The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-08-27
Courage Is the Greatest Asset for Those
Attempting to Carve Movie Career

Il q
What is the one outstanding
requisite for success in motion pic
lures?
Perhaps that is the one question
most frequently asked Of all per-
sons connected with the motion pic
ture industry by those who feel that
there is a place in the movie world
for them.
The writer asked Ray Rocket,
one of the First Nationals producers
now making pictures in New York.
this same question and Rocket an
swered it with a, single word.
Courage
"Of course, you take it for granted
that the movie aspirant has good
personal appearance" says Rocket.
THE man or woman who tries to
get into pictures without good figure
and face might have all the other
assets in the world. but what would
be the use? Granting they have
those, the greatest asset they can
have is courage.
II am not speaking alone of those
who start by way of the extra ranks.
but of those who come from the
stage where they are already estab-
lished. A person of considerable
stage ability and experience may
step into the game in a picture for
fcl, Il J,
"They may score a success; and
then, with no vehicle at hand in
which there is part fitted to them,
they may go for weeks and maybe
months without playing IN another
picture.
"Of course. this is trying and at
times actors become discouraged and
you see them drop back to the legit-
innate stage. But these things are
to be expected in the motion picture
game. And it is the man or woman
who sticks to it that eventually gets
there.
Perhaps the place where real
courage is needed most is among the
vast crowd of men and women who
make up what is known as the extra
list. The men and women who while
only playing atmosphere, neverthe-
less are among the most vital things
in picture making.
Take away the extras and where
would the motion picture industry
be? Here is where the real
| tragedies take place, and here is
where real courage is needed If the
young girl or young man really
hopes some day to make a place on
the screen.
Sometimes a girl or boy will
work for several years without ever
getting even a bit or small part.
To keep that up day after day, with
/ perhaps periods Of maybe several
weeks at a time when they do no
work at all. requires a logged cour-
age and determination that many
people do not have. However, these
people, II they have their eyes and
ears open. are learning all the time
and should be fitting themselves for
place when the time comes.
But II takes courage to work for
small pay from month to month.
year in and year out-hoping that
part will fall your way. And I'M
less a boy or girl is Prepared to go
through with it they had better
stay away from pictures. for with
out courage there is little chance"
Rocket is one producer who con-
stantly keeps his eyes open when
he has a crowd OF extras on the
set. He is ever watching for a face
that may some day be another star
An extra on his set never knows
but what some time Rocket may
see in him or her a type he is look
ing for. and he believes in giving the
extra a chance.
Rockets next picture for First
National will be the screen version
Of the stage play, mot Herbert"
This goes into production shortly
and will have Ben Lyon in the
featured role with a cast of real
screen celebrities surrounding him.