The screen writer (June 1947-Mar 1948)

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EDITORIAL motion pictures and who understand that the optic nerve is the shortcut to the brain. These beliefs are buttressed by the results of the recent questionnaire sent by the Editorial Committee to all readers of The Screen Writer. A tabulated analysis of these results and a commentary on them will be found on page 29 of this issue. We consider it pertinent to call attention here to the answer of SWG members to this question: "Is the magazine succeeding or failing in its objective to provide the SWG and the motion picture industry with an adult, constructive public relations medium emphasizing the contribution of writers and their creative aims to the screen art?" Out of 420 Guild members who answered that question, 380 replied that the magazine was succeeding in that objective, and 40 replied that it was falling short. Another indication of interest in and support for the magazine on the part of SWG members : In answer to the question, "As a contribution to the Guild and its magazine would you be willing to accept assignments to do articles?" 390 replies were received ; 364 said yes, 26 said no. Replies from non-member readers — educators, editors, drama and film critics and writers in other fields — concerning the success and value of the magazine have been so almost uniformly appreciative that the Editorial Committee read them with a mixed glow of gratitude and embarrassment. In the June, 1946, issue when The Screen Writer began its second year of publication, this editorial statement appeared: The first objective of the magazine — that of providing a vehicle of free expression — has been a difficult one to define. Certain articles have been rejected precisely because of the ideas they expressed. In framing a policy for such rejections, the Editorial Committee has concluded that an article which assumes a basic anti-Guild position has no place in a Guild publication. Since the outside market for anti-Guild and anti-labor pieces is extremely wide and profitable, it was felt that no invasion of the right of free expression was involved in such rejections. The second objective of the magazine ■ — -that of achieving recognition for screen writers and their craft — has, in the main) been achieved. Screen Writer articles have served as the basis for full columns in metropolitan newspapers. The magazine has been widely quoted. It has received general commendation. We are still far from the final goal, but we have progressed. With this beginning of the third year of publication, further progress has been made in terms of circulation and recognition. We hope progress has also been made in terms of service to the Guild, to the profession of writing and to the motion picture industry. Final goals must remain far away and dim. But immediate goals have come closer. They have grown more sharply defined. They have been clarified by the generous response to the questionnaire. The 27