Exhibitors Herald (1927)

8 STUDIO SECTION OF March 26, 1927 FP-L Authors Council to Begin Functioning Early in April Lasky Plans Neiv System to Encourage Original Screen Scripts — Department to Be Headed and Organized by Le Baron (Special to the Herald) N' EW YORK, March 22. — Jesse L. Lasky, vice-president of Famous Players-Lasky in charge of production, announced the formation of an Authors Coimcil last week which aims to develop original picture stories and encourage the writing of original stories for the screen. The council will begin functioning soon after the first of the month with offices in the new Paramount building. WILLIAM LE BARON, for the past two years associate producer in charge of Paramount’s Long Island studio, will organize and direct the council and its functions. Working with him will be Owen Davis, the dramatist and president of the Authors’ League of America. He will represent American dramatists. The council will also embrace Frederick Lonsdale, representing British dramatists, and Alfred Savoir, representing the French. Mr. Lasky explained the establishment of the council was made possible by the closing of the company’s Long Island studio. “The East is not suitable for actual picture production,” he said, “but New York is the literary center of the country and, so far as pictures are concerned, for the world. The closing of our studio released from actual production men who are peculiarly qualified to put this plan into operation. Now authors, instead of being swallowed in the studio rush of Hollywood, can go to this convenient center, submit their ideas, have help and guidance in working them out and develop their stories with a definite market in sight.” In that way the council will provide a clearing house for information as to story needs of Paramount stars and directors. “In the past writers have been sent to the studios, where they have been obliged to develop their ideas with studio e.xecutives whose day was crowded with other details of production. The result has been that the author, plunged into a strange technique and strange atmosphere, was forced to write stories under conditions that were discouraging. “It was the fault of the system. “We propose to change that. When a writer has an idea he will discuss it with Mr. Le Baron and his associates, who will give him the benefit of their long experience as practical picture producers. Then the picture story will be worked out in greatest detail with a definite objective in mind. For instance, if it is a story suitable for Emil Jannings, it will be developed to the last detail so that when it is finally finished it will be an ideal Jannings story. Then it will be turned over to trained continuity writers, who will put it into the technical form of a finished scenario. There will be no continuity writing in the Authors’ Council. “One of the big features of the Authors’ Council is that it will really be a market place for story ideas. A bulletin will be posted daily in the council rooms giving the latest information as to the story needs of the studio for our stars and directors. Thus authors will be kept constantly informed as to the changes in the production policies and the sort of material required for our production schedule. If it is decided to make a group of roadshows, authors will be notified that ideas are wanted that are big enough in their conception and pictorial scope to warrant the expenditure of a large sum of money. If we are in need of stories for Bebe Daniels or Oara Bow this fact will be announced on the bulletin board. Thus if an author has ideas for stories which fit these needs he can discuss his ideas with Mr. Le Baron and his associates and, if the ideas are approved, can proceed to develop his story with some certainty that it will be acceptable. “I wish to emphasize that the Authors’ Council will be entirely separate and distinct from our editorial department which, under supervision of Maude K. Miller, will continue to read and select published stories and plays. M. C. Levee Will Resign F, N, Position, Report; Rowland Due on Coast ( special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, March 22.— M. C. Levee whose contract as general manager of First National studios, Burbank, is about to expire may not renew according to well founded rumors. Under Mr. Levee’s regime the First National plant was regarded as the most efficent and well conducted studio in the world. The United Studios, Inc., which furnished props for most of the studios in Hollywood, is making quite a demand upon Mr. Levee’s time and he also is heavily interested in several lumber companies hereabouts. Richard A. Rowland, general manager of First National, is expected on the coast tomorrow and one of the important subjects of his trip West is the renewal of Mr. Levee’s contract. Mr. Levee has inaugurated many economical methods of conducting the studios at Burbank and his efficiency system has been copied by other studios. Grauman Plans Opening Chinese House April 15 ( special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, March 22.— Sid Grauman expects to open his new theatre, the Chinese, about April IS. Details of the decoration and furnishings are being guarded with the greatest secrecy, in order to furnish the maximum of thrills on the opening night. A heavy guard has been posted with strict orders to admit no one. It will open with “The King of Kings,” the Cecil B. DeMille production . **Wedding MarcW* in 65 Reels; Powers to East ( special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, March 22.— P. A. Powers, co-producer with Famous PlayersLasky of “The Wedding March,” has left for New York. Eric Von Stroheim has finished shooting the picture which is in 65 reels. He promises to have it cut to feature length in two months. Jones Signs to Direct Next Fairbanks Picture (Special to the Herald) HOLLYWOOD, March 22.— F. Richard Jones, who recently resigned his position as director general of Hal Roach productions, has affixed his signature to a contract with Douglas Fairbanks whereby he will direct the star in his next United Artists picture. Van Eager Shooting Sills Film HOLLYWOOD.— Charles Van En^er, A. S. C, is photographing “Diamonds in the Rough” which Charles Brabin is directing for First National. Milton Sills is starred. The Screen Writers’ Guild of the Authors’ League of America, comprising the men and women who write motion pictures, have undertaken negotiations intended to lead to the adoption of an uniform contract form to be used in relations between producers and writers. We do not know how far negotiations have progressed or whether there are any differences of opinion to be ironed out, but we believe that the objective of the Screen Writers’ Guild in seeking to have an uniform contract upon which to work is a sound and proper one and we hope that an agreement between the producers and the writers can be reached at an early date. The writers are an essential element of the production fabric. Their usefulness in the furtherance of production in the past has been tremendous and upon their future efforts the screen depends — more importantly than upon anything else — for advancement. Much confusion and bitterness has been brewed between producers and writers over contractual relations. In many cases there apparently has been but a faint idea on one side, or on both, as to what was to be expected and what was to be done. An uniform contract form would solve much, if not all, of this difficulty. It would enable both producer and writer to know in advance just what obligations were to be faced and what compensations were to be enjoyed. An uniform contract for writers would mean another step of progress in industry affairs and it should be welcomed by all parties concerned.— From an editorial by Martin J. Quigley.