Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-07-27
AUTHORS DO NOT
RECOGNIZE THEIR
OUN Brain B4BIES

Tn THE scenario department the mo-
arrives as a pale. delicate, fragile idea
-neceSsitating whole clinic of
specialists before il can make its first
bow. At happier times it bursts into
the world full grown, needing only a
little remodeling here and some sand
papcring there,
But however it arrives, il receives
a careful early education and a gentle
but firm guidance in the way all good
motion pictures should go.
The process followed by the scenario
department at Universal City ought to
be Of interest to the 30. 900 900 photo
playwrightS who make life interesting
for such departments. The best way to
explain it is TO pretend you arc Miss
Belle King. of Gopher Prairie. MINI.
and you have sent one of your brain
children to Universal for possible pur-
chase.
Here is what happens:
The story is registered under your
name, with its title and the date re-
ceived. 1t is then delivered to an
efficient man known as the head reader.
He isn't what it sounds like. but is
merely head of the readers.
After a brief glance at your manu-
script he gives il to one of his staff of
readers. asking for careful considera-
tion and a report on the contents. 1t
takes from two days to a week for the
reader to get to your story-not be-
cause he is lazy, but because the stories
pour in on an average of a hundred a
day, and each receives equal considera-
tion and attention.
The majority of submissions" are
story outlines, written in synopsis form.
That is the best way to prepare story
for presentation to n film company
Others that are sent in are magazine
stories, books and the scenarios of
stage plays. Each division is handled
by reader trained in that line.
DUT suppose your story Clet us call
- it The Stolen Bride" for instance
half a dozen by that title are re-
ceived every week )-supposc your story
impresses the reader as a possibility.
He recommends it to the head of the
readers, attaching his suggestions for
improvement. and comments on the plot.
The head reads it personally then. as
soon as possible.
1t impresses him, in turn, as having
future. He presents it Immediately
to the editor or the associate editor. The
editor reads your story, the comments
of the reader. and the opinion Of the
head of the readers. Let us say he con-
ours with their opinions and is en-
thusiastic about the scenario of The
Stolen Bride" 1t seems Just the type
of story he has been looking for, for
one of the stars.
He confers with his associate editor
and the head reader. The story is
analysed. suggestions made TO improve
it-and it is approved for purchase. On
this conference the studio manager often
enters and adds valuable suggestions.
A FEW days later you receive a
n letter offering you a certain sum
Of money for the motion picture rights
of your story, The Stolen Bride. "
After you have shown the letter to your
entire family and all the neighbors, you
sign the contract that has been inClosed
and return your acceptance of the com :
pany's offer.
The check is Immediately written and
sent to you-and YOU sit back and
watch for next week : release on tho
program of the company. But II that is
all you have to do now land it is, un-
less you have some helpful afterthought
that you communicate to the com
pany)-it certainly isn't the end of the
matter for the company.
If your story is the ideal one for pic
ba Of l.
tinuity-Or screen dramatiZation-will
BE- comparatively simple. The editor
will merely call in one of his staff OF
trained and performing writer's and say
"Here-shoot this through. Bring me
a perfect script of this perfect story.
And the writer. after salaNming and
bowing himself out. will retire to his
den in the mountains Of Hollywood and
tear loose on your Stolen Bride"
But it doesn't work that way more
than once in every hundred. AS a rule
there is just enough material in the
story you submitted to make good
groundwork and skeleton of photo
play scenario,
Upon this groundwork the editor
and one Of his writers will build a
structure that will answer all specica
tions and withstand the battcring OF
those called to criticize and confer,
Again there Is conference, possibly
several OF them--at which often both
general manager and associate editor
are present and heard from. At last the
outline is reHdy--and the writer takes il
and his pet typewriter far from dis
tracing noise and proceeds to make the
skeleton come to life.