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

A LINK BETWEEN STUDIO AND AUTHOR THE MISSION OF THE PHOTOPLAY CLEARING HOUSE Such an institution has long been needed, and, after discussion with the heads of the leading studios THE PHOTOPLAY CLEARING HOUSE was established. It announces the completion of its ninth month as authors' critic, adviser, representative and literary agent, and has successfully handled over 4,000 plays or scenarios. We have received fully 1,500 voluntary letters of appreciation from pleased patrons, and we believe we have sold more photoplays and at a higher price than all other similar individuals or companies combined. We are under the supervision of The Motion Picture Story Magazine as a guarantee of our efficiency and reliability, and include in our 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 the demand for first-class comedy is ten times as large as the supply, 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. Enclosed herewith I hand you copy of a letter this day sent to Mr. Charles N. Hamion, who sent us five comedy scenarios, which were not quite our class, and requested us to turn them over to some capable person to re-edit. As I did not care to do this, I returned the scenarios to him as per the enclosed letter, recommending your work. PHILIP A. J. COLMAN, Scenario Editor, Pilot Films Corporation. Our directors insist that their needs are comedy farces or straight farces and high-class society dramas, good, new ideas, and stories with a "punch" to them. We might add that you have our assurance that any scripts submitted to us by you will have consideration and will be read before any others received by us. BEN GOETZ, Studio Manager, The Crystal Film Company. Thank you very much for the criticism of my scenario, "Hop Sing Rewarded." I quite agree with you regarding the title, and I greatly appreciate the rest of your remarks, as I told you that I was a beginner in scenario writing, and I can readily see the wisdom of your advice and shall try to profit by it in the future. I am so glad that you want other manuscripts from me, for that is encouraging in itself. DOROTHY DEANE BENEDICT. Berkely Hotel, Minneapolis, Minn., June 18, 1913. Have just received the check ($25.00) ; many thanks. Enclosed find "The Mountain," which I think is difftrent. Is there a possibility of finding out when "SelfSacrifice" will be played in San Francisco, and where? JEFFREYS DE LA MONTANYE. 1900 Vallejo St., San Francisco, CaL Gentlemen : I am to-day in receipt of your land letter advising me of the sale of my photoplay, No. 993, for $50.00. I am delighted with the manner in which you have handled this script and consider it a fortunate day indeed that I first sent to you for advice and help. It is needless to add that in the future all my scripts will be placed in your competent hands. Enclosed you will find the copyright waivers, signed as you suggested, and again thanking you for your kindness, believe me, Yours for success, ALICE M. ROBERTS. 1404 McKinney Ave., Houston, Texas. Gentlemen : We are holding for further consideration four of the submitted manuscripts, entitled "Freshman's Revenge," "The Anti-Kissing Law," "The Ransom" and "Was He a Hero?" We have accepted the scenario "The Judge's Story." Enclosed herewith find a release for same, which kindly have the author sign personally, and on receipt of the release a check for $25.00 will be mailed to you in payment thereof. UNIVERSAL FILM MANUFACTURING CO., Pacific Coast Studios, James Dayton, Scenario Editor. Gentlemen : I have your communication of the 30th inst. informing me that you have sold one of my photoplays, "The Three Brave Men," to the Selig Co. I am much pleased with your success as a selling agent, and I hope in the future to place more manuscripts with you. Signed copyright waivers enclosed. JACOB MUMENTHALER. 105 E. 16th St., Paterson, N. J. My Dear Mr. La Roche: Your script entitled "Doctor Polly" received. I am sending it to Mr. Harry L. Salter, who directs all of Miss Florence Lawrence's productions. If he likes it, he will, of course, purchase it. With all good wishes, UNIVERSAL FILM MANUFACTURING CO., Calder Johnstone, Editor, Scenario Department. Gentlemen : I am in receipt of your favor of yesterday advising of the sale, to the Solax Company, of the scenario, "Diamond Lill." I herewith return the two copyright waivers, duly executed, and with them an expression of appreciation of your services in effecting the sale. The occupation is very congenial, and, with criticisms from the experts of the Photoplay Clearing House such as I had in this "Diamond Lill" production to aid me, I am now encouraged to believe that I might make a fair success of the work. noping that I may receive in the near future notice of the sale of each one of the other three scripts of mine which you are endeavoring to market, I am, CHAS. M. HOWELL. 1829 Cropsey Ave., Brooklyn, N. Y. And so on thru a long list of pleased patrons and studios, which we will announce as space permits. 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 !S 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 will be only 50c, provided the annexed Coupon accompanies each script; for multiple reels, 50c. per reel. For typewriting, a charge of $1.00 for each Play will be made, provided it does not run over 10 pages. 10c. a page for extra pages. The fee for revising will vary according to work required, and will be arranged in advance. No Scenarios will be placed by us unless they are properly typewritten. Payment in advance is expected in all cases. Return postage ncluded, and foreign contributors should allow ..--' Photoplay Clearing House should be for U. S. exchange. Enclose P This Coupon is good for 50 cents. When accompanied with 50 cents more it will entitle holder to list one single-reel scenario with the Photoplay Clearing House. O. order, stamps, checks, or money with manuscripts. 1c. stamps accepted. 175 Duffield St., B'klyn, N. Y.