The Motion Picture Story Magazine (Aug 1913-Jan 1914)

THE PHOTOPLAY CLEARING HOUSE 175 Duffield Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. Announces the completion of its seventh month as authors' critic, advisor and broker. And we can now state that we have become permanently established as an important fixture in the business, as well as a close ally of the leading studios. We have successfully handled over 2500 plays, and have on file over 1000 voluntary letters of appreciation from pleased patrons. THE PHOTOPLAY CLEARING HOUSE includes in its service: How to Go About It, Where to Market Your Product, How to Revise and Cure Its Weak Points, The Kind of Manuscripts Wanted, An Intimate Association with the Manufacturing Requirements. Among the present wants of the studios we can announce an immediate demand for halfor split-reel comedies, and dramas of two reels or more. Multiple-reel production commands a double or even larger price, and partly thru our efforts the scale of prices is constantly increasing. The field is now more lucrative for experienced authors to enter, and we appeal to them as well as to beginners. The idea sells, not the name. RECENT TESTIMONIALS FROM PATRONS AND STUDIOS. After a second reading we have decided to purchase "Slim Trusts a Friend," and you will receive our check some time within the next ten days. We are holding for further consideration "The Tiny Barrier" and "Big-Hearted John." You will find that we will be glad to purchase scenarios from the Photoplay Clearing House, and we are desirous of obtaining strong two-reel dramas and melodramas, and whenever you submit to us material that we like you will find that we are glad to purchase your scripts. With best wishes for your success, LOT^ELLA O. PARSONS, Editor of Scenarios, Essanay Film Mfg. Co. The Hudson Maxim scenario was handed to me by our Manuscript Department with the following notation * * * After reading the scenario, I wrote on the slip the following * * * rphjg was my krjgf notation. I would say in writing to you that it would be a shame to make a one-reel picture under the name of such a world-wide genius as Hudson Maxim. I would like to see this Maxim story in two or three reels, both for Mr. Maxim's sake and our own. Will you, therefore, see what can be done in this direction? Nothing is too big in the way of effects for us to accomplish. We will, if necessary, blow up a full-sized schooner, and, following that, a real excursion steamboat. I know where I can buy one of the old — ■ River boats for a reasonable price. I merely give you these suggestions for what they are worth. Please do something with this, and do it quickly, so that we can get this picture made during September. Yours very truly, THE VITAGRAPH COMPANY OF AMERICA, J. Stuart Blackton, Vice-President and Secretary. I want to ask your pardon for my delay in giving you an answer on the scenarios that were submitted to me, but I have been kept close to our country plant for the last five weeks, where we are building a new factory, and have been into the city very few times. I assure you if there is any possible scenario that we can use, we will do so. Also wish to state that we have not stopped buying any outside scenarios, regardless of whom we have here in our Scenario Department. I. M. LOWRY, General Manager, Lubin Manufacturing Co. I want to thank you in the first place for publishing Miss Billie West's picture, and I assure you that any service I can be to you it will be a pleasure to me to do so. I'm going to stay with the Majestic Co. for a good while, and with changes in your favor, I assure you that I will use the scenarios the Photoplay Clearing House sends in. I just finished the Clearing House's "The Greater Love" — very good picture. Mr. Henderson looks upon your scripts very favorably. ALBERT W. HALE, Producer, Majestic Motion Picture Co. Yours of the 26th containing Majestic Co.'s check received, and wish to thank you for same. Enclosed you will find the two copyright waivers, duly signed. I am sending you under separate cover another scenario, which I trust you will take care of. I expect to do quite a bit of business with vou in the near future. 324 Bedford Ave., Brooklyn. PHILIP T. GABEL. In line with yours of the 28th inst., I have signed and am enclosing herewith contracts with the Vitagraph Company, covering sale of my photoplay, "The Recovery of the Nancy Lee," for $2."i.OO. I assure you of my appreciation of your attention and assistance in this matter. 1716 13th Ave., So., Birmingham, Ala. Y. P. LEWIS. I must confess I was unaware of your continuous and painstaking methods in consummating a sale, and wish to apologize for any undue haste on my part. 1 am positive you are doing the utmost and trust it will be successful. Assuring you of my sincerest thanks, I remain, edward c Mcdonald. 210 Albany Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. Thank you so much for the fifty-dollar check for "The Hero of the Air." I feel a very personal gratitude to you and the Photoplay Clearing House for the Aladdin's lamp you have rubbed for me the last month or two — six scenarios in as many weeks. You are the first agency to put my fad on a paying basis, and you certainly have swelled my bank account rapidly since I began with you. I believe it is because you take every manuscript as a personal friend and deal with it so tactfully. Then, of course, your intimacy with the studios is a great factor in your success. However it is, I certainly thank you for your energy, wisdom and promptness in placing my own work with the studios. HAROLD CALHOUN. Concourse Court, Fcrdham Rd., Bronx. And so on thru a long list of pleased patrons and studios. THE PLAN OF THE PHOTOPLAY CLEARING HOUSE. We are intimately connected with the Motion Picture business and in close touch with the manufacturers. We are advised of all their advance releases, their requirements and the kind of scripts they want. As suitable ones come to us, in salable shape, they are immediately sent to the proper studio. No stale, imperfect or copied plots are submitted. All photoplaywrights are invited to send their Plays to this company, advising as to what manufacturers they have been previously submitted, if any. Every Play will be treated thus: It will be read by competent readers, numbered, classified and filed. If it is, in our opinion, in perfect condition, we shall at once proceed to market it, and, when we are paid for it, we will pay the writer 90% of the amount we receive, less postage expended. If the Scenario is not in marketable shape, we will so advise the author, stating our objections, offering to return it at once, or to revise, typewrite and try to market it. IF THE MANUSCRIPT IS HOPELESS, WE SHALL SO STATE, and in some cases advise a course of instruction, naming various , books, experts and schools to select from. Fee for reading, criticism and filing, $1.00 (multiple reels, $1.00 per reel), but to readers of THE MOTION PICTURE STORY MAGAZINE it This Coupon is will be only 50c, provided the annexed Coupon accompanies each script; / good for5o cents. for multiple reels, 50c. per reel. For typewriting, a charge of $1.00 for .-•' When accompanied each Play will be made, provided it does not run over 10 pages. 10c. ,.-" with 50 cents more it a page for extra pages. The fee for revising will vary according .--' will entitle holder to to work required, and will be arranged in advance. No Scenarios .-•'' .list one single-reel scena will be placed by us unless they are properly typewritten. Pay ,.-'' ri° . with the Photoplay ment in advance is expected in all cases. Return postage .-' Clearing House, should be included, and foreign contributors should allow .-'' phftinn|... rifl,„.Mn Li~..* for U. S. exchange. Enclose P. O. order, stamps, checks. ,"' * h' Dt°P 'f y Cleanng House, or money with manuscripts. 1c. stamps accepted. 175 Nuffield St., B'klyn, N. Y.