Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-06-13
DOROTHY FARNUM
ANSWERS QUERIES
on SCRIPT WRITING

KING WILSON-Your letter was
the best thing that has come my way
for long time. I advise you to write
tction-your Western dialect Is per-
feet. As far as the photoplay is con-
cerned, Am certain that your talent
for punching cows and punching type
writer's. combined with punch and dra-
matte situations. should be very valu-
able TO such stars as Will Rogers and
William s. Hart
You ask me how to word your play.
AS far as | can Judge it really doesn't
matter, so you have an idea and con-
vey il successfully to the producer.
I cannot answer whether or not 1t
would be better 10 have n whole raft
Of characters, because that would de-
pend upon the requirements Of your
play. The general rule is, the feweet
scene and the least expense to a pro-
ducer are in themselves, excellent rea-
son for buying q story.
Although II Is profitable and sensible
TO write O play with an actor or an
nctress In mind. L would not go 30 far
as to be drustic with the producer
about the artist selected to play the
leading role. When you are full
fedged photoplay writer you may be
asked to cast the picture. but at the
present time I advise you to leave that
to the man who pays you, TO para E
phrase your letter.
Your first photoplay would possibly
be paid for outright at a price ranging
from $3.50 to $500 sometimes more,
sometimes less, but that Is the average.
There Is one question you asked ME
upon which you seemed to lay great
stress, 80, II It really matters, l will
answer Il for you. do not wear q
wig-unless II be the one that God
gave mel
MIKE Ri. Doubtless, movie
story should be written in good Eng
iish, but avoid elaborate or fiowery Ian
guage.
! in the play in your synopsis. Maids
buffers footInen, etc, unless they play
definite part In the plot, may be set
down at the foot Of your list of plaSer'
simply as extras.
8 1t is not necessary for you q
describe explicitly how a room shoul(
be Furnished, The studios employ
trained interior decorators for this pur.
pose. 1t will, however, help the d.
rector enormously for you to suggest
YOUR general ideas about the furnish
! inRs Of the room, whether you believe
the occupant would have II richly Of
spareely furnished, In good or poor taste
| II any piece Of furniture has to do with
the plot. For instance, II the papers
are hidden in the opening Of the phono
graph, then, by all means, mention thi,
object.
4, II Is not necessary for you b
settle upon what your stars shall wear
unless it Is essential 20 the plot,
8. The continuity writer at the stu
dio viii divide your story into parts
You should have yourself genera
idea of how this IL done, so that yo,
win not be writing incidents either i'm
possible 30 picturiSe or so involved tha
the story might be confusing.
O. You may decide for yoursel
whether or not your story should b
know nothing about the ideas yoI
have in mind,
7. You may use real or fctittou
cities, streets and places.
ANTHONY ONESTI-The costum
play is coming into vogue again, and il
few months it may be less dhHcu.
to place period play, In the mean
time work on your modern drama.
cannot put you in touch with any on
who will put your script into continu
ity. That will be arranged for by til
producer, should he buy your story
You yourself must study the screen an
mold your work 10 it's requirements.
j will pretend TO be O doctor an
give you prescription for yopr dis
couragement. Buy o copy at Kipltns'
III and read 1t once a day.