NAEB Newsletter (May 1935)

NAEB-May-6. ,f We decided that the thing educators must do first to improve the radio programs is to learn how to write excellent scripts.-——V*e talked the matter over with Dr.. W. W. Charters, dean of the School of Education, Ohio State University, and chairman of the Radio Institute since its inception six years ago. He immediately suggested that a meeting of educational script writers be called to discuss their problems at the close of the morning session Wednesday.” EDUCATIONAL SCRIPT WRITERS CONFERENCE (As reported by Miss Blanche Young in a letter to Dr. W, W, Charters) "It was suggested: (l) That we attempt to secure some sample copies of successful scripts from national broadcasters. (3) To have these critically analyzed by some expert. Mr. Allen Miller of Chicago University suggested that Mr. Cooper, Continuity Editor for NBC there might be willing to help us do this. In a conver¬ sation later with Miss ViTaller about this matter, she said that Mr. Cooper would probably be glad to help us in this way, "(3) After this large group of scripts is secured and classified into different types, a list of these with descriptions be made and sent to those who were present at this meeting, so that they can order copies of scripts in which they are inter¬ ested. These scripts are to be used for study purposes only and are to cost probably ton cents to defray the cost of mimeographing and mailing. To do even this much would require not only a great deal of time but expense in postage and secretarial services to care for handling. It was the general vote of those present that I take charge of the organization of a committee and appoint on that committee thoso persons who were determined to be most helpful and who had the time to give to the work. Miss Pauline Gibson of the Scholastic Radio Guild in Pittsburgh offered to help secure different types of scripts since they have already started such a collection at their office. She is, however, now on a leave of absence until August and will not be at her desk in Pittsburgh until that time. However, she will try to collect some scripts from radio stations she happens to visit throughout the west and northwest in her summer travels, "Some such plan to exchange educational scripts was apparently started by Mr. Loucks of the National Association of Broadcasters and'failed because it was discovered that people sent only their second best scripts, saving their best for future sale or use in other ways. Joe Ries, of WLW, offered tho suggestion later in a conver¬ sation that scripts sold to large stations arc sold with one time broadcast rights only and that the station would not have the right to give any one a copy of such scripts. He also said that the bost material on the air is kept by the broadcaster for publication later n or for resale. So unless we can assure the script writers that we want the scripts for study purposes only, we may have difficulties starting such a service. Before writing to ask for scripts, it should be determined definitely how they are to be used. Besides, script:waiters may object to our havin scripts mimeographed for resale even for study purposes* "The idea of having a lending library of scripts was brought up, but it was decided that those present would prefer to pay ten cents for a copy and keep it for use when they were ready, rather than have the bother of mailing back the script at a certain time. "The following suggestions can be carried out, however. 1. To notify the National Association of Educational Broadcasters of this proposed plan and have one of their meetings set aside at the September meeting for a discussion of.the problem. 2. To have an exhibit of sample scripts at the next Institute in Columbus