New-York tribune., 1921-05-29


opportunity for the marketing of the
fruits of the imagination. The photo
play is bringing into existence new
literature, fresh, interesting pano-
rama of life that is bound to appeal
more and more to the masses. And so
it is natural that from the masses
should come their stories of love, re-
verses, struggles, happiness done with
the surest touch of realism.
"a great many persons have felt
the urge to write" says Mr.. Geraghty.
"rThey have even gathered bits of
material preparatory to the day when
they will give expression to their
ideas. But as time passes and pro-
crastination gains the upper hand,
their white heat emotions are sub
merged in dreams that are never put
or paper. Those are the stories the
photoplay producer desires. And those
are the stories the producer should
receive. because to prepare them for
filming requires much less effort on
the part of the writer than for any
other purpose. Most people with en-
bryonic plots have never progressed
beyond the good intention" stage be-
cause of the technique required to put
over short story or novel.
"In writing for the screen, one has
to be concerned only with ideas. The
language may be handled carelessly,
the situations in a clumsy manner, the
development illogically; but if the idea
is there, if the story goes directly to
the heart of things, is different from
the mass of others, registers sob or
smile, then your work will be re-
ceived with open arms In other words,
in writing for the screen you take the
shortest cut to success, You do not
have to study technique of compost
ton; you do not have to devote hours
to scrupulous rewriting and selection
of appropriate synonyms; you need
only have an idea-a good one-and
If you present it to us we shall de-
velop it to suit our requirements.
Reputable Producers Follow
The Ethics of the Game
"ln tAis connection am often asked
if producers steal stories submitted by
the public. l cannot too strongly en-
phasize that no reputable producer
would pursue such course. AS a mat
ter of fact, the receipt of something
refreshingly different in our office is
occasion for immediate rejoicing on
the part of all concerned. And we pay
handsomely for the privilege of using
the idea submitted, no matter from
whom it is received.
"our principal complaint is that
stories submitted already have been
done million times We are con-
tlnuously on the lookout for something
new. There are only about seven possi-
bic plots and approximately thirty
situations that may be utilized, but it
is your task to find a different angle
OF treatment that will lift a trite plot
or situation from the slough of com
monplaceness to the pedestal of new
ness.
Write about things you know. Do
not attempt phantasmagoria. The screen
is so catholic and universal that YOU
should write for every one-all classes
and types. Try to bear in mind two
characters-Mary and John, for in
stance-to whom you are telling your
story.
"Ask yourself if these two everyday,
typical persons would like your theme,
would understand what you are en-
deavoring to put over. would weep or
laugh as your story touches sorrow or
ioy-in word, Mary and John repre-
sent your average audience and you
want to make them feel your story.
Naturalness Required Both
In Situation and Character
Strive to write natural situations,
have natural characters; you want
Mary and John to feel that If thew
were by some magic science dropped
into the shoes of your characters, they
would continue the acting just as your
own story folk are doing.
ITO write photoplay you must have
PAo'' Soou plotg TO my mind,
overcomes seemingly unsurmountable
obstacles to happy ending without
the use of unnatural coincidents. We
all like to follow hero and heroine
through the mazes of discouraging situ-
ations, where at every turn he or she
receives setback, to triumph in the
end. That is plot, or theme, or what
ever you wish to call it. l like to
picture a plot as a costumer, upon
which to hang the various threads of
narrative. As you are developing YOUR
situations, knit your characterization
closely, logically, SO that when you
nave finished you have not merely
series of unrelated Incidents, but a
story concerning the definite striving
OF an Individual Or individuals for a
certain ching which they attain or do
not attain, as you wish, after various
struggles and tests of strength worked