Motography (Jan-Jun 1913)

March 1, 1913. MOTOGRAPHY 147 What Happens to the Scenario By Mabel Condon CHICAGO, ILL.«__ H-C 31^ We have received from you today the following manuscript: EACH motion picture producing company probably has its own individual method of dealing with the manuscripts submitted for its approval. In dealing with the fortunes and misfortunes of the scenario, from the brain of the author to the film synopsis, we will instance the method employed by the Essanay company. The way of the scenario is devious. If it is accepted the incidents which center around it thereafter are many and varied, and if it is rejected it must try, try again. On the receipt of a scenario its prompt acknowledgement is made by the scenario editor in the way of a printed postcard with the name and reference number of the manuscript inserted. It reads as shown in form 1. The story is read by the scenario editor and, if rejected, is returned to the author with the enclosure indicated in form 2, the reason for its return being checked oft' with a pen or pencil mark, as shown in the example. If the reason for the manuscript's rejection comes after the eighth reason listed, a postcard giving information, as in the following, is also enclosed : Arrange your story in scenario form. A synopsis of about 200 words followed by short scenes. All manuscripts must be typewritten. We are in the market for original dramatic stories with strong strong heart interest for short stories with unusual themes and for bright sparkling high class comedies. We are not soliciting Western scenarios, costume plays, war stories or plays with foreign settings. Our prices vary according to the merit of the story. Address all manuscripts submitted, to the ESSANAY FILM MFG. COMPANY, c/o Scenario Department, 1333 Argyle St., CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. And, as far as the company is concerned, that is the end of that scenario, unless it is rewritten to make the kind of a story for which the company happens to be in the market. But, should the scenario be available, its tale is a happier one. That of "The Gum Man" is herewith instanced. The story, as the scenario editor received it, was neatly typed on five sheets of Robin blue paper, typewriter size and from the general appearance of the copy, it was evidentally the work of someone who had given scenarios and their making careful and valuable thought. At the foot of the first page was the information, "An extra carbon copy of this script will be supplied to purchaser upon request." This is how the scenario read. the author's title was changed) : BY GUM! Rural Comedj . Twenty-four Scenes. terior Settings Required. SYNOPSIS. Fred Smith, chewing gum salesman, stops over at Cobb's which will be given careful consideration. Writers should retain carbon copies of any scenarios submitted us, as we are not responsible for MSS. lost in the mail. Sufficient postage tor return of MSS. must accompany all coptrityiYg^ ii^il^l, rif^rf ri thpy be returned. Yours truly,/ Editor of Scenarios, ESSANAY FILM MFG. CO. 13151333 ARGYLE STREET Should you in< the above sceoarif reference number. itl< Form 1 . (It will be noticed that Four Exterior, Four In Corners to introduce his wares at the general store. A TrubbelJ Hunter, constable, has just "got in" with a Detective Bureau and is highly elated. He has several run-ins with Fred and becomes antagonistic. Fred meets Mamie, hotel waitress and chambermaid. They like each other. Hunter gets word that a notorious burglar, '"Iron-jaw" Pete, is thought to be in the neighborhood. This criminal's distinguishing trait is a fondness for gum-chewing. Fred is suspected. Everything points straight to him, in Hunter's estimation. Next morning a robbery has been committed, a valuable necklace is gone. Fred, ignorant of this, buys a cheap necklace to present to Mamie. Hunter surreptitiously sees the presentation, hastens away for a warrant and hurries back. Meanwhile a friendly hotel clerk has "tipped off" Essanay Your manuscript is returned for the reason checked below: i. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. OVERSTOCKED. NO STRONG DRAMATIC SITUATIONS. WEAK PLOT. NOT OUR STYLE OF STORY. IDEA HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE. ^ WOULD NOT PASS THE CENSOR BOARD. TOO DIFFICULT TO PRODUCE. 8. TOO CONVENTIONAL. 9. NOT INTERESTING. 10. NOT HUMOROUS. 11. NOT ORIGINAL. 12. NOT ENOUGH ACTION. 13. NO ADAPTATIONS DESIRED. 14. IMPROBABLE. 15. NO COSTUME PLAYS, OR STORIES WITH FOREIGN SETTINGS DESIRED. 16. ILLEGIBLE. 17. ROBBERY, KIDNAPPING, MURDER, SUI CIDE, HARROWING DEATH-BED AND ALL SCENES OF AN UNPLEASANT NATURE SHOULD BE ELIMINATED. Yours very truly, ESSANAY FILM MFG. CO., Studio and Laboratories 1333 Argyle St. CHICAGO, ILL. Form 2. Fred, who has easily convinced the clerk of his innocence. Fred proposes a hasty marriage to Mamie; she agrees. As they are ready to start Hunter gets back. In order to get away from him Mamie devises a great scheme. It succeeds and they rush off, leaving Hunter stuck fast BY GUM to a chair. They rush to the station. Hunter, after herculean struggles, drags himself from the chair but the seat comes with him; in this position he hastens to the station in time to grab Mamie and Fred. But the real crook, who had ambled through the story unostentatiously, is now discovered by a trick of fate, and all ends happily for the lovers and embarrassingly for the over-zealous and misguided Trubbell Hunter. CAST. A. Trubbell Hunter "Rube" detective-constable Fred Smith A young chewing-gum salesman Mamie Hotel waitress and chambermaid