Motion Picture News (Jan - Mar 1914)

34 THE MOTION PICTURE NEWS the conditions of the contest. Enclose return postage. Frontier in the Market We were pleased to receive a letter from Karl R. Coolidge, script editor for the St. Louis Motion Picture Company, stating that Frontier is in the market for scripts. Editor Coolidge writes: "We want strong one-reel Western and Spanish dramas, and one-reel comedies for Mr. Nelson in his 'Slim' series. I have made the rule that all photoplays, unaccompanied by a return stamped and addressed envelope, will be sent back to the author, but unread. We want the unusual story, full of heart interest, and clean. There is no use in authors submitting the every-day mediocre stuff, as I can write that myself any day in the week, but I do not get an unusual germ just whenever I want it. Further, we want the synopsis to be snappy and clear, and not in minute detail. In fact, we are willing to consider the synopsis only. If the situation is there we can develop the story. As to Westerns, we are striving to do away with the 'blood-and-thunder' story, unless it is the unusual twist. The rainy season is on in California and I know that with us — and probably with all others — stories which call for few or no interiors, have a far better chance of acceptance than equally good stories that call for numerous or elaborate interior sets. Please emphasize the fact that all photoplays should be sent to Santa Paula, California, and not to St. Louis or to Albuquerque." We understand the St. Louis Motion Picture Company is paying excellent prices. The Town of Ashland The town of Ashland, Ohio, contains about five thousand souls. About twenty-four thousand people reside in the entire county. Yet thriving Ashland boasts of a college for motion picture players; the "largest manuscript house in the world," and a "correspondence school for photoplay authors." Happy, happy Ashland! Writing the Synopsis Write your synopsis last. If you don't you are apt to overlook some vital points that would arrest the editor's attention. Whether you keep your synopsis in two hundred, three hundred or three hundred and fifty words, dress it carefully, revise it, incorporate the strong points of your story — the "punch" — and make the synopsis so attractive that the reader will sit up and take notice. Then the script in detail will be carefully read. Industrial Plots Writing good industrial scenarios is difficult. It took us three years to get our stride. It may sound easy to evolve a multiple reel of "gripping ac tion" on the subject of "You-ShouldHave-a-Biscuit," but try it, that's all Research, study and toil are essentials, but the laborer in the industrial script field is worthy of his hire. One hundred and fifty dollars is no unusual price for a satisfactory two-reel industrial story. This sort of story has its place. The majority would prefer to see the inside workings of United States steel plants, occasionally, as a relief from "chase" comedy. Industrials of the right sort are both educational and interesting. The field for commercial authorship is not overcrowded. The author must prove that he can do the work, and then orders come unsolicited. Extra Money We know of several successful photoplay authors who are making extra money writing home-talent plays. When the "Art Embroidery Club," the "Elks," or the "Woman's Equal Franchise League," in your town determines to stage a hometalent benefit performance, just slip around and offer to write 'em an original sketch or two hitting off the frills and foibles of the community. Frequently, you can interest the promoters and earn $100. If you can write a good photoplay you ought to write a home-talent sketch or two for an evening's entertainment. We know of some who are doing it successfully. " The Ruby of Destiny " K fill ANY exhibitors assembled in the "* beautiful Regent Theatre, One Hundred and Sixteenth street and Seventh avenue, New York City, on Feb. 3 to witness an exhibition of a remarkable six-reel production made by the Milano Company, which has been purchased by Warner's Features, Inc. The film was very enthusiastically received and there were many comments on its her sister to a lieutenant of her court if he will trace the thieves and restore the rub}'. The chase is pushed in all parts of Europe and this accounts for the surprising number of beautiful scenes appearing throughout the entire production. The Grand Canal of Venice, with its picturesque gondolas, the plaza of St. Mark's Cathedral, with its thousands of pigeons, the funicular railroad THE START OF THE HUNT striking departure from the ordinary type of multiple-reel productions. "The Ruby of Destiny" recalls George Barr McCutcheon's Graustark stories, presenting in visualized forms the ups and downs of a European principality. The real story has to do with the mysterious disappearance of a precious ruby which has been in the hands of the royal house of Styr for countless generations. Queen Sylvia promises the hand of — these and many other historical points add interest to a plot of exceptional merit. "The Ruby of Destiny'' should prove to be one of the most successful features yet released by Warner's Features. It has been divided into two chapters, so that three reels can be shown one evening and three the next, or it will constitute a delightful evening's entertainment without showing any additional films.