Picture Play Magazine (Oct-Nov 1915)

30 PICTURE-PLAY WEEKLY ONE WRITER'S VIEWPOINT. In response to our request that he send us his viewpoint on scenario writing in general, James M. Douglas, a Stamford, Conn., photo-playwright, sends us the following comments : "The first thing I will take up is the difficulty in handling my. first script. To tell the real truth, I hadn't any except the extraordinary experience of having seen the same theme on the screen about a week after the script had been sent out by me. The details of the plot were worked out a little differently, of course, but the main features were so like my own that I knew it would have no chance in the world of acceptance, and even if it bad, I didn't want it, because editors might think I had copied, and therefore do me harm, so I decided to 'pigeonbole it' as the best thing to do. "'I must say that my experiences with the film companies so far had been entirely satisfactory. Some companies have been good enough to say that they are running special features, and to try other companies. Another will say that there are companies looking for just such a plot as I had sent, but which they were not running themselves at present. ''About the writing of a script: I take particular pains with each one I send out, often writing each one over three or four times before it passes muster, for. after all, a man who has seen plays on the screen is. or should be. one of the best judges of his own work, and should ask himself, Now, would you be satisfied with that if you saw it on the screen? So, unless I can say of each script, as it would appear on the screen, It was not half bad, or, It was all right, it does not leave my hands. "Of course we all know that editors make mistakes. They occasionally pass a script that should have been condemned at the start, and reject those that are good. They are only human, and try to make their mistakes as few as possible. At the same time, I hope that when an editor O." K.'s my work he will have on his best thinking cap and accept it for its true worth. "I don't think the technic of a photo play need bother an amateur. The excellent example given in one of your issues ought to be sufficient for any one to master that part of it. The main thing to my mind is the plot, and, second, continuity of action. I try to have every scene fit into the other without the least break because I know what it is to sit out a picture and wonder at the end what it was all about. I also underline all leaders in red ink and make them as strong as possible to catch the eye of the editors." Answers to Readers. Doctor C. Baker. — We are verysorry we cannot give you any information regarding the film you mention, but as it is an industrial, very probably, we have no knowledge of who made or released it. H. Lippman. — A list of film companies' addresses will be found in our issue of September 4th, which may be secured at the regular price from the publishers. All of the companies we mention will consider good material from outside writers. H. Winters. — Every week we publish a list of companies who are in the market at just that time. A complete file of these wants will give you a full market record. The publishers of Picture-Play Weekly have the back numbers. Miss Anna Fleck. — There could be no objection to the use of a song verse you yourself composed as a leader for a photo play, unless the editor to whom you sent the script was prejudiced against such leaders. W. S. Her.mes. — If the copyright has expired on the poem, any person is at liberty to use it, but it would be no more than fair to get in touch with the author first and ask his permission. No royalty would have to be paid. H. C. Kunklemax. — All successful writers were at one time beginners, and all beginners that' persevere and workwill in time become professionals. There certainly is every opportunity in the world for a beginner to secure a studio position if he makes good. Miss A. K. Bohm. — We are sorry we cannot mention any writer just now who would like to collaborate with you. It would be better if you secured a copy of PicturePlay Weekly for July 24th, and worked out your plots along the lines of the sample scenario in that issue. Then the script would be your own work, ai:d you would not have to share the profit with any one. C. V. Mow at. — In next week's issue we will treat the technical matter which you mention. S. M. Vogal. — The synopsis for a five reel feature has no specified lengi j Just tell your story as concisely as pol sible without sacrificing its dramat value. You mean scenes instead < scene plots laid in the orange gro\| do you. not? If you do, we would al vise you to run other action scenes 1 between the five, so as to break the up. The interior sets, like the synopsi is not limited, but should be kept dov. as low as is convenient. Minor characters, who do not figure in the plot itsel' are never placed in the main list of cha> acters, but they should be mentione some place, so that the director wr know they are required. There is n need for copyrighting a scenario, as th reliable companies will not steal it. Miss Helen Straus. — See the answc to W. K. McKolloch in this departmen F. Jackley. — There is practically n market for a scenario which is an adar tation from a Bible incident, whether i be one or nine reels. Costume play are hard to make, and also expensivi We can mention no company in th market for such a play at the presen time. F. C. Rowley. — Address the secretaH of the Photo-play Author's League c America, Candler Building. Los Angele California. The matter of binding th< Inquest Clubs in New York State to gether does not seem quite practical though we think it might be done. I is not necessary to quote the names o your characters in the scenario. Live-wire Market Hints. Melies Manufacturing Company, 32c; Lexington Avenue, New York, N. Y.< is making Knickerbocker Star feature:' for the general program, and require^ strong, three-reel scenarios for this purpose. It also will buy one-reel comedies. The photo-play rights to book and short stories are acceptable to this firm if the work submitted meets with the requirements of their editor. The Kalem Company, 235 Westl Twenty-third Street, New York, N. Y.J will consider strong three or four-reel American dramas which offer a star part for a Broadway star, and several good supporting roles for their stock players. The "Ham" comedy series and the "Hazards of Helen" railroad pictures also need material, and those familiar with them on the screen may sell if they pattern their work after those that have been done, giving fresh ideas and plots.