The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-01-08
| Edgar w. Townsend in the Outlook.
ffKZN OWING pictures" they were
'IlVI generally called a few years

u\VI generally called a few years
ago, when rushing express
trains. racing horses or marching troops
were shown on the screen. Now it is
more proper to speak of picture plays.
because the present state of this amazing
ly developed industry of entertainment II
largely along the line Of picturing plays
tragedy, drama, comedy and farce-with
all the details of the theatre stage except
sound and variety of color. Color is COM
ing, and the inclusion of sound, the
spoken word. the song, the orchestra, is
within sight and hearing OF the experts
who in many parts of the world are at
work to effect synchronous and convince
ing cooperation of sound and movement
reproducing machines.
When 1 was first asked to write picture
plays, my mind promptly did bit Of pic
ture making on its own account; mem
tally saw as the staging scene for such
work stuffy photograph gallery and a
squad Of undrilled acknowledgements .
modelsl But it was suggested that be-
fore deciding upon the offer / visit the
companys studio in the Bronx. found
at the Bronx establishment q stage twice
as large as that of the Metropolitan opera
house, large enough, indeed, for the pro-
duction OF two plays at one time, as IL
sometimes found necessary.
Here we are, then, roomy stage with
its paint bridge, as in the real theatres.
suspended high against the back wall, all
the familiar mechanical devices of the
theatre stage whereby demons or clowns
doors. where fairy aviators may be sus-
pended and swung in birdlike flights from
regions aioft, corridors with mems and
women's dressing rooms opening there
from, greenroom with waiting players
in makeup chatting shop, and offices for
the stage managers and executive staff.
Work preliminary to production runs
parallel with that in q Broadway theatre.
Plays, some in scenario form, some fully
developed. are received by every mail and
examined by professional readers, who
select the possible for managerial consid-
Grafton. Those finally accepted, II in see
NARCOTIC sketch Of play-are given to
q playwright to be fully developed. In
their final form plays are turned over to
stage manager. who FIRST proceeds, as
does his brother Of Broadway. to draw OF
scene plots for the painters and car
penters, and property and costume lists
for those In charge Of those departments.
Then the people Of the play are cast.
This may be done from the stock COM
pAny wholly, but If the play requires q
player Of specialized talent not found in
the company. the part 10 filled by selection
Of some player engaged elsewhere, but
at liberty to work by daylight in the pic
ture-play theatre.
The players respond to the hrst call for
rehearsal made up and dressed for their
parts, because they may be photographed
In the scene only after one or two hours
rehearsal, and whom they are pat" there
must be no delay for dressing. or they
may come back stale They are in
structed and drilled in the situations in
which they are to appear, the story they
are to tell and the emotions they are to
portray by gesture and play OF feature
alone, and just at the moment that the
stage manager finds they are keyed right
the camera begins to snap-there must be
no delay then. The principal people have
probably read the play, and have done
some rshearsinE before mirror; but