How to Write Moving Picture Plays (1915)

DEFINITIONS OF TECHNICAL TERMS Action — The movements, gestures, and expressions of actors necessary to acting of play. Also called “scene action” and “stage business.” Break — Full explanation of “breaking a scene” in Section 17. Business— See Action. Bust Scene — Full explanation in Section 19. By-play — Scene action of minor importance. Censorship — See Section 8. Climax — See Section 23. Comedy — A humorous play; one causing laughter. Comedy Drama — A drama with a humorous vein. Director — One who directs the producing of a play. Drama — A serious play, usually containing a problem appealing to the emotions; a play requiring serious thought. Editor — The person employed by producing company to read all plays received and pass upon their merits. Exit — Departure of an actor from the picture. Exeunt — Plural form of the word “exit.” Exterior — A scene played outdoors. Farce Comedy — Lowest form of comedy; absurd, ludicrous, unreal; not true to real life; highly exaggerated. Feature Plays — Usually two, three, or four reels, and exceptionally good ; the very best. Film — A transparent strip of celluloid upon which the pictures are produced. Heart Interest — An appeal to the emotions. Insert — Any matter shown during action of a scene outside of the real scene action; letters, telegrams, etc. Interior — A scene played indoors. Lead — Parts played by the principal actors. Leader — See Section 17. Locale— A French word meaning the place of action. Make-up — The costumes, wigs, paint, etc., used by actors in portraying the different characters. Manuscript — The written photoplay; also called “script.” Abbreviation of “manuscript” is MSS. Mask Scene — See Section 19. Matching a Scene — See Section 20. Melodrama — Abounding with dramatic situations, hairbreadth escapes, villainous plots, heroic rescues from death, etc. Multiple Reel — A photoplay exceeding one reel in length. Padding— Term used by editor when necessary to “fill in” with additional business to make play more complete or to add length. Pantomime — Acting by means of gestures and movements, without use of words. Photoplay — A story told in photographic action. (See Section 3.) Photoplaywright — One who writes photoplays. Plagiarism — See Section 10. Play Reader — Same as Editor. Properties— See Section 21. “ Punch ” — The portions of play which appeal ; vigorous ; full of force. Reel — See Section 26. Rejection Slip — The printed slip enclosed when producer rejects and returns a play. Release— The term used by producers when they place a new film upon the market; they “release it.” Scenario — See Section 16. Scenario Editor — See Editor. Scene — See Section 19. Scene Action — See Action. Scene Plot — See Section 12. Screen — Surface upon which the pictures are shown. Script — See Manuscript. Set or Setting — The background or stage setting used for a scene. Slapstick Comedy — Very low form of comedy; actors stumbling, falling, fighting, chasing, etc. Split Reel — See Section 26. Stage — The portion of studio that comes within range of camera when scene is being acted. Stage Business — See Business. Studio — The place where photoplays are acted and films produced. Sub-title — See Section 17. Synopsis — See Section 14. Synopses — Plural of “synopsis.” Theme — The plot or idea of the photoplay. Title — See Section 13. Tragedy — A serious play, usually resulting fatally, or with loss of life. Vision Scene — See Section 19.