Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-16
SUNDAY MAGAZINE FOR. OCTOBER 10. 1910
Motion Pictures
Continued
Continued from page 9

Here was a royal scoop! How delighted
his old chief would be to get hold of such
stirring story Seeing that the hands of the
clock above his head on the wall pointed to
twelve-forty, and realizing that all morning
papers would go to press soon. ne madly
called up his old offices and told the editor
that he was on his way up with one of the
greatest scoops in years.
Then he entered upon one of those stirring
races against time which can be shown so
effectively through the medium of the NOV
ing picture. First one sees Hendrickson rum
ming along the deserted streets of New York's
financial district, stumbling, falling in the
rain, picking himself up, and continuing the
mad rush. Then are shown glimpses of the
pressrooms of the paper. where the men
are feverishly waiting round the big ma
chimes, ready to turn on power and grind out
the enormous editions. Next the editorial
rooms, with editors and reporters standing
excitedly in little groups, each man looking
at his watch and all wondering whether
Hendrickson would get to the Office on time.
Of course Fate smiled kindly upon the
young man, and just as the managing editor
had lost all patience and was about to issue
orders to release the last form to the presses,
in plunged Hendrickson, his hat gone, his
collar up and around his ears, his clothes
mud stained and rain soaked; but he had
the story! And, throwing himself before
typewriter, he dashed it off, and, triumph
antly handing it over to his old chief, lad
the satisfaction of receiving cordial hand
shake of approval and position at one Of
the desks.
The scenes of the scenario were decidedly
realistic; taken, it might be added. in the
pressrooms of one of New York'S papers, as
we'll as along Wall and Broad-sts.
Low Prices for Stories
PUT, great as the progress the film peo
- pie have made in the matter of scena-
rios, there is room for still further improve
ment. AS yet the manufacturers do not hold
out sufficiently large inducements to attract
| the best talent.
A good story is told of two we'll known
magazine men who were asked by repre-
sentative of some film manufacturers to
| write up a series of scenarios for them.
A few weeks ago these two men were sit
| ting in a clubroom where they frequently
met for lunch. A debonair individual ap-
preached. effusively greeting one with whom
he was acquainted. Assuming the air of
benefactor, the newcomer talked of "easy
money" "All we want" he said, "is the
| bare outline of the story laid out in scenes.
Six hundred words is enough. A hundred
dollars is the price am authorized to offer"
ne QeDOIldlT INDIVIDUAL, 50 lilt STORY IuIlS,
appeared to be greatly surprised that neither
one of the pair grasped his hands. They
merely looked at each other and grinned.
AS the editor of one of the leading publica-
tons explained, a scenario that will make a
| full reel will also make magazine story of
eight to ten thousand words, for which a
writer of good standing may receive five
cents word. If the story is good enough to
be thus rated. it stands good chance of be-
ing noticed by other editors; to bring re-
| quests for other contributions. If the story
happens to make favorable impression on
the editor of a dramatic company, or star.
and is dramatized, it may bring little for
tune in royalties. The insuffciently paid
hack writer is therefore relied upon for most
of the moving picture ideas. The result is
melancholy mediocrity.
If the manufacturers, however, have been
slow to recognize the value of real talent
in the conception of an idea for scenario,
their eyes have slowly been opened to the
absolute need for good work in the producing
end of the business. and as a consequence
we often see fitting back and forth across
the muslin stage of motion picture theater
actors an actresses we'll known to Broad
way audiences. Arthur Donaldson. the
original Prince of Pilsen, participates occa-
sionally in the silent drama. David Hum