CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
How to Make a Filmstrip
by L oraine B urdick
THE IDEA. This is part one of a two-part article on how to make a filmstrip. The project described in this article took place during Daily Vacation Bible School and the idea can be easily adapted by church groups and missionaries. Next month’s article will contain detailed technical data and the names of commercial companies that specialize in filmstrips.
the film could be developed at night and studied the next day for immediate correction where neces sary. With Bibles as a guide, each scene was cooperatively planned to accompany a narrated portion of Scripture. Parts fell to “ natur al” choices for such roles as Mary (whose baby had just been bom ) and the reader of the decree (who was the teacher). Title and cast were photographed from printed wrapping paper. The finished film, with Eskimo narration, was a real stimulus to worship as they watched them selves or friends recall the wonder ful Saviour God sent to change the hearts of those from every race and land. Jesus sent His disciples to the uttermost parts of the world and Barrow Eskimos see in this a very special provision for them.
T he Eskimo ladies of Barrow, Alaska wished to have a class for themselves during the Vacation Bible School. Children would he building projects and making note books. Many of the women, how ever, could not even speak English let alone write it. Teenagers would help roof the new church during activity period and the ladies de cided to help put on siding after lessons were done. Still, they want ed a Bible-centered project that would benefit the whole church. So they decided to make a film strip.
Eskimos look a good deal like the people of Bible lands and they reasoned that parkas weren’t too far removed from the flowing robes and cloaks. They decided to use the Christmas story and dramatize it Eskimo style with local costumes and props that were a part of their normal living. George Burdick, then assistant missionary, made the photographs on grassy tundra shep herd fields or before the village frame buildings. Black and white was a more practical medium than color not only because of the low angled Arctic sun but also because
Photos from filmstrip sequence show scenes from the Christmas story (the decree, no room in the inn, the shepherds, the Christ child). Film was made by Eskimos and missionaries in Barrow, Alaska.
JUNE, 1956
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