Motography (Jan-Jun 1913)

February 1, 1913. MOTOGRAPHY 99 the authors within a week. Scenarios held for consideration will be passed upon within three weeks. This will establish a new standard in the quick handling of manuscripts, and greatly facilitate the work of both authors and editors. The minimum price for script will be $25 for a onereel story with a graduated scale upward, varying according to excellence of plot, perfection of technique and strength and novelty of story. Expert editors and directors will pass upon all scenarios submitted. The best and most competent writers in America and abroad are being solicited to contribute to the Universal Company. As an innovation in photoplay work, announcement is made that hereafter the name of the scenario author will appear in connection with the picture as a finished product. With twenty-one companies in the field, making pictures every day, the Universal demands a wide diversity of plot and story in the scenarios. The various producing organizations are distributed throughout the north, south, east and west, and scenarios requiring scenes typical of any part of the United States or Panama can be utilized. Bright, snappy comedies, virile dramas of eastern and western environment, military and cowboy comedies and dramas are among the principal requirements of the company. Particularly for the mammoth western organization are desired one, two and three-reel scenarios, requiring casts with large ensembles of Indians, cowboys and miners. For the eastern companies comedies and dramas, with a majority of interior settings, together with split reel comedies, are in demand. The stipulation is made that each plot be submitted in regular scenario form only, typewritten on ordinary publishers' "copy" paper, and accompanied by a synopsis not exceeding three hundred words, and including the essential points of the plot, clearly and concisely described. In no instance will an unoriginal scenario be accepted unless the author admits the source from which it is taken nor will consideration be given to an infringement upon a copyright book, magazine or play. As a part of the new plan authors' estimates of the financial worth of his individual productions may be included with the script, and a price will be figured with that stipulated sum as a basis. Famous Players Are Legal Victors The Famous Players Film Company won its suit against the General Film Company, by which the Selig Polyscope Company is restrained from selling, renting or exhibiting its production of Monte Cristo, on the ground that the film was an infringement on the version of the play copyrighted and owned by James O'Neill, the film production of which is controlled by the Famous Players Company. The decision has a far-reaching effect in that it establishes a legal precedent that indicates the copyright status of a dramatic production in its relationship to the motion picture, a question which has heretofore been entirely equivocal, and places the motion picture in a definite and distinct position as a dramatic production. The decision eliminates the assumption prevalent in the film circles that a manufacturer had an ethical and legal right to produce in motion pictures a work which had been copyrighted in play or book form, as long as the film production departed from the copyright version in such scenes or details of action upon which the copyright may have been based, but reproducing the work in essence and spirit without any visible hindrance. By the text and spirit of the present decision, legal authority is advanced which grants a popular novel or play complete copyright protection as respects the work in its entirety and automatically prohibits the film production based upon the theme in question or the original from which it may be derived to so close a detail as the title of the work. Universal Officers and Exchangemen Meet Eleven members of the Independent Exchange Corporation met in New York last week in conjunction with the board of directors of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company to discuss the business relations between the Universal and the exchanges and set forth their demands in regard to future business. The principal objects of the exchangemen's trip to New York were to set forth to the Universal their desire to have more power in the selection of the films they purchase, to have more opportunity to purchase outside films and to secure contracts from the Universal Company which wotfld guarantee them against being put out of business by the Universal at any time the latter saw fit to take over the exchange business in cities in which these men had exchanges. Carl Lemmle, president of the Universal Company, stated that he believed the demands of the exchanges could be met in their entirety and that he thought the contract idea only fair and just. He has arranged for a form of contract to be drawn up at once. These contracts are to be of two years' duration. The meeting was attended by William Oldknow of Atlanta, Joseph Hopp of Chicago, Underwood of Dallas, Tex., Frank Drew of Detroit, I. W. McMahon of Cincinnati, L. Davis of Pittsburgh, S. Markowitz of Los Angeles, J. R. Plough of Chicago, A. F. Beck of St. Louis, Frank Bailey of Butte, Mont., and Joseph L. Marentette of Atlanta. Los Angeles Diamonds Increasing The week of January 13 saw the beginning of another extensive improvement in the plan of the Selig Polyscope Company's western branch in Los Angeles. Property recently acquired immediately north of the studio will be utilized in extending the grounds clear to Duane street, thus giving the plant a fine frontage on three side of the block. The great concrete mission wall which is such a distinguishing feature of the Edendale valley, where the studio is located, will be extended to and along Duane street, and will be parked inside and out, as is the older wall, with grass and flowers. It will encompass a number of new ornate concrete buildings, which are needed to house the increasing equipment and additional acting force of the Selig Pacific Coast establishment. Laughs That Cost Company $25,000 When the Keystone Company releases "The Battle of Who-Run" on February 6, it will claim the distinction of turning out the most expensive comedy reel ever issued to the exhibitor. Fred Mace, the well-known comedian, will play the leading role, and the cost of producing the reel is estimated at $25,000. One of the features is a battle scene with two large armies in opposing array. It is said that $1,000 alone was expended for powder ana" blank cartridges.