Movie Makers (Jan-Dec 1929)

IM«»'WIE Itl/mKCEICS is almost essential to use loose leaf sheets and binders but it is not necessary to use the expensive special sheets prepared by the makers of the binders. Get binders that will take the regulation letter size sheet, which is eight and one-half by eleven inches. Get fairly stout paper, preferably in three colors, and get the local printer or stationer to punch these for the rings of the binders used. The idea of using sheets of three colors, or two colors and white, is to distinguish the three copies. Good colors are primrose, light blue and light pink. Heavy colors like goldenrod, cherry and deep tan should be avoided. In typing the script the sheets should always be used in their regular order. Do not have blue on top one time and pink the next. The best idea is to give the director white, the script clerk blue and the assistant pink. The first step is to maktout the property plot, for "Props" is the first man \i< go into action. The scrijU should be read and re-read until all of the essential props are noted, whether they are directly mentioned or merely suggested. An "essential prop" is one which cannot be dispensed with. It stands to reason that all interior settings, whether built-up scenes or borrowed homes, must be properly dressed. Everything within the range of the lens is a prop but for amateur productions it is not necessary to indicate the furniture unless it is essential. A dining room set, for example, will probably include a table and chairs and a sideboard or buffet. You do not indicate what is on the side Ijoard unless it is essential. If you need a decanter and glasses, with simielhing in the decanter, then this is an essential prop, and should be written in. You use chairs and things in a drawing room, but unless you need a particular type of chair, you let Props get what he can or use what he finds. If a boudoir set requires a jewel casket, which is to be rifled, the casket is written in and the contents listed. If the casket is taken bodily from the AN AMATEUR STAFF Director. Cameraman and Script Clerk of the La .lolia (California) Movie Club room, to appear in other sets or locations, it must be listed in the boudoir and again in every set or location in which it is to appear. Follow the casket, scene by scene, until it finally is dispensed with. It may appear in the script only in two scenes or it may "INDISPENSABLE AIDES" A Complicated Photoplay Would Be Impossible Without the Constant Help of the Script Clerk and Director's Aides I'hclogriiph by I'liruinoutlt be needed in others, as in a long chase in each scene of which the casket must be carried, so it is listed for each of those scenes as an essential. The script should be gone over a dozen times until it is very evideiit that every necessary item has been listed. Then the list is passed to the director for his approval and on to the pro])erty man, who will start to acquire or arrange for these items. The next thing is to lay out the costume plots, one for each character. It is best to be specific, but not too specific. "Afternoon dress," for instance, connotes a cutaway coat and striped trousers, but it is not necessary to specify that the colors shall be black and white stripes when brown and black will do as well. Just write "Afternoon dress for scenes " and fill in the numbers of these scenes. It may be necessary to be more specific in listing the costumes for the women l)ut the chief point here is to be certain that the colors will take well and that tlie pattern worn by some minor character shall not be so pronounced as to detract from the star. An extra in a flashy black and white dress with large checks can throw the star into the background. It is part of the assistant's job to ward off these costume clashes, though these basic principles should be explained to the company verbally rather than carried on each costume sheet. A separate plot should be made out for each character and given the person who is to assume that role. A duplicate should be held and from this (Continued on page 534) 507