Hands of Hollywood (1929)

The Story merely the highlights of the story but the highlights of the story from a pictorial standpoint. With originals, it is sufficient to check on a printed form: "Interesting Theme," "New Situation," "Suitable for Certain Star," etc. In addition, the reader may write a few explanatory comments. After this work has been done, the stories go to the chief reader, who decides what stories are especially suited to the needs of the particular studio. When the stories leave the chief reader, they pass through the hands of many individuals: scenario writers, supervisors, directors, production managers, producers, and, in some cases, the stars themselves. There are so many factors which enter into the consideration of stories that no two studios use the same procedure. The phrase "story conference" defies definition. It has happened, even after the reader, the chief reader, the scenario editor, an important continuity-writer, a director, and two or three supervisors, have approved a story, that some high official of the studio steps in with the decision that the story is not to be made. Qualifications of Readers: Knowledge of screen requirements, limitations and possibilities. Knowledge of existing censorship laws. Ability to determine what dialog in a story or play will lend itself effectively to the requirements of the Talkers. Ability to read quickly and to retain what has been read. Ability to visualize, i. e., to picture the scenes of a story or play which can be photographed. (Though these qualifications are necessary, for a beginner in this work, all that is required is ordinary good judgment.) Salaries of readers range from $35.00 to $75.00 per week. SCENARIO EDITOR The scenario editor is in charge of all the writers in the scenario department. He approves the purchase of original stories and of published stories, plays, novels, etc., for adaptation. He also approves the finished adaptations and continuities. He works in an advisory capacity on the writing of all scripts, [25]