The Washington times., 1915-01-21
What and WhySpeech
Is Necessary In
The Making of
Film Plays,

While the interesting statement Of
Richard Tucker. Of the Edison COM
pany, az to tbs lines spoken by
photoplayers during the course Of
production Of Aim drama was con-
vincing in its explanation Of the
reason for lines being used. he did
not take the trouble to ray exactly
when these times were or what the
lines were. Patrons Of the photo
play know that at times words are
used by the players that would be
used on the legitimate stage In the
Same situations. for many patrons
have become clever enough at lip
reading to make out what the actors
are saying. Tom Santschi. the Selig
star. gives q very ruIl explanation
Of what sort Of words are needed to
TN ain out With tho drama % on the screen
tells just why and how these words
are used.
Motion picture actors and ac-
tresses really say things in tho
course OF the production Of a pic
deaf de In mute e., skilled G in lip reading and
Is a fact and that the words used
are actually a part Of the story that
Is being shown on the screen.
There is little said in the tense
scenes Of the picture plays without
direction. There is no impromptu
conversation or exclamations. The
thing has been planned before pro-
subtitle to appear before or dur
ing a certain tense scene. Maybe
the tubtitle or leader reads like this:
Who Fired That Shot?' It comes
time for the enactment Of the
scene. Tho director has tho manu-
script Of the drama in hand. He
says to the leading man or leading
woman. as the case may be: Here's
leader: Who Fired That Shot?"
Put feeling and force into that ex-
clamation and make It go over
And that 10 exactly what tho
actor or actress does. When the
proper time comes he or she ex-
csrefSi pro prenunciation. the wv words.
Who Fired That Shotr Or there
may be other words put into tho
characters mouths by the director.
but you may rest assured that 1t Is
part Of a well-planned. scheme to
produce the play as convincingly and
as naturally as possible.
In subtitles and by lip movements
are easily understandable by pic
ture play audiences They can read
the sentence and they can under
stand by the movements Of tho
characters lips the repetition of the
statement. This all adds to tho
naturalness and to tho atmosphere
of the production.
Sometimes word or two 10 Or
dered said that does not appear in
the films subtitles. or leaders. These
words are usually said slowly and
carefully and with tho idea that the
audiences will understand them very
easily. For example: I love him.
or. He loves me- are three short
meaningful words. readily UNDER
stood by the movements of the lips.
are often used In the films.
Film actors and actresses cannot
carry on indiscriminate conversations
in the silent drama Like in the
spoken drama. all lines are given out
and understood, and have some bear
ing upon the development Of the Pic
tureplay plot before they are used.
The only difference is that in spoken
drama the action depends mostly on
dialogue. while in motion picture plays
dialogue Is poor second. with action
the prime requisite. However. dialogue
Is really used in motion picture plays
the characters really say things
which bear upon the work in hand
and are not inspired on the spur of
the moment. Nothing is said what
ever. but what is ordered by the pro-
ducer or Is called for by the manu-
script. No words are made up as
the action goes along-not in selig
productions In any event. 1t Is all
plaEtsd out, it is all business. and in
discriminate chatter Is never per-
mitted."