The Washington times., 1915-08-31
THE BEST
Photoplay Department in
WASHINGTON
Aspiring Actors and
4, Actresses M ust Be
Willing to. Work,
Says Director

At this time OF the year. when the
amusement season Is beginning,
there seem to be more people SEEK
ing positions as actors or actresses
in motion pictures than at any other
time. The industry Is new. and 1t
has not had 80 many years to ac-
quire traditions, but what tradi-
tions 1t has acquired include this
one that in the fall there will be a
perfect avalanche OF appiica lions
for all sorts OF experienced and in
experienced persons Tor jobs with
the various acting starrs.
the statement has been made sew
0ral times In these columns that mo-
ton picture acting as an art or q
profession, whichever you care to
call 1t, requires much preparation
and study. That a person to be an
actor must have natural ability plus
thorough underS -auuing OF that
ability and it's limitations. Roy
Bonneville. who has gained some
fame as q director Of motion pic
lures, declares that the disposal Of
applications Tor joos IS one of the
most difficult tlsKs he IS called
upon to discharge.
The directors daily mail Is bur-
dened with requests tor Jobs from
Nould-be actors and actresses from
every section OF the country de-
-Ires Mr.. Somerville, in an art.cle
~. this subject In Picture Progress.
absolute strangers waylay him
on the street; ciance acquaintances
do the same; they haunt his favorite
restaurants; they lay awake nights
devising chicane schemes to get at
him in the studio, often aided by
some close personal friend Of the
succeed in getting the Interview
about all the asplrant has to offer
Is the assurance: Il know it is in
mel am bound to be starr
And there you have 1.-THE popu-
lar belief that any one car act In
motion pictures. In any other pro-
fession or trade special training
Is required, but acting for the
screen-pouf. One just goes on and
acts natural.
The director knows that this Is
stupid reasoning. In the early days
Of the art he had some such idea
himself: but after trying out the
amateur In every possible way the
conclusion was forced home that
not just stage experience, but studio
training-and the director Is too
busy and high-priced a man to con-
duct school Of acting.
THE aspirant seldom wants to 60
through this training. 1t is rough
road. beginning in the ranks Of the
extras in smaller studios, where
work Is occasional and the parts un-
important. In the studios where fea-
lures are produced the amateur is
not wanted at all, and moments
thought shows that the attitude Is
Justified. The big stars receive
from 81 1.OOO to 5000 weekly. and the
q r nf na to
mensurately well paid. The failure
OF an amateur to make good might
cost several hundred dollars.
The feature producing studios
usually have an elaborate card sys-
tenn with photographs. giving the
name, age. height. complexion, ma
tionality and the parts specialized In.
In arranging the cast for a new pro-
duction the selection for minor parts
is always made from this system
executing where same rare type Is
needed. The applicants on file have
had adequate training in the studios
making the one and tWo-reel films.
or in other companies. If one OF
these types show exceptional ability
well. the dream of every director
is find a star
Letter writers seeking positions
stamps. Unless the applicant is
known. and has had actual screen
experience. there s no chance what
ever. Even when the accompany
ing photo graph elbows youth and
beauty it has little weight, for mere
youth and beauty can be had by the
thousands ct the studio doors.
'lf YOU are determined to become
q motion picture actor or actress I
would suggest that you get Job in
the extras in some studio produc-
ing one and two reel films, work
nm /nf No nl,n
study harder, try to learn the part
or parts you are best adapted for,
and with a years experience be-
hind you make application at a fea-
producing studio with your
record on the back Of your photo
graph. This viii lead to occa sOnal
engagements in minor parts-the