Picture Play Magazine (Mar-Aug 1916)

Hints for Scenario Writers 301 porate any inanimate object into a scenario. If you know other writers, get together with them and talk over your work. It is enjoyable and profitable. It is well to avoid dialect in writing subtitles, unless it is absolutely necessary to characterize a part or to carry plot action. Careful thought, before starting to write, saves much disappointment and labor after a subject has been completed. We have said that before, and will say it again. When you get a letter from some one who is trying to sell you something you don't want to buy, you throw it away. So does the editor. One thought which comes to the mind by itself may be as valuable as a dozen which have to be sought. Many wTriters know that the scenario game is a business as well as an art, but few seem to appreciate the fact. LIVE-WIRE MARKET HINTS. The Edison Company, Bedford Park, New York, has withdrawn from the General Film Company, and for the present, at least, will make only features of five reels. This means that the market will be closed for the smaller scripts for a while. It will doubtless open up again, however. The Kalem Company has secured the services of Rose Melville, the original "Sis Hopkins," and there might be a possibility of selling a typical ''Hopkins" script to this concern. The subjects are to be one-reelers. Kalem's address is No. 235 West Twenty-third Street, New York, N. Y. One of the companies of the western branch of the Universal Film Manufacturing Company, located at Universal City, California, has been sent to the Orient under the direction of Henry McRae to make pictures in that locale Scenarios of this type are in immediate demand, and, should the officials of the company decide to establish a permanent studio in that part of the wrorld, a new held will be opened up to the writers of scripts. One, two, and three-reelers are needed at present. ANSWERS TO READERS. M. W. P. — Essanay is not buying any outside material at the present time, and we understand that Mr. Chaplin and his associates supply their own material. As far as we can learn, /Augustus Thomas is in no way connected witn Famous Players. You may have Hugh Ford in mind. He is one of their directors. WTe believe the reason that your Russian play did not land was because the companies really do not produce plays of this kind unless they are adapted from a well-known novel. A costume play costs about twice as much as a modern play to produce, and unless its name has heavy advertising value, the financial returns are seldom satisfactory. We believe that the editors are conscientious in their work, though there may be exceptions to the rule. The editors who shirk their work soon lose their positions, the same as any other person who is not pleasing his employer. We do not doubt but what some of the companies would pay you for the suggestion you have in mind. We thank you for the thought regarding the contest, and will give it careful consideration. J. C. Hen nelly. — See answer to J. M. Fiddock in this issue of the department. Miss E. M. Jones. — If you will send a self-addressed, stamped envelope, we shall be glad to send you our market booklet, which contains all information regarding the market for scenarios. The amount of action used determines the length of a reel. We believe it will be worth while for you to make an effort to have your scenarios typewritten