH D.I Attendance of School Children at the Cinema, Scottish Educational — Em Association, 1946. MANVELL, Rr Film, Penguin 1947 MAYER, J.P.t Sociology of Film, Feber and Faber, 1916,25/Ps1/1 Apponiix 111 - page 30 April 1919 MEREDITH, G.P.+ Visual Education and the Hew Teacher, Daily Mail School Aid Department, 1916. MEERGAARD, Es Motion PLotures in Demark, Copenhagen, 19h8. Popular scientific and technical instructional films now in use ~ ———“GoekInoradat, Moscow, TOUh. ROCHE, CATHERINE DE LA: The Soviet Cinema & Science, Penguin Film Bezier Wo. 5, _ 19he. ROTHA, Pr Documentary Film. Faber and Faber, 1939. ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE & SCIENTIFIC FILM ASSOCIATION: Catalogue of Medical Films, 1948. SADOUL, Ge LtInvention du cinéma, Edition Denvel, Paris, 195. SADOUL, Gs Le Cinéma. Paris, 198. Science in Films, A World Review and Reference Bock, Sampson Low, Marston, 1948. SCIENTIFIC FILM ASSOCIATION: Catalogue of Films of General Scientific Interest, ASLIB, 19,6. List of Publications, 1947. Bulletin. Report of International Scientific Film Congress, Sse, RES SCOPTISH FILM COUNCIL & SCOTTISH EDUCATIONAL FILM ASSOCIATION: Report on General Principles in Production of Educational Films Seber aiverstiy oF Lenin Presse TOS THORP, MARGARET: America at the Movies, Yale University Press, 1939. WAPIES, Edited by: Print, Radio and Film in a Democracy. University of Chicago ae, oe