Newsreel cameramen, despite the then public’s vaguely romantic images of them, were rather businesslike and efficient. If there was a way to make their job easier, they did it.

Three Paramount News cameramen, Joe Johnson, Irby J. Koverman and Marshall G. McCarroll, came up with a way to deal with the constant questions bystanders would ask them while they were working in the late 1930s. The three photogs had cards printed up with answers to the most commonly asked questions and handed them out to the inquiring public. The cards they handed out read:

1. This is Paramount Sound News.
2. Our territory is Southern California.
3. These pictures will be shown in about 10 days all over the United States.
4. No, we do not know at what theaters these pictures will be shown.
5. No, we do not develop them ourselves—they are sent to New York for developing.
6. Yes, the sound is photographed on the film simultaneously with the picture.
7. No, we do not get paid by the picture—we’re on salary.
8. No, we are not acquainted with any studio cameramen, directors or actors.
9. No, we cannot tell you how to break into the newsreel business.
10. Yes, we go many places and see a lot of interesting things.
11. All we know is what we read in the newspapers.