Screenland (Sept 1922–Feb 1923)

Could You Write a Story Like This ? Could you recognize the vital dramatic situation in this scene — and write a scenario about it ? It is a scene from the Rex Ingram Production (Metro Pictures Corporation), 'The Conquering Power." A great drama built up from a commonplace story. Situations like this are taking place around you every day. Right in your own street, in the house next door, in your home, a great drama is being lived. Why can't you build a plot around it? The successful photodramatists use the simplest themes; the biggest pictures are built around trivial incidents of everyday life. The successful screen writers are men and women who see the dramatic value of everyday occurences. A few years ago these men and women were receiving ordinary salaries for doing humble tasks. Now their incomes are thousands and tens of thousands of dollars yearly. Producers Want Your Stories Producers are anxious for stories. Leaders in the film industry are encouraging new screen writers. The handful of photodramatists writing today cannot fill the demand. Without stories, the photoplay industry cannot exist. The producers cannot get enough good scenarios. Jast a few years ago an author was glad to get $15 for a motion picture scenario. Today the average price paid for a plot synopsis is $1,500. Not Skilled Writers— Just Ordinary Men and Women The successful novelist or short story writer has definitely failed in the motion picture field. Newly trained photodrama Have You Creative Imagination? Do you dream — day dream — make up fascinating stories about strange adventures and queer places and interesting people? Don't you sometimes think that you could have improved the plot of a book or photoplay, or written a more interesting story around its characters? Do you get ideas from every-day incidents and trivial adventures? Haven't you an overwhelming desire to express these dreams which you must suppress and because they seem flat and stale when you write them down? If you have experienced such feelings, you possess creative imagination, the first requisite of a photodramatist. Do not waste this splendid talent. You can transform your ideas into scenarios, satisfy your desire for expression and gain a rich financial reward. tists have written and conceived the plots that have been developed into the most successful feature photoplays. For the most part the men and women who are supplying the stories were, just a few years ago, teachers, clerks, housewives, farmers, office employees. You do not need literary ability. The producers do not want fine writing. They want plots — strong, dramatic plots, written in simple synopsis form. The Fox Plan of Photoplay Writing shows you how to write scenarios just as the producers want them. You cannot tell at this time whether you possess the ability to write photoplays No test or analysis could tell you, for your sense of dramatic perception is undeveloped and your conception of plot is unformed. But it is worth finding out, certainly. For if you want to write stories— if in your day dreams, you make up tales, even tales about yourself — you are creating. And remember, it does not take fine writing, just the instinct to create and a knowledge of photoplay construction. Send for Free Book In a beautifully illustrated, 32-page book, the Fox Plan is coupletely outlined for you. It tells all about your opportunities as a scenario writer. It tells about the great Fox Photoplay Institute backed by motion picture leaders. It shows you what kind of ideas the producers want and how to prepare them for screen use. This book is FREE if you are interested in photoplay writing. Send the coupon today. Fox Photoplay Institute 30 North Michigan Ave. , Dept. 1316 ,Chgo. Fox Photoplay Institute 30 North Michigan Ave., Dept. 1316. Chicago Please send me, without cost, your 32-page book telling about the Fox Plan of Photoplay Writing, and about my opportunities as a screen writer. I understand there is no obligation. Name ■ Addrees City ■ StaU •