The blue book of the screen (1923)

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THE DRAMATIC SIDE OF COMEDY prove comedy is not "fun" while being made. It is just like the automobile factory, for, although the parts are all there, the mechanic cannot ride around until they are all assembled and gasoline is in the tank. Thus it is with comedy, for not until it is properly edited and titled can we call it a comedy. It is drama in another sense while it goes through the slow and tedious process of production. Hours mean nothing while a picture is being made, for release dates must be met; and an entire studio works throughout the night more than once during the course of a two-reeler. When a certain director is assigned to handle the destiny of a star, a writer is likewise assigned to the unit, and together the star, writer and director compose what will eventually be the entertainment for millions. Many times stories are purchased, and this same trio will work it into a picture. Then follows a long stretch of working in the clever and humorous incidents and sequences; devising original and unique action; preparing for "trick" photography that might be necessary. All this Pic-throwing days were tame compared to these days of strenuous comedy where the mother-in-law hurls the comedian out of the front door. Anticipation of the fall that is coming is not pleasant to the comedian. invariably consumes time which might otherwise be spent in the arms of Morpheus. Throughout the entire producing of the story, writer and director are continually devising and supplying new material. Sometimes a special "gagman" — the name for a writer of snappy, brief comedy happenings that blend into the continuity of the story — is called in to strengthen the picture. Serious work for these men, you'll admit; therefore truly dramatic. Then we are not overlooking the cutting of the film photographed each day. The average two-reel comedy is in more than ten reels when finally photographed in its entirety, and from this vast amount of funny film only two snappy reels must survive. More nights and days are consumed in this undertaking, and only experienced, especially instructed men in this art can faithfully perform this feat. Great care must be taken while these ten reels are being trimmed down to their necessary length. An exceedingly generous knowledge of what should remain and what should be destroyed from this tremendous amount of film makes this another phase of comedy production. No greater care is taken when cutting a lengthy feature than in cutting these two reels — and yet it is only a comedy! The same careful and painstaking attention must be given the advertising, the exploiting, the publicity— everything — of this two-reel comedy as would be given an expensive feature. The campaigns may not be as costly, or as extensive, or as thorough, but intimate knowledge of these great arts is demanded. The same man who exploits and advertises the 355