Moving Picture World (Jul-Sep 1911)

198 THE MOVING PICTURE WORLD Be Explicit but Brief. Follow the general style of this sample scenario, making your synopsis explicit and interesting, but keeping it as short as possible. The synopsis gives the editor in a half page the plot of the play, and if you cannot interest him in the synopsis the scenario will not be read. The sample scenario is not submitted as a model photoplay, but was devised to present most of the points to be discussed in later chapters. The scenario proper should be started on a fresh sheet, no matter how much space is left on the last synopsis sheet. A margin is left on the left hand side of the scenario for scene numbers and to call attention to inserts. A Sample Story. Name and Price or address. Submitted at usual rates. FOR HIS SISTER'S SAKE. A dramatic photoplay in 23 scenes, requiring 4 interior and 7 exterior setting!. Synopsis. Dick Blake, about to go West to take a position on a ranch, aski Nell Horton to marry him. She assents, but her father refuses to give his consent and orders Dick out of the house. That night, while on his way to the telegraph office to wire his acceptance of the offered position, Dick passes the Horton home and sees a burglar working over the safe. He enters the house to discover that the thief is Nell's scapegrace brother. He is surprised by Horton under conditions which lead him to believe Dick to be the thief, and is about to call the police when Nell threatens to shoot herself If he does. Dick is permitted to go, but Nell, not knowing that his silence is to shield her brother, makes it plain that she believes him guilty. Two years later Bob is sent West In disgrace. He is befriended by Dick, now manager of the ranch. He Is wounded In a gambling row in which he is caught cheating, and before he dies, writes a confession of guilt, which is sent to Nell unknown to Dick. She comes West and over Bob's grave they renew their troth. Cast. Nell Horton Lead Dick Blake Lead. About 25 Bob Horton, Nell's Brother. .Younger than Ned. Flashy in dress and manner. In Western scenes, seedy and unkempt. Mr. Horton Mrs. Horton Mendez Mexican Gambler Doctor Western Typo Barkeeper Servant Chinese or Mexican Passengers in 14 and 22, Cowbovs and Mexicans in 15 to 22. Scene Plot. Parlor 1-3-5. Library 2-4-9-11-13. Dick's room 6. Street 7. Exterior with window 8-10-12. Railroad station (eastern) 14. Exterior of :aloon (western) 15-19. Interior of saloon 16-18-20. Bust 17. Exterior of Ranch House 21. Railroad station (western) 22. Grove with grave 23. Start fresh sheet. Name and address. FOR HIS SISTER'S SAKE. Scenario. 1 — Parlor in Horton home. Nell reading — jumps up to greet Dick, who is grave but happy — she sees that there is something important — -he takes letter from pocket and hands her — she reads. On screen — Letter. Dear Dick, There is an opening for you to start as assistant foreman and work up. Report within ten days. Yours, Chester. Back to scene — Nell claps hands — sobers at the thought that Dick must go away — he offers her ring — pretty love scene — she accepts— points to door — Dick pretends to be afraid — both laugh — Dick exits through door. Match exit to next scene. 2 — Library — Horton at desk — looks up with scowl as Dick enters — Dick speaks — Horton angry — furious negative — Dick argues 3 — Parlor as in 1 — Nell listening at door — smile changes to dismay — opens door and exits into library. 4 — Library as in 2 — Dick and Horton arguing — Nell enters and joins Dick in his plea without result — Horton orders thera both from the room — they exit. 5 — Parlor as in 1 — Dick and Nell enter — Nell crying — Dick tries to comfort her — -Mrs. Horton enters — looks perplexed — Dick explains— she comforts Nell — Bob enters — explanations — Bob not Interested — Nell and Dick exit — Bob demands money — mother pleads but gives up the few bills in her purse — Bob exits triumphantly — mother looks after him in distress. Leader — That evening. 6 — Dick's room — Dick pacing floor — pauses — sits at table and writes — reads: On screen — Telegraph blank. George Chester, Elk Horn, Nev. Accept offer. Leaving tomorrow. Dick. Back to scene— Dick lays paper down — gets hat and coat — at door — pauses — turns and takes telegram — exits. 7 — Street (night) Dick comes into picture — pauses — looks otf an though hearing noise — vaults over fence — exits In direction of sound. 8 — Exterior of house with window (night). Shutters closed — Dick steals in — peers through blinds. 9 — Library us Id 2. Scene taken through mask to suggest that it Is what Dick sees through shutters. Bob is bending over safe — his features are not visible. 10 — Back to 8 — Dick throws open shutters carefully — about to climb in. 11 — Back to 9 — Dick enters — Bob rises — presents gun — Dick surprised— Bob brazen — both start as noise is heard — Bob shoves money into Dick's hands — escapes through window — Horton enters— has gun — Dick throws up hands — Nell and Mrs. Horton enter — Nell shocked — Horton sueerlngly points to Dick. 12 — Window as in 8 — Bob listening — smiles. Leader — For his sister's sake Dick is silent. 13 — Back In library — Horton questioning Dick, who refuses to speak — Horton takes up telephone, laying down gun — Nell snatches up gun — points it at her own head — father alarmed — Nell points to phone — Horton reluctantly puts down instrument — Nell lowers gun but retains it — Horton motions Dick to go — he appeals to Nell — she will not listen — Dick exits — Nell faints In mother's arms. Leader — Two years have passed. Bob is sent West In disgrace. 14 — Station platform — Nell and Bob enter — Nell tearful — Bob sullen— Horton enters from station — hands Bob long strip ticket — refuses to say good-bye — train coming — Bob kisses Nell — boards train — train leaves — Nell tearful — Horton moved but tries to keep up appearance of indifference. Leader — The manager of the Cross and Ball ranch comes to town. 15 — Western scene — in front of the Crimson Dog saloon — Bob, Mendez and others loafing in front — Bob guying Mendez, who draws a knife — as he is about to strike Dick enters and catches upraised hand with knife — and as Mendez sees who it Is he slinks away — Dick beckons — ranch buckboard is driven in — Dick wants Bob to come — Bob refuses — asks for money — Dick gives bills from roll — last appeal — Bob still refuses — Dick climbs into buskboard and drives off — Bob waves bills — Invites all hands in to have a drink — all exit into saloon. 16 — Interior of saloon — table in foreground with Bob, Mendez and others gambling — Bob winning and exultant — Mendez ugly — Bob rakes in pot — cards to him — he deals new hand — all drop out but Bob and Mendez — they raise until Mendez calls — with a laugh Bob shows his hand — Mendez grasps Bob's wrist. 17 — Bust showing table with money and hands of Bob and Mendez — Mendez has grasped Bob's right wrist and with his left hand draws out two cards from cuff — releases hand — all hands vanish from scene. 18 — Back to 16 — Mendez and Bob standing. Mendez holds up cards— drops them — grabs gun — other players drop to floor. 19 — Exterior as in 15 — Cowboys and Mexicans as before — all jump up and hustle into saloon — last man pauses at door — Doctor enters scene and exits into saloon — last man follows. 20 — Back to 18 — Bob lies face down across table — cards and money scattered — Mendez stands over him with smoking pistol — others rise from the floor and men from 19 enter with Doctor — Doctor turns Bob over — Barkeeper brings whiskey — given to Bob — he opens eyes — Doctor examines wound — shakes head — Bob speaks — Barkeeper exits — Doctor staunches wound — Barkeeper enters with paper, pen and ink — writes at Bob's dictation. On screen — Letter. Dear Nell: They've got me. Serves me right. Dick Blake has acted like a trump. I might as well confess that I stole the money from Dad and he shielded me. Make it right. Good bye, Back to scene — Bob signs the letter — falls back — Doctor pronounces him dead — Men take Mendez off — tableau. 21 — Ranch house — Dick on piazza — cowboy rides into picture — gives Dick telegram — Dick reads: On screen — Telegram. Richard Blake, Elk Horn, Nev. Am arriving 3.20. Please meet me. Nell. Back to scene — Dick calls servant, who brings coat and hat from house — cowboy comes up with pony — Dick meunts and rides out of picture. 22 — Western railroad station — Dick enters — train comes — Nell alights — in mourning — Dick greets her with tender respecttakes satchel and leads off scene — loungers regard her with pity. 23 — Lonely spot — fresh grave with rude headstone— Dick enters with Nell — points to grave — -she breaks down — collects herself— places flowers on grave — Dick watches her with pity — Nell rises — offers paper: On screen — Flash a few feet of Bob's letter (now signed) to identify. Back to scene — -Dick gravely returns letter — she looks appealingly at him as though asking forgiveness for her doubts — he takes her into his arms — kisses her once, reverently — they look down at grave and, moved by a common impulse, they kneel. CANADIAN FEATURE CORONATION PICTURES. From the Family Theater, Ottawa, Canada, we receive a sumptuous program rendered in that theater on July 5, under the auspices of the St. George Society, the Sons of England and the Boy Scouts. Earl Grey, the Governor-General of Canada, also honored the gathering with his presence and the function created quite some talk in the local press. We congratulate Manager Ken. Finlay on his brilliant success. Mr. Charles Farrell, the promoter of motion picture theaters in Buffalo, N. Y., has recently installed Motiograph machines, compensarcs, Lang's Rewinders and other acces.cories since June 10th in the Unique, Riverside, Liberty, Fillmore Sycamore, Palace and Cazenovia theaters. Mr. Farrell is a live wire in the picture business, selling motiograph machines, mirror screens, opera chairs, and also bui!d:ng theaters.