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CHAPTER LXV 325 sell that before they write the next, or at least such is their deter- mination, though this is not always adhered to. 4. This is a grave error. Scripts should not be offered for sale until the author is assured a reasonable chance of making a sale. This seldom occurs with the first few scripts, even where the writer is already competent in other lines of literary work. These early scripts are crude and lacking in finish. Editors are quick to note the work of a new author of any promise, and unless the scripts show a rapid and marked improvement interest in that writer will be dropped; an interest he may seek in vain to engage later on when proficiency has come. Long before that time arrives the Editor will have reached the decision that the writer is not worth following. 5. Scripts should not be offered for sale until the author can offer a better grade of story than a staff writer, dulled by working con- tinuously, can turn out. It has been shown that the staff men can better supply the studio with scripts that fit precise needs than the author who works in the dark. The free lance stands a better chance only when he offers a better plot. His work must rise above the grade. If he offers the same old ideas in moderately good action, he has no advantage over the staff man who has the privilege of work- ing from the inside. No script should be offered unless there is a real punch to the idea and novelty of thought as well. If it lacks these it cannot compete with the product of the manuscript depart- ment. 6. With these facts in mind, the author will perceive the advantage of making his first submissions only the best of his work and not all that comes from the machine, and he will hold even these until the lapse of time brings clearer vision and enables him to decide with cooler judgment which is his best. 7. In order to sell intelligently, the market must ,be known. You cannot send an Editor a return envelope and ask him what he wants. One instruction book gives a form letter for this purpose and Edi- tors receive so many of these letters that they pay no attention to any request for such information, nor is there any reason why they should. Most companies have a fairly well marked policy of pro- duction. A study of the product will show what is required. It is not always possible to tell from some particular release just what is wanted, but by averaging the output the general style may be com- prehended. 8. It is not always easy to see much of the product of any one company since only in the large cities are all of the films shown and here one may travel long in search of any particular release, but in the pages of the Moving Picture World each week may be found the complete stories of all the releases. To read up the releases of any one company for a three months period will be enlightening. In this time there may be much that is contrary to the general policy. Sto- ries may be issued a year or more after their manufacture and may