Palmer plan handbook : volume one : an elementary treatise on the theory and practice of photoplay scenario writing (1922)

INTRODUCTION "The Great Train Robbery," produced in 1897, was the first attempt at photodrama. Many of our students will remember it. So, this new art is several hundred years younger than the stage drama. It has had to pass through various stages of experimental effort to find its strength ; it has made its mistakes and suffered its hurts. But today it is firmly started on the path of life it is to travel. It has all of the fascinating charm of youth. It belongs to the new order. It thrills with the latest creative impulses. It is democracy. It speaks the universal language and belongs to all classes, all races and all nations. Someone has said that the last century discovered electricity, and that this century would discover life. CHILD OF SCIENCE AND ART The photodrama — the miraculous fruit of the marriage of science and art — is the means through which this prophecy will be realized. It is Nature's — Life's — own interpretation of herself. It has already destroyed the physical barriers of time and space, and before its enlightening assault the spiritual walls of ignorance and prejudice are crumbling. Slowly, but surely, its silent message is welding into one common brotherhood all the races of men. It is a privilege to be associated with this wonderful art. We want to impress our students with this fact. We want them to feel a dignity in such association. We want them first to have unbounded respect for the work they are undertaking. We want them to gain an understanding of its scope. Millions of people go each day to the many thousands of picture theatres, not alone in this, but in all the countries of the globe. No photodrama is made for any limited group or section. It is sent to every part of the world. If you write a successful scenario, you can visualize the many different audiences who are watching it [9]