The screen writer (June 1946-May 1947)

WHO WORKS FOR NOTHING? manner or for such-and-such players,” the writer is working on speculation in violation of SWG rules if he tailors his story to the studio’s needs. Writers may DISCUSS with executives either their own original ideas or their ideas of how to treat a property owned by the studio. But such discussion properly constitutes a submission of material, and any executive who thereupon asks a writer to put the material on paper or further develop it, contingent on approval, is asking the writer to work on speculation, and the writer who complies is violating the rules of the Guild. While the abuses cited by Mr. Field undoubtedly exist, the writers who go along with them in violation of SWG rules are themselves to blame. All SWG mem¬ bers should call to the attention of the Guild cases where producers request that they thus violate the Guild’s Working Rules.] ★ ★ ★ U. C. L. A. THEATRE ARTS DEPARTMENT The University of California at Los Angeles has announced the creation, beginning with the Fall term, of a Department of Theatre Arts, to be headed by Kenneth Macgowan, contributor to The Screen Writer, one of the editors of The Hollywood Quarterly, and a member of the executive council of the Hollywood Writers’ Mobilization. In announcing the creation of this new department. Pres. Robert Gordon Sproul, of the University of California, stated; “The Los Angeles campus of Cali¬ fornia’s state university is the logical place for a significant contribution to the development of these educationally, socially and economically important agencies of communication.” U. C. L. A. Provost Clarence A. Dykstra added: “Our new department of instruction and research in the mass agencies of communication will be of national significance and scope. The screen, radio, television and theatre are great instru¬ ments of education. Teaching and research in these fields are therefore a valid concern of the University. Close cooperation between the University and these mass communication industries so largely centered in Hollywood should enable us to make an important contribution to the theatre arts.” Kenneth Macgowan gave the following details on the new university depart¬ ment: “The decision of the University of California to establish a Department of Theatre Arts is a recognition of the intrinsic values inherent in these arts, and of the need of developing better understanding of them and mature standards for them. We will offer a broad, inclusive program of instruction and research in the three main divisions of the department — motion pictures, theatre and radio, with television to be added later. We are planning for a theatre, including a drama workshop and sound stages, as a part of the essential equipment.” Macgowan went on to state that the Department would cooperate with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the major broadcasting networks — and it may be presumed that the major Hollywood Guilds will also be called upon for their cooperation. Prior to this appointment, Macgowan had been a Hollywood producer for some fifteen years, taking time out in 1941-42 to be director of production of the Motion Picture Division of the Office of Inter-American Affairs. He is the author of such books as The Theatre of Tomorrow, Continental Stagecraft, Masks and Demons, and Footlights Across America. ¥ ¥ JF 41