documents; they are not prepared. He must stay in the city over
Sunday. The idea fills him with disgust; he longs for the hunting trip
he has planned. In sheer desperation he decides to do that which his
butler considers equivalent to jumping from the window, in view of his
social status--Blinker determines to go to Coney Island.
His experiences may be imagined as he is pushed and jostled by the
rough-and-ready pleasure-seekers. He gets on the boat and is seen by
Florence, who regards him as a prospective escort and so conducts
herself that he is virtually forced into conversation, and with no
experience to guide him in this strange method of introduction, he
manages to bear himself suitably, to the end that the two debark at
the island of pleasure-seeking and set out to enjoy themselves,
Florence being the guide, by virtue of her experience.
At first Blinker feels entirely out of his element, but Florence shows
him the spirit in which to accept the tinsel and the rude fun-making.
He soon comes to like it--and to think very well of the naively
"different" girl beside him.
He is treated like all her other cavaliers at the time and place of
parting--she goes home alone. He returns to his apartment with a new
idea of the city's possibilities.
That same evening Florence finds an intruder unceremoniously invading
her room--a "gang" leader who believes the shot he has just fired at
an adversary has been fatal in its effect. He tells her his story, but
says he did not do the shooting. She believes him, and when the police
come to her door in their search for the culprit, she pretends that
the man opposite her at the table is her brother.
Later she learns that he has told her a falsehood, but she does not
deliver him to justice, and when she finds that the man who was shot
is not fatally injured, she sends the shielded one away in safety; for
which display of her fine sense of loyalty he becomes a veritable
watchdog, never intruding his presence upon her, but being always near
to observe the quality of the companions she still allows herself.
Blinker meets her by appointment the next evening, and the faithful
Watchdog follows them to Coney Island, vigilant, feeling sure than a
man of the evident social status of Blinker can mean no good to a girl
in Florence's station.
On the boat, coming home, Blinker tells Florence that he loves her. So
accustomed is she to this display of sentimentality in her cavaliers
that she merely laughs. He persists, and she indicates a belief that
he is just like the rest. Mention of "the rest" awakes question in
Blinker. He learns that she meets men indiscriminately. He has a
horror of this evidence of what he considers to be moral laxity, and
when Florence sees this she is amazed. _He_ has met her in the same
way, yet he is shocked that she should meet others! In justifying her
course she explains what sort of place "Brickdust Row" is, and how the
girls are driven out.
A fire is discovered on the boat, and in the excitement Blinker and
Florence are separated and the Watchdog is unable to find the girl he
worships. She has jumped into the water as the flames drew too close
to her.
Later she is found at home by the Watchdog, safe though suffering from
shock. He discovers that the shock is less from exposure than from her
discovery that Blinker was serious, and that he refused to condone her
mode of meeting men.
Blinker is visited by his lawyer, and in their conversation, a
reference to "Brickdust Row" gives Blinker the knowledge that he is
the owner of that tenement--that it is his own fault which gives rise
to such unconventional practices as Florence has innocently indulged
in. It is too late, he thinks, now--too late to change things. His
dream of love is rudely dispelled.
However, after a visit from the Watchdog, in which the gangster
loyally champions Florence's character and "lays down the law" to
Blinker, the latter sees Florence again, realizing his own great fault
in being too quick to judge--and the reconciliation is made sweeter by
his willingness to have Florence do her will with the remodeling of
the tenement, while the Watchdog finds comfort in the smiles of Ella.
CAST OF CHARACTERS[37]
FLORENCE A sweet, innocent girl, whose environment
shapes her conduct;
sympathetic type.
BLINKER Rich, idle, careless of responsibility,
and as much a victim to his
own station as is Florence; slightly
affected; but must not lose sympathy
or create distaste.
ELLA Snappy, shop-girl type; keen contrast
to Florence, and used to build
up and emphasize the fine nature of
Florence.
BILL[38] A typical slums character--gang
leader; generally living by his wits,
but possessed of a deep-rooted devotion
to anybody who is "square"
with him.
FRANK A typical street-flirt.
LAWYER OLDPORT A quizzical man of the "old school."
Types of the tenement district. Police, etc.
Typical crowds at Coney Island, and on boat.
[Footnote 37: It will be observed that Mr. Powell uses now and then
slightly different methods of type-arrangement and nomenclature from
those used by Mr. Leeds. These are all unimportant variations.]
[Footnote 38: Bill is the interpolated character, whose purpose will
be seen in script.]
SCENARIO, OR CONTINUITY OF SCENES
_Leader--_
THUS DOES FLORENCE COAX A FEW RELUCTANT DOLLARS INTO HER
WEEKLY PURSE.
1--Interior small hat-trimming shop.
The diaphragm opens to show Florence trimming a hat. She is
a pathetic figure as she looks down at the hat and realizes
that such finery is beyond her owning. She looks up and
smiles gratefully as the owner of the place comes from
paying others in view, and drops an envelope on table before
her.[39]
[Footnote 39: Nothing important happens here, but the scene is devised
to gain sympathy for the girl at once.]
_Leader--_
THE SHOP GIRL'S CONSTANT PROBLEM--MAKING ENDS MEET--HELPS
FLORENCE WEAR OUT MANY A PENCIL.
2--Boarding house steps.
Florence is discovered sitting on step, figuring out her
accounts with a stubby pencil on back of an old envelope.
She looks disconsolately at her figures. Then as she glances
up her eyes brighten and she waves a hand.[40]
[Footnote 40: Continuing atmosphere of sympathy for Florence, and
beginning story in leisurely manner in harmony with its lack of
dramatic opening.]
_Leader--_
FRIEND ELLA, OF THE SHOE-STORE CASHIER'S CAGE.
3--Street near boarding house.
Ella, whose face is piquant with recognition, waves in a
snappy, "Oh! Hello, Kid" manner, and goes toward boarding
house.
4--Boarding house steps, as in 2. Close-up of two girls.
Ella comes on and greets Florence in breezy way; Florence is
pleased, but her manner of salutation is more quiet, though
equally sincere. Ella drops on step, looks at figures, and
grins. Florence indicates her depression, due to the figures
that will not balance with her meager income. Ella makes a
proposition, saying:
_Cut-in leader--_
"WHY NOT SHARE A ROOM WITH ME? WE MIGHT EACH SAVE ENOUGH TO
ADD A DILL PICKLE TO OUR LUNCH."
Florence is impressed, and Ella bids her come along and see
the place.[41]
[Footnote 41: Ella definitely introduced; relationship of the girls
established. Note characterization in leader.]
5--Wider view of steps.
As Florence rises, she hesitates, and seems to be averse to
putting her friend to inconvenience. Ella grins gayly, and
says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"WHEN YOU SEE 'BRICKDUST ROW'--WHERE I LIVE--YOU WON'T THINK
I'M DOING YOU ANY FAVOR."
She urges Florence to come along. Two girls leave scene.[42]
[Footnote 42: Note planting of tenement name in leader--bringing
forecast of atmosphere.]
6--A street corner.
A blind man is selling pencils. Ella and Florence come on.
Florence pauses, fishes coin from her purse and buys a
pencil. Then, as Ella keeps right on, turning corner,
Florence smiles gently and pauses again.
7--Street corner--close-up of hands.
Florence gently slips the purchased pencil back into hand of
blind man, allowing her hand to rest commiseratingly on his
arm an instant.
8--Wider view of street corner.
Ella turns to see what is keeping Florence, who is hurrying
away to avoid the man's "Bless you, and the Saints protect
you!"[43]
[Footnote 43: Three scenes contain "human touch." Note the "close-up"
as differing from "bust" used later on.]
_Leader--_
"BRICKDUST ROW," WITH ITS DREARY MONOTONY AND CRUMBLING
DECAY, IS A PLACE TO SIGH OVER--NOT TO LIVE IN.[44]
[Footnote 44: O. Henry's atmosphere.]
9--Long view of street with typical tenements.
Showing the dreary atmosphere of the place as Florence and
Ella come along street and pause at a doorway.
10--Closer view doorway.
Emphasis of atmosphere. Ella unlatching door as Florence
touches side-rail of low stoop and looks downcast,
shuddering a bit. They go in.
11--Lower hall of tenement.
A worn whisk-broom hangs on wall. There is a comedy touch as
Ella and Florence come in, and the latter notices the
whisk-broom.
12--Bust view. Wall.
Showing whisk-broom.
13--Wider view of hall.
Ella laughs, and says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"THE FIRST TIME YOU START OUT FROM THIS DUST-FACTORY YOU'LL
KNOW WHY THAT'S THERE!"
Florence is dubious about liking the place, but follows Ella
up the rickety, dust-laden stairway.
14--Ella's tiny but neat room--window on fire-escape.
Ella brings Florence in. Ella throws out hands in gesture of
"Here it is--not much, I'll admit." Florence exclaims in
reassuring affectation of delight and says she will take
Ella's offer.
Diaphragm out.
_Leader--_
WE NOTE ONE BLINKER--ALEXANDER BLINKER--OWNING TENEMENTS
GALORE, AND LEADING A GENERALLY USELESS LIFE BECAUSE HE HAS
BEEN BROUGHT UP THAT WAY.
15--Oldport's legal office. Close-up at door.
Diaphragm in to a close view of Blinker, introducing him in
a very unpleasing humor, evidently sour about something.[45]
[Footnote 45: We are handling O. Henry's incident now, and must use
his leader-material, so the next situation must be broken into various
"close-up" views to prevent having too long a scene and too irksome a
run of spoken matter in one scene.]
16--Oldport's office--wider view.
Showing Oldport looking quizzically at the fuming Blinker as
the latter advances, saying:
_Cut-in leader--_
"IF I _MUST_ SIGN THOSE DISGUSTING LEASES, LET US GET IT
OVER. I HAVE A GOLF TOURNAMENT ON--"
He advances and slumps pettishly into a chair by desk.
17--Close-up of Oldport.
Oldport looks around at Blinker, with an expression showing
more pity than annoyance.
18--Close-up of Blinker.
Blinker makes a gesture of impatience and shifts in his
chair.
19--Ella's room. A few touches indicating the refining influence of
Florence.
Ella is getting ready to go out. Florence questions. Ella
says, "I got an afternoon date." Then she vents her
annoyance at the owner of the buildings by saying:
_Cut-in-leader--_
"THE DUB THAT OWNS THIS DUST-BIN IS SO MEAN THAT HE RENTS
THE PARLORS--SO US GIRLS HAS GOT TO MEET OUR GENTLEMEN
FRIENDS SOMEWHERE OUTSIDE--WE CAN'T ENTERTAIN IN OUR ROOMS,
CAN WE?"
Florence shakes her head, and refuses an invitation to
accompany Ella, who goes out.[46]
[Footnote 46: Contrast to Blinker; also forecasts by association of
ideas the coming together of characters; hints at plot.]
20--Oldport's office.
Blinker signing papers. Finishing, he rises. Oldport lays a
restraining hand on his arm, taking another paper. Blinker
shudders in distaste, as Oldport turns and says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"THERE IS A MATTER CONCERNING THE RENTING OF THE PARLORS IN
ONE OF YOUR BUILDINGS--YOUR FATHER HAD INTENDED TO REMODEL
THEM, SO--"
Blinker shrugs, and rises, protesting, imploring Oldport to
let him get away. Oldport rises, and follows him to door,
where he stops him.
21--Close-up door of Oldport office.
Oldport is serious, almost pleading, as Blinker wheels.
Oldport says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"BECAUSE THE PARLORS ARE RENTED AS ROOMS, THE GIRLS, MOSTLY
SHOP WORKERS, MUST DO THEIR ENTERTAINING OF
MEN--ELSEWHERE--"
Blinker turns deprecatingly, and says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"DEAR OLD MAN--ANOTHER TIME, _PLEASE_!"
He hurries out. Oldport frowns with annoyance, then shrugs.
Diaphragm out.
Diaphragm in:[47]
[Footnote 47: The close of one incident and beginning of another, no
leader being required.]
22--Front of hat-shop where Florence is employed.
Frank, a typical street-flirt, is lounging, watching some
girls pass; they laugh and nudge each other; then Florence
comes out of shop and Frank, lifting cap, falls into step
beside her. Depict innocence on Florence's part--she does
not "get his drift."[48]
[Footnote 48: This scene-sequence develops character, with contrast of
the two leads; also registers that Florence's future conduct is
influenced by Ella--not voluntary.]
23--Exterior of golf club.
Blinker arrives in haste, to find friends and players
waiting. Emphasize his egotism and self-centeredness as they
start off for the golf links.
24--Street in tenement district.
Frank is keeping up with Florence as she comes on. He takes
her arm. She stops dead still. Sudden fear shows in her
face. Tearing herself free, she fairly runs from the scene,
Frank staring in surprise, and indicating "Holy
Mackerel--stuck up little skirt!"
25--Door in Brickdust Row.
Florence comes hurrying on, looks over her shoulder to be
sure she is not followed, and rushes into house.
26--Golf course.
Blinker tees up and drives. He shows satisfaction as he
watches the flight of the ball, then sets off, smiling at
his caddie's muttered "Some drive!"
27--Ella's room.
Florence is coming in. She is panting. Still shaking with
fright and mortification, she flings herself across the bed.
28--A street corner.
Ella is parting from a "gentleman friend" and thanks him for
a "swell time," then starts for home as he turns, hat
lifted, and goes.
29--Golf course.
Show Blinker's egotism as he wins match amid plaudits of his
friends.
30--Ella's room.
Florence still on bed as Ella comes in. "What's up, Kid?"
Florence explains. Ella laughs, and tells her the lad meant
no harm, then rising in denunciation of their environment,
she exclaims:
_Cut-in leader--_
"LORD, KID! A GIRL CAN'T STICK IN THE HOUSE AND BE A DRIED
PRUNE WITHOUT NO FRIENDS. IF SHE CAN'T BRING 'EM HOME--SHE
HAS TO MEET 'EM WHEREVER SHE FINDS 'EM."
This is a new idea to Florence, and it impresses her, though
she is dubious about it. Finally, reconciling herself, she
agrees, saying:
_Cut-in leader--_
"YES, A GIRL HAS _GOT_ TO HAVE _SOME_ FUN. I GUESS IT'S NO
HARM TO LET _NICE_ FELLOWS SPEAK, AND TAKE YOU OUT
SOMETIMES."
Ella assures her that it is no harm. Florence is less
dubious.
_Leader--_
DUN, DREARY MONOTONY DRIVES FLORENCE TO THE ONLY
ENTERTAINMENT HER ENVIRONMENT PERMITS.
31--A park entrance.
Florence allows a neat chap who has been flirting to take
her arm, and they go off together.
_Leader--_
SOMETIMES THE MOVIES--
32--Outside moving picture house. Night.
Florence is laughing as she comes on with ANOTHER
nice-looking chap who takes her in to see the show.
_Leader--_
SOMETIMES MOONY SPOONING--
33--Park seat near lake. Moon on water for pretty view.
Florence is allowing a different fellow to sit close and
hold her hand. (No inclination to get "fresh.")
_Leader--_
BUT ALWAYS THE SAME TACTICS, AND EACH TIME WITH A DIFFERENT
CAVALIER.[49]
[Footnote 49: Note the progressive series of leaders to emphasize
Florence's characteristic morality.]
34--Front door, Brickdust Row. Evening.
Florence comes on, with an impatient swain, but she gives
absolutely no indication that this is where she lives, and
they pass off.
35--Street corner.
Florence and companion come on. She says "good night" and
refuses to let him go further. When he is gone around the
corner she retraces her steps toward home.
Diaphragm slowly out.
_Leader--_
AH, THE TRIBULATIONS OF BLINKER!
36--Oldport's office.
Blinker comes in, disgusted. Oldport laughs at him somewhat
sardonically as Blinker says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"WILL THOSE PAPERS NEVER BE DONE WITH? WELL--HURRY. I'M
PACKED TO START FOR THE NORTH WOODS TONIGHT."
Oldport grins cheerfully, saying:
_Cut-in leader--_
"THE WORST HAS NOT BEEN TOLD YOU. THE PAPERS WILL NOT BE
READY TILL MONDAY--SO YOU WILL HAVE TO AMUSE YOURSELF FOR A
DAY AND A HALF--"
Blinker flings out, disgusted.
37--Ella's room.
Florence comes in, in her work-day clothes, and prepares to
get out a quite new summer frock.
38--Blinker's apartment.
Blinker in, and man taking off coat, etc. Summer garb.
Blinker disgusted with life. Reads paper. Man
obsequious--comedy touch with proffer of numbers of
varieties of cigarettes.
39--Ella's room.
Florence dressed in summer frock. Wonders what to do with
herself--plans, counts money--decides and goes out.
40--Apartment.
Blinker reads "ad." in paper and suddenly says to his man:
_Cut-in leader--_
"SIMONDS, I'M GOING TO CONEY ISLAND."
Man bows as if he had said he was going to drown himself.
Blinker bids man fetch some cool outing flannels--he acts as
if he were preparing to go to be shot, but must face it.
Ennui driving him.
_Leader--_
FOR ONCE HOI-POLLOI JOSTLES, BUSTLES AND HARASSES THE
ARISTOCRATIC BLINKER.
41--Dock, gangplank.
Comedy with Blinker in a mob of "kidders" on the way to a
Coney Island boat.
42--Deck chair or camp stool, on Coney Island boat.
Florence is staring out over water. Turns. Sees something.
43--Deck location.
Blinker coming out of mob--catching hat, effect of tipping
it.
44--Deck, wider view.
Florence affects to be freezing. Blinker notices her, and is
abashed.
45--Close-up of Florence.
Florence freezing, says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"HOW DARE YOU LIFT YOUR HAT TO ME, SIR?"
Haughty.
46--Close-up of Blinker.
Blinker stammers:
_Cut-in leader--_
"I DIDN'T--"
Then starts, admiring.
47--Close-up of Florence.
Florence freezing, yet eyes twinkle.
48--Wider-angle view.
Blinker quickly corrects himself by adding:
_Cut-in leader--_
"I DIDN'T SEE HOW I COULD HELP IT--AFTER I _SAW_ YOU."
She appears mollified. He sits.
49--Closer view, toward water.
Florence says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"I DON'T ALLOW GENTLEMEN TO SIT BESIDE ME TO WHOM I HAVE NOT
BEEN INTRODUCED."
Comedy as Blinker rises, then sits as he sees she is joking.
They begin to "get together."
50--Same scene, different angle.
He asks Florence:
_Cut-in leader--_
"ARE YOU GOING TO CONEY ISLAND?"
She comes back at him:
_Cut-in leader--_
"CAN'T YOU SEE I'M RIDING A BICYCLE UP THE WOOLWORTH TOWER?"
He is abashed, then gets her idea, and says quite
attentively:
_Cut-in leader--_
"I'VE NEVER BEEN TO CONEY. MAYN'T WE SEE IT TOGETHER?"
She is surprised, then appraises him and temporizes.
_Leader--_
IN DUE COURSE ONE IS DASHED INTO THE WALKS AND AVENUES OF
FAIRYLAND GONE INTO VAUDEVILLE.
51--Steeplechase Amusement Park.
A long view to show the "atmosphere."[50] Florence and
Blinker in the crowd.
[Footnote 50: The boat- and amusement-park scenes can only be
lightly sketched in, as much depends on the director and his
locations, so skeleton action is given.]
52--Closer view.
Blinker and Florence. "Tough" with girl. "Tough" blows cigar
smoke in Blinker's face. Florence tactfully prevents a
"scrap." She can't afford to have cavalier "pinched." Off
they go.
53--Some open-air amusement, as "The Whip."
Blinker and Florence on--he is disgusted. She is aflame with
excitement. He looks disgustedly at the amusement, and she,
divining--dejectedly--goes off with him.
_Leader--_
FLORENCE IS DIVINELY HAPPY--FOR IS SHE NOT WITH HER
MAN--KEEPER OF THE KEYS OF FAIRYLAND?
54--Front of a show.
Florence in ecstasy. Overcomes chagrin. Goes in with
disgusted but subdued Blinker--subdued by a battle royal
with the mob around ticket wicket.
55--Inside the show.
As Blinker helps Florence into a seat, an Italian woman with
bunch of candy-sticky kids comes along. In they pile,
candying Blinker, who disgustedly hops out, with Florence,
somewhat discomfited and provoked at him, following. He
backs away, and she after him.
56--Closer view of the two.
Florence sizing up Blinker--delivers her opinion:
_Cut-in leader--_
"IF YOU EXPECT TO HAVE ANY FUN, YOU'VE GOT TO JUMP IN AND
ACT AS NUTTY AS THE REST OF THEM."
Blinker is subdued, but hard to convince. Then he looks at
the wistfulness of Florence's eyes, and somehow he decides
he will try to enter into the spirit of the thing. She sees,
is starry-eyed--drags him off, ecstasy in her face.
57--The flying horses.
Blinker about to get on, with Florence pulling him. They get
on. "They're off!"
_Leader--_
BY THE MAGIC OF FLORENCE'S ENTHUSIASM BLINKER SUDDENLY SEES
CONEY ISLAND IN ITS TRUE GUISE.
58--Flash on horse.
Florence all ecstasy.
59--Another horse--parallel.
Blinker watching Florence--sudden change to delight.
60--Horses on track in Steeplechase, running parallel.
The two horses are going away from the camera, and as
Blinker turns to smile at Florence, she smiles at him, and--
The scene interposes into--
61--A rolling open field.
Taking the place of the Steeplechase horses, we see Florence
and Blinker riding at a gallop on real horses, typifying
their imagined visualization. The scene interposes back into--
62--Steeplechase horses.
Blinker laughs merrily at Florence, and both "work" as hard
as they can to send the horses faster.[51]
[Footnote 51: The technical "interpose into" and its resultant "back
into" are technical devices to indicate the merging of one scene into
another--and the effect here noted, as well as the following one,
while very significant if well done, must not be taken as models--they
were specially planned with the knowledge that a director could and
would secure them adequately. See definition of "Interpose," Chapter
III.]
_Leader--_
NO LONGER DOES BLINKER SEE A RABBLE. HE IS AMONG HIS
BROTHERS, ALL SEEKING AN IDEAL.
63--Front of tawdry amusement place.
Blinker is with Florence. As they come up and listen to the
"ballyhoo" man--
The scene interposes into--
64--Front of fairy castle.
Florence and Blinker as Prince and Princess.
The scene interposes back into--
65--Front of amusement place.
Blinker and Florence rush in with crowd, all gay and
hilarious.
_Leader--_
SO BLINKER ROLLS UP THE SHIRTSLEEVES OF HIS MIND, AND
BECOMES AN IDEALIST TOO.
66--A show (Slide).
Good comedy to get some people coming down a slide, with
Blinker and Florence among them.
67--Bottom of slide.
Blinker and Florence get out, gay as can be--and as they
stroll off, there is a touch of sentiment.
_Leader--_
THE PARTING.
68--Park entrance. Night.
Blinker and Florence. She stops him. He wants to go on with
her, but she says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"I MUST LEAVE YOU HERE. I DON'T WANT TO SPOIL THE FAIRYLAND
BY SHOWING YOU--'BRICKDUST ROW.'"
He tries to persuade her. She is firm. Another "date" for
tomorrow. Off she goes. He the other way.
69--Room.
Florence in--lights up. Sits to dream of happy day.
70--Blinker's apartment. Lit up.
Blinker in to find Simonds waiting. Dismisses man, who might
interrupt dream of happy day by proffer of something--comedy
chase out, then Blinker back to smoke and smile.
71--Florence's room. Gas-lit.
Florence rises to remove dress, pauses to look at herself in
mirror--girlish vanity.
_Leader--_
WHEN GANG-LEADER MEETS GANG-LEADER--
72--Front of "Brickdust Row." Night.
Bill sauntering. Pauses to light cigarette. A rival
gang-leader comes on. Flash--pistols--bang--other man fires
first. Bill wings him and turns.
73--Corner. Night.
"Cop" hears shooting. Listens to locate it.
74--Front of "Row." Night.
Bill hides gun in coat. Dodges into door.[52]
[Footnote 52: Here Bill is not introduced by leader, but is allowed to
characterize himself in action.]
75--Corner. Night.
"Cop" looking around--sees--
76--Front of "Row." Night.
Man lying still.
77--Corner. Night.
"Cop" blows whistle and runs off.
78--Hall. Gas-lit.
Bill listening. Up the stairs! He may get away!
79--Front row. Night.
"Cop" and others gather about man. Several "cops" on at a
run.
80--Ella's room. Gas-lit.
Bill looks in doorway. Florence at mirror, about to loosen
dress. Turns. Bill comes in. He says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"LISTEN, SIS--A GUY CROAKED ANOTHER FELLOW--A COP THINKS I
DONE IT--I DIDN'T--SO HELP ME GOD!"
He is so pathetic in his fright that she is torn with
sympathy.
81--"Cops" before "Brickdust Row." Night.
"Cops" decide to look in house--go in.
82--Ella's room. Gas-lit.
Florence moves close to Bill and finds gun. He nods--says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"THAT'S WHY I'M SCARED--IF THEY FIND IT THEY'LL PINCH
ME--"[53]
She nods. Both start, as at a sound.
[Footnote 53: It is, of course, clear to the spectators that he is not
telling the truth, though not so to Florence.]
83--Hall. Gas-lit.
"Cop" bounding up the stairs.
84--Ella's room. Gas-lit.
Bill in terror. Florence sees the abject fear in his eyes,
and the tenderness and protective sympathy of her nature are
instantly roused. Dropping the gun in a table drawer, and
sitting down, she motions Bill to sit opposite, and command
himself. She picks up needlework, and proceeds to chat with
Bill as unconcernedly as if he were a constant visitor at
the place.
85--Outside the door of Ella's room. Gas light in room; dimmer light
in hall.
The "cop" comes softly to door, listens, and then pushes
door quietly inward.
86--Ella's room. Gas-lit.
As the police officer opens the door and looks in, Florence
is quietly sewing, and Bill is leaning back, at his ease,
though it is an effort for him to be unconcerned. He is
smoking. The officer hesitates. Hold suspense of situation.
87--Front of "Row." Night.
Ambulance attendants busy over man. Street crowd being
driven away by several policemen.
88--Ella's room. Gas-lit.
The officer moves forward, his eyes on Bill. Florence does
not betray the slightest sign of dismay. She looks at the
intruder as much in reproof as in surprise. Her steady look
disconcerts the policeman; he shuffles, clears his throat,
and explains his search, glancing toward Bill. Florence
says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"LIVING IN THE BACK OF THE HOUSE WE DON'T HEAR MUCH--OR MY
BROTHER WOULD HAVE GONE DOWN TO SEE WHAT WAS UP."
Bill takes up the lead she gives by pretending eagerness as
to what happened, but the officer, after a hasty look out
over the fire escape, turns and hurries from the room. Bill
sighs relievedly, and looks at Florence with the same sort
of light in his eyes that one sees in those of a faithful
dog. This dog-like devotion is to be the developing keynote
of Bill's character.
89--Roof of house. Night.
Policeman comes up on roof, looking around.
90--Ella's room. Gas-lit.
Bill is thanking Florence. She tells him that she will go
down and see whether the coast is clear, and he sits down
with a grateful look as she goes quietly out.[54]
[Footnote 54: Compare the present scene and the one following, in
respect to varying treatment of conveyed information. Here the girl
merely indicates what she intends to do, and her statement of the fact
is not given as dialogue-in-scene, since the next scene will make
clear her unregistered words; but see how dialogue-in-scene is
employed in the scene that comes next, emphasizing in the briefest way
just what the player feels by what she thinks and unconsciously forms
with her lips.]
91--Front of "Row." Night. From the tenement doorway.
The injured man is being made to stand. Florence comes into
the scene, pausing on stoop of the "Row" and watches as the
injured party feigns great pain, and gasps:
_Cut-in leader--_
"HONEST--HE NEAR CROAKED ME. I'M DYIN'--ALL SHOT TO PIECES.
AN' THE WORST IS I DIDN'T GIT A CHANST TO SHOOT BACK AT
HIM."
The ambulance men laugh and tell him to be on his way; he is
more scared than hurt. Florence's face becomes tense. Her
lips form the thought that flashes into her mind. "He
lied--to me!" She turns and goes into house.
92--Ella's room. Gas-lit.
Bill looks up eagerly as Florence comes in. Then he stares
as she goes swiftly toward the table drawer. He is quick,
but not swift enough, in his rush to forestall her as she
gets his revolver and "breaks" it, so that the empty
cartridge and five loaded ones drop into her hand.
93--Bust of hand holding discharged cartridge.
Register the fact that it has been fired.
94--Back to 92.
Florence looks up slowly. Bill figures that she will give
him up now, and gives a quick, hunted look around as
Florence closes the weapon and lays it on the table, fully
convinced that she has been lied to. She stands looking down
at the weapon, her face brooding. Suspense. What will she do
about it?
95--Roof of house. Night.
"Cop," with another. No use looking further. Separate, one
going down into tenement again, other across roof toward
another descent.
96--Ella's room--looking toward door. Gas-lit.
Bill in an agony of terror as he hears policeman tramping
toward door. Florence looks up, and moves toward Bill, who
cowers. The door starts to open. Florence pities Bill now.
97--Ella's room--from hall, through opening door. Gas-lit.
The policeman is going to be crafty; he opens door, very
softly, and as he peers in, he sees--Florence slipping her
arms about Bill's neck, giving him a sisterly kiss as she
says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"GOODNIGHT, BUDDY. GIVE THE KIDDIES A KISS FROM ME."
Convinced, the officer draws away and goes from scene. Bill
can be seen touching cheek Florence kissed, looking at
finger as if expecting it to show the mark of contact.
98--Close-up in room, from another angle, to get Florence in profile.
Bill slowly and reverently takes Florence's hand, and with
devotion in every line, says fervently:
_Cut-in leader--_
"KID--YOU'RE _CERTAINLY_ WHITE! AND YOU _ARE_ 'LITTLE SIS'
TO ME FROM NOW ON!"
Saying nothing more, but looking at her with devoted eyes,
as she stands smiling her gentle smile, he goes to fire
escape, and as he descends--Fade slowly out.
_Leader--_
BILL BECOMES THE FAITHFUL WATCHDOG, ASKING ONLY A PAT, AND
IS ETERNALLY VIGILANT LEST HARM COME TO THE OBJECT OF HIS
DEVOTION.
Diaphragm in:
99--Park entrance.
Florence waiting. Bill is coming down path. He sees her and
advances--but she meets Blinker, who is gay and delighted.
They go.
100--Close-up of Bill.
No jealousy--but suspicion. Bill thinks such a man can mean
no good. He starts off.
101--Wider view.
Bill seen to be shadowing Blinker and Florence.
_Leader--_
CONVINCED THAT "A GUY" OF BLINKER'S _APPARENT_ AFFLUENCE CAN
MEAN NO GOOD TO A "SKIRT LIKE SIS," THE WATCHDOG INVADES
FAIRYLAND.
102--Steeplechase Pier.
Crowd coming off boat. Florence and Blinker. After them,
shadowing, comes Bill.
_Leader--_
THIS TIME, THERE IS NO TIME LOST BY THE INFATUATED BLINKER,
IN GETTING INTO THE SPIRIT OF THE REVELRY.
103--Any different amusement device.
Blinker with Florence--having a grand time. Show Bill aloof
but watchful, evading discovery carefully.
_Leader--_
THE WALKING BEAM OF A CONEY ISLAND BOAT MAKES JUST ENOUGH
NOISE TO ENABLE TWO TO CONVERSE COZILY ALOOF FROM THEIR
NEIGHBORS.
104--By walking beam.
Wide enough to show several couples--Florence and Blinker
among them; narrows down to those two, after Bill is
established in background, watchful but not interfering.
105--Close-up of Blinker.
Blinker, in spell of love, says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"FLORENCE--I--LOVE YOU!"
Waits, breathless.
106--Close-up of Florence.
She laughs a little tremulously but recklessly and says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"THAT'S WHAT THEY ALL SAY."
She begins to hum.
107--Close-up of Blinker.
He is a little impatient, and says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"I AM RICH. I CAN GIVE YOU MANY THINGS--"
He is interrupted.[55]
[Footnote 55: Sketchy, because in this case, "O. Henry" leaders are
the important thing--and they give sufficient clue to the action
required.]
108--Close-up of Florence.
She laughs a little, and says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"THAT'S WHAT THEY ALL SAY."
She is playing with him, and yet telling truth.
109--Close-up of Blinker.
He is impatient at this repetition. Says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"I DON'T LIKE YOU TO KEEP SAYING THAT!"
He is annoyed. She is not taking him seriously.
110--Close-up of Florence.
She looks at him--wonders--says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"WHY SHOULDN'T I SAY IT? THEY DO!"
He is puzzled.
111--Close-up of Blinker.
Surprised--puzzled--angered--says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"WHO ARE--'THEY'?"
Jealous and anxious.
112--Close-up of Florence.
Surprised--innocent. Says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"WHY, THE MEN I MEET."
What is he driving at?
113--Both--in wider view.
Florence wondering. He changes expression. Growing tension.
Asks her:
_Cut-in leader--_
"WHERE DO YOU MEET--THESE MEN?"
She looks wide-eyed--surprised--answers:
_Cut-in leader--_
"I MEET THEM--AS I DID YOU--"
Blinker aghast. Asks:
_Cut-in leader--_
"DO YOU KNOW SO MANY?"
She allows herself a laugh--says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"WELL I'M NOT EXACTLY A WALL FLOWER."
He turns away.
114--Close-up of Blinker.
Growing tension--it is sinking in, and finally his
expression grows harder.
115--Close-up of Florence.
She wonders--finally asks:
_Cut-in leader--_
"WHAT'S WRONG?"
Her lips part in amazed terror.
116--New angle. Close-up of Blinker.
Swings upon her and cries:
_Cut-in leader--_
"EVERYTHING'S WRONG! WHY DON'T YOU SEE THESE--THESE MEN--AT
YOUR HOME? IS IT NECESSARY TO MEET EVERY TOM, DICK AND
HARRY--OUTSIDE?"
He is growing furious. So that is the sort she is!
117--Profile close-up of Florence.
She laughs. Her voice is brassy-hard, saying:
_Cut-in leader--_
"IF YOU COULD SEE 'BRICKDUST ROW' YOU WOULDN'T ASK THAT. THE
FELLOW WHO OWNS IT DOESN'T GIVE US ANY PLACE TO RECEIVE--AND
WE CAN'T TAKE FELLOWS TO OUR ROOM--SO--"
Shrugs.
118--Wider-angle view, with Blinker nearest camera.
Tension. Big scene as he gets over his horror and disgust
and she realizes it, and rising, disillusioned--exactly as
he feels that _he_ is disillusioned about _her_--Sudden pause--
119--Deck, _ad lib._
Fire! Excitement. "Where?"--"What'll we do?"[56]
[Footnote 56: Sketchy, as this sort of material has to depend on boat,
crowd, director, etc. Continuity only required.]
120--Deck, another part.
Panic. Woman screams.
121--Walking beam.
Excited scattering of crowd. Florence turning away--Bill
coming forward--Blinker listening. He grabs Florence by arm.
She draws away. He compels her to go.
122--Deck.
Tension. Wild scene.
123--Walking beam.
Bill follows, crowd intervening, as Blinker takes Florence
off. Bill gets after them.
124--Boat davits.
Wild scene. Officer. Sailors. Fire and smoke. Blinker with
Florence. Takes her away--another boat!
125--Another boat.
Crowd more orderly. Women being helped into boat. Blinker
on with Florence. Takes her to boat.
126--Boat davits.
Sailors shot at by officer. Surge away and off.
127--Fire blazing. Sailors lose heads--dash back from fire and
toward--
128--Other boat.
Fire coming. Florence by boat. Sailors rush on and fight.
Get officer's gun. Surround Florence and Blinker.
129--Different angle.
Blinker fighting to save Florence.
130--Different view.
Fire coming on. Bill fighting way toward Blinker and
Florence.
131--Other boat.
Blinker fighting. Florence separated from him. Bill fights
way to his side. They notice one another as men with same
idea--join back to back. Florence forced away. They try to
get to her. Surge of sailors over-runs them.[57]
[Footnote 57: Necessary departure from O. Henry, to build up Blinker's
good qualities, and achieve a preparation for new finish.]
132--Deck rail.
Florence staggers on. Flames coming. Great God! What shall
she do? Off she races.
133--Boat davits.
Flames leaping. Florence just in time to see boat lowered
away. Too late. Driven back.
134--Other boat.
Bill and Blinker together. Several sailors done for, others
lower boat and go. Men peer about, but smoke too thick for
them to see.
135--Rail.
Florence in terror. Sudden blast of flame. On rail. Leaps.
Diaphragm out.[58]
Diaphragm in:
[Footnote 58: Purposely uncompleted to give suspense strength to hold
over into next--slowing--episode.]
136--Blinker's apartment.
Man caring for Blinker, somewhat burned. Sad and downcast.
Man admits Oldport. Lawyer listens to story.
137--Hospital entry.
Bill comes out, discharged--head bandaged. He takes a card
out of pocket--looks and puts back. He does not know what to
do, then decides, and goes off.[59]
[Footnote 59: Observe how girl's fate is withheld till disposition of
less important characters is shown.]
138--Ella's room.
Florence in bed. Ella attending. Bill knocks, is admitted.
139--Blinker's apartment.
Oldport sees Blinker is able to talk business. He assumes
quizzical air, says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"MAYBE I CAN KEEP YOU HERE LONG ENOUGH TO TAKE UP THAT
DEFERRED MATTER--"
Blinker wearily assents. Oldport begins:
_Cut-in leader--_
"YOUR FATHER INTENDED THAT THE PARLORS OF CERTAIN BUILDINGS
SHOULD BE USED BY THE GIRL-TENANTS AS PLACES WHEREIN TO
ENTERTAIN THEIR MALE CALLERS."
Blinker gives start of surprise--query--agony--cries out:
_Cut-in leader--_
"'BRICKDUST ROW,' FOR A MILLION!"
Oldport smiles:
_Cut-in leader--_
"I BELIEVE THE GIRLS HAVE SOME SUCH NICKNAME FOR IT. WHAT
SHALL I DO?"
Horrible! Blinker in spasm of anguish:
_Cut-in leader--_
"BURN IT! RAZE IT! DO WHAT YOU LIKE--BUT I TELL YOU--IT'S
TOO LATE, MAN--IT'S TOO LATE!--"
He flings away.
140--Ella's room.
Bill chatting with Ella. Seems to have good feeling for
her--devouring hot-cake she has made as he talks with
Florence, who is sitting up. He takes out card, says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"THAT GUY YOU WAS WID--IS HE ON THE SQUARE?--HE AST ME TO
CALL ON HIM--"
Florence suddenly recalls all that has happened. She turns
her face away, unable to control tears of despondency.
141--Blinker's apartment.
Oldport goes. Blinker "chases" his man, sits in bad mood,
sour and lovelorn by turns.
142--Ella's room.
Bill dismayed--demands what he has said. Florence sits
up--controls herself. Says, gently:
_Cut-in leader--_
"HE--HE ISN'T GOING TO--SEE ME ANY MORE--I GUESS."
Bill is all anger--"Why?" She tells him:
_Cut-in leader--_
"I DON'T THINK--OUR--WAYS OF LIVING--"
She breaks down.
143--Close-up of Bill.
"The son of a brat!"--so he has chucked "Little Sis" has he,
the rich piker? Well, Bill can see about that! Of course he
thinks the worst of Blinker.
144--Wider-angle view.
Bill rises and tiptoes out. Florence weeping softly with
Ella comforting--rough yet tender.
145--Blinker's apartment.
Man admits Bill and is dismissed. Blinker hearty--then sees
Bill's anger. Rises. Big scene where Bill denounces him,
saying:
_Cut-in leader--_
"YOU GOT TO BE SQUARE WITH THAT KID!"
Blinker misunderstands. Bill comes near to throttling him,
before Blinker can gasp:
_Cut-in leader--_
"YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND--IT WAS ONLY A DIFFERENCE
OF--OPINION--"
Bill waits to find out. Blinker hesitates, then, seeing
threat, begins to explain.
146--Ella's room.
Florence seems to be asleep, and Ella sneaks off for some
milk or something. Florence gets up, sad and despondent.
Slowly begins to dress.
147--Blinker's apartment.
Bill amazed at Blinker, who ends up:
_Cut-in leader--_
"IT'S A QUESTION OF ETHICS--"
Bill glowers and snaps:
_Cut-in leader--_
"ETHICS BE DAMNED! IT'S A QUESTION OF--ARE YOU GOIN' TUH
BLAME HER FOR THE VERY THING YOU MADE HER DO?"
Blinker begins to consider.
148--Ella's room.
Florence dressing (suspense: Does she recall that revolver
and want to add her tragedy to the dreary ones of "Brickdust
Row?")
149--Blinker's apartment.
Big realization--"All my fault." Blinker goes off with Bill.
150--Ella's room.
Ella soothing Florence. Latter does not wish to live. All
life is black before her.
151--Hall outside door.
Comedy relief as Bill and Blinker come on and latter draws
back in a natural suspense as to his reception and Bill
tells him to "beat it on in!" Blinker knocks, and goes in.
Bill pauses.
152--Ella's room.
Florence looks up. Ella surprised. Blinker pauses. Ella
seems to be attracted by something.
153--Crack of open door.
Bill is making violent gestures to get Ella out.
154--Ella's room.
Ella catches Bill's idea, and moves unostentatiously out.
Then Blinker strides to Florence. He says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"IT'S ALL WRONG. I'VE COME TO SQUARE IT."
Florence is reserved, chilly, as she says:
_Cut-in leader--_
"YOU MEAN--ABOUT THE PARLORS?"
Blinker is beside her, and catching her hands he cries:
_Cut-in leader--_
"I MEAN--ABOUT _YOU_!--AND _ME_!"
In spite of herself, Florence is forced to lift her eyes,
and as she reads the look in his own she is compelled to
realize that the air is cleared at last and that the
happiness that seemed dead is again alive--palpitant
happiness that draws her into his ready arms.
155--Hall outside Ella's room.
Bill "fixes it up" with Ella to "travel double." She wants
to rush in and tell her chum, but Bill stays her: "Nix--let
'em do some clinchin' first!"
156--Ella's room.
Florence and Blinker embracing.
Circle diaphragm closes to blackness.[60]
[Footnote 60: This is the script before it reached production. If you
see the picture you will no doubt observe directorial alterations that
came up during production. In that case you will have valuable
experience in seeing the difference between the original--the
script-writer's conception--and the directorial interpretation.]
CHAPTER XXI
MARKETING THE PHOTOPLAY SCRIPT
Writing the photoplay is essentially an art; marketing the photoplay
script is a business; and the sooner the writer adopts intelligent,
up-to-date business methods in offering his stories, the sooner he is
likely to find the checks coming in. It is not enough merely to send
out your script; it must be sent to that editor who is in the market
for the kind of script you have written. As one editor has said,
"Don't send a Biblical photoplay to a firm that makes a specialty of
Indian and cowboy subjects."
Your first care, then, should be to have as complete a knowledge as
possible of what every company is doing, what kinds of stories they
need at the time, where their field-companies are working, and, above
all, what kinds of scripts certain companies positively do _not_ want
at _any_ time. For of course, there are companies with definitely
fixed policies, besides concerns that announce from time to time that
they are unable to use stories of this or that sort.
The most important aids to a thorough knowledge of the photoplay
market are the different moving-picture trade-journals and the
magazines published exclusively for writers.[61] By studying them you
will equip yourself with a first-hand knowledge of what the different
studio editors need, and so be on the right road. Don't take a
gambler's chance by sending out your scripts without knowing precisely
what is a good prospect.
[Footnote 61: See Chapter XIV.]
In almost every one of the foregoing chapters we have raised points
that bear upon the selling of your story as well as affect the
particular part of the script then being discussed. To repeat one
instance, you were advised not only to satisfy yourself that a company
is in the market for society stories, but to look into the nature of
the stock-company producing their plays. If the company you select is
one that features a woman in most of its picture-stories, and yours is
a photoplay with a strong male lead, you would be unwise to submit it
there. True, it might be accepted and one of the studio writers
commissioned to rewrite it in order to give the "fat" part to the
leading woman, but your check would be proportionately smaller to
compensate for the rewriting--you would, in fact, be paid little more
than if you had sold the bare idea.
In submitting your script to a given company, do not address it to
individuals, unless there is a very good reason for so doing--and
there seldom is. Address your letter either to the "Editor, Blank Film
Company," or to the "Manuscript Department." Most useless of all is
the practice of sending to some person who is known to be associated
with a certain company, without knowing just what his position is.
Once the photoplaywright has begun to sell his scripts, he will
usually prefer to do his own marketing. If, he argues, he is able to
write salable photoplays, why should he share his checks with authors'
agents or photoplay clearing houses? Yet many writers find an agency
to be advantageous. But you had better take the advice of an
experienced friend before committing your work to an intermediary--not
all are capable and not all are honest.
One thing the writer should remember: _Send a script to only one firm
at a time._ There is one company at least, and there may be more,
which announces that no carbon copies of scripts will be considered.
The implication, of course, is that they are afraid to pass on carbon
copies for fear that at the time they are looking over a script it may
have been already purchased by some other company. If you _do_ send
out a carbon copy of your script, make it plain to the editor in your
accompanying letter that the original script has gone astray or been
destroyed, and you are sending the carbon in its place for that
reason. But why send a carbon script at all? If you think enough of
your work to want to see it well-dressed, make a clean, fresh copy and
take no risks.
It is literally true that many an author has spoiled his chances of
ever selling to certain companies because he sold a story to a second
company before making certain that it had been rejected by the first
to which it was sent. Imagine the complication of receiving a check
from B shortly after the author has had word that A has purchased the
same story!
A manuscript should _never_ be rolled--it irritates a busy editor to
have to straighten out a persistently curling package of manuscript.
The sheets should not be permanently fastened together. It is simple
diplomacy to make the reading of your script an agreeable task instead
of an annoyance.
Do not fold an 8-1/2 x 11-inch sheet of paper more than twice. Fold it
but once, or else make two even folds and the script will be in proper
form to fit the legal-sized envelope. Heavy manilla envelopes are the
strongest, but we have never had cause to complain of the white,
stamped envelopes to be had at any post-office. If you choose to use
these, ask for sizes 8 and 9. Your script, folded twice, will fit
snugly into the size 8, which is to be the self-addressed return
envelope. Do _not_ put your MS. in the return envelope. In enclosing
the smaller envelope, turn it with the open side down, so as to avoid
having the flap cut when the outer envelope is opened with a paper
knife.
Attach the full amount of postage to _both_ envelopes; never enclose
loose stamps--and _never_ forget to stamp the inner envelope if you
wish to get your manuscript back in case of rejection. At this writing
(February, 1919), a three-cent stamp will bring it back to you, but
you will have to pay whatever else is due before receiving the letter;
and if the story sells, and you receive nothing but the check, you
will have the satisfaction of knowing that you have not been stingily
economical in sending it out.
See that your name and address are on the upper left-hand corner of
the going envelope; be sure, too, that the return envelope is properly
self-addressed.
We should not advise the young writer to put the price demanded for
his script in the upper right-hand corner of the first sheet, though
this is where it should go if he does wish to stipulate the amount for
which he will sell it. It is very much better simply to write:
"Submitted at usual rates." Even after you have sold to a given
company, it is better, as a rule, to leave the matter of payment to
the editor. You may be sure that he will pay you just as much as your
story is worth, being governed only by the price-limit fixed by the
manufacturer. Today, almost every manufacturer realizes that the day
of getting "something for nothing" is past. In other words, he
realizes that the script--the story--is the very keystone of the
photoplay arch, and if the story is purchased from a free-lance
writer, he must be prepared to pay a fair price for it.
It is impossible, in a work of this kind, to say what certain
companies are in the habit of paying, but it may roughly be said that
the minimum price _per reel_ today is $50. Most of the larger
producing companies are glad to pay a minimum of $100 per reel for
satisfactory material, and $1,000 for a five-reel script--or even for
a five-reel story in synopsis form, if that is the company's
policy--is regularly paid by those who are entitled to be called "the
leading producers." Most companies have a fixed, uniform price-scale;
and it would be silly for any one to say that you will be paid a
certain amount for your story "if it suits them." We have in mind a
certain large company that is in the habit of paying $1,000 for all
the five-reel synopses it purchases. If your story is not what this
company wants, of course it will not be purchased at all. If your
story does suit them, you may be certain of receiving a check for
$1,000 at least--and we say "at least" because they have been known to
pay still higher prices if the story is really unusual and hence
especially valuable to them. This same company--as do nearly all
concerns--frequently pays a price greatly exceeding $1,000 for the
work of authors with "big names," because, of course, the value of the
big name is not to be denied.
Experience alone will teach you which companies pay the best prices;
after you have sold several scripts, and have become acquainted with
the price-scale of different studios, you will, if the play suits that
particular market, naturally offer your material first to the company
that has paid you best. But just as soon as a script comes back from
one company--so long as you feel certain that it is not in your power
to improve it before letting it go out again--send it out to another,
and then to another, until it is either accepted or so worn or soiled
that it is politic to recopy it. And don't wait too long to do this
simple act of justice to your brain-child. Whatever you do, don't stop
with three or four rejections--keep at it until you are _sure_ the
market is exhausted. But be certain to review your script for possible
improvements each time it comes back to you.
Keep up your output. Do not write one story, send it out, and then
wait patiently for its return, or for the editor's check. Plan a new
story, write it, and send it out. Then plan another and follow the
same course. Photoplay marketing is a business, and a business man is
usually "on the job" six days a week.
It is best not to write a letter to the editor, to accompany your
script, unless there is a very special reason for so doing. Nor should
the writer rush a letter of inquiry off in case he does not hear from
the editor within a week or two after submitting his story. Delay may
be a hopeful sign. If you hear nothing in two months it is time enough
to write--briefly and courteously. Nearly all companies, however, will
report well within that period.
It is utterly impossible in a work of this nature to include a list of
the requirements of every photoplay editor. The policy of the
manufacturers is always subject to change. Their requirements are
governed by the number of scripts of each kind they have on hand, the
disposal of their field-companies, the season of the year, the ability
of their directors to turn out the various kinds of pictures, and also
by individual preferences.
The way to keep posted on the current needs of the various companies
is to study on the screen the pictures of the different producing
firms; to read in the trade-journals the synopses of all the releases
that you do not have the opportunity of witnessing; and to keep in
touch with the announcements made by the manufacturers themselves in
the weekly and monthly journals mentioned in Chapter XIV.
"Where and How to Sell Manuscripts," by William B. McCourtie, issued
by the publishers of this book ($2.50), contains a frequently revised
list of over 5,000 markets for literary material of all sorts,
including photoplays.
Keep a record of every script you send out. Here is one simple form
for a manuscript book or card index:
---------------------------------------------------------------
Title | Sent to | Returned from | Date | Sold to | Date | Price
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
Do not let the printed rejection slip humiliate you. Really great
writers get them, constantly. This statement is equally true of both
fiction and photoplay writing. It would take too much time and money
for an editorial staff to write personal letters to all who offer
unsolicited manuscript.
Never write petulant or sarcastic letters when your offerings are
rejected. You may need the good-will of that editor some day. Although
personal pique seldom actuates him, he may be frail enough to be
annoyed when his well-meant efforts are assailed.
In conclusion, we urge the writer to remember the words of Dr.
Johnson:
"All the performances of human art at which we look with praise or
wonder are instances of the resistless force of perseverance; it is by
this that the quarry becomes a pyramid, and that distant countries are
united with canals."
_APPENDICES_
APPENDIX A
SOME BOOKS DEALING WITH PLOT IN FICTION
1. MOULTON, RICHARD G.; _Shakespeare as a Dramatic Artist_, Oxford
Press, New York, 1885.
2. PRICE, WILLIAM T.; _Technique of the Drama_, Brentano, New York,
1892.
3. BARRETT, CHARLES RAYMOND; _Short Story Writing_, Baker & Taylor,
New York, 1900.
4. PERRY, BLISS; _A Study of Prose Fiction_, Houghton, Mifflin,
Boston, 1902.
5. ALBRIGHT, EVELYN MAY; _The Short-Story_, Macmillan, New York, 1907.
6. HAMILTON, CLAYTON; _Materials and Methods of Fiction_, Baker &
Taylor, New York, 1908.
7. ESENWEIN, J. BERG; _Writing the Short-Story_, Home Correspondence
School, Springfield, Mass., 1909 and 1918.
8. PHILLIPS, HENRY ALBERT; _The Plot of the Short-Story_. Out of
print. See any large library.
9. PITKIN, WALTER B.; _The Art and the Business of Story Writing_,
Macmillan, 1912.
10. ESENWEIN, J. BERG, and CHAMBERS, MARY B.; _The Art of Story
Writing_, Home Correspondence School, 1913.
11. WELLS, CAROLYN; _The Technique of the Mystery Story_, Home
Correspondence School, 1913.
12. NEAL, ROBERT WILSON; _Short Stories in the Making_, Oxford
University Press, New York, 1914.
13. NOTESTEIN, LUCY LILIAN, and DUNN, WALDO HILARY; _The Modern
Short-Story_, Barnes, New York, 1914.
14. PHILLIPS, HENRY ALBERT; _Universal Plot Catalogue_,
Stanhope-Dodge, 1915.
15. PAIN, BARRY; _The Short Story_, Doran, New York, 1916.
16. BAKER, HARRY T.; _The Contemporary Short Story_, Heath, Boston,
1916.
17. WILLIAMS, BLANCHE COLTON; _A Handbook on Story Writing_, Dodd,
Mead, New York, 1917.
APPENDIX B
ESPECIALLY HELPFUL BOOKS ON PHOTOPLAY WRITING
1. SARGENT, EPES WINTHROP; _The Technique of the Photoplay_, Moving
Picture World, New York, 1913. Third edition, 1917.
2. PHILLIPS, HENRY ALBERT; _The Photodrama_, Stanhope-Dodge Co.,
Larchmont, N.Y., 1914.
3. POWELL, A. VAN BUREN; _The Photoplay Synopsis_, Home Correspondence
School, Springfield, Mass., 1919.
INDEX
Names of authors and companies are printed in capitals; titles, and
names of magazines, are printed in italics; and other topics are set
in plain, or "Roman" type.
A
Action, 3, 4, 30, 134-141, 313, 314.
_Adrift_, 294.
_Adventure_, 305.
_After Fifty Years_, 360.
ALBRIGHT, EVELYN MAY, 74, 87, 90.
AMBROSIO COMPANY, 360.
AMERICAN COMPANY, 92, 268, 290.
Animals, 278, 279.
_Annie Crawls Upstairs_, 358-360.
ARTCRAFT, 79.
B
Backgrounds, 201.
BALZAC, 348.
BARRETT, CHARLES RAYMOND, 28, 74.
_Bells, The_, 317-320.
BIOGRAPH, 153, 155, 156, 201.
_Blue Book, The_, 355.
_Bookman, The_, 356.
_Bottle Imp, The_, 361.
BREWSTER, EUGENE V., 264, 265.
_Brickdust Row_, 363, 365.
_Bringing Up Father_, 343.
BROWNING, ROBERT, 358-360.
Burlesque, 325, 326.
BUSH, W. STEPHEN, 282, 283.
Bust, The, 17, 18, 163-166.
BYRNE BROTHERS, 326.
C
CABANNE, WILLIAM CHRISTY, 252.
Camera, 18.
Cameraman, 18.
Camera tricks, 181-185.
_Cask of Amontillado, The_, 348-350.
Cast, 18, 31, 32, 37, 109-130, 370.
Censorship, 282-289, 341.
Center of interest, 141-143.
Changes of scene, 144-161.
Characters, 18, 109-130, 140, 142, 315, 316, 337, 338.
Child actors, 279, 288.
_Class Reunion, The_, 353.
_Cleopatsy_, 342.
Climax, 26, 194.
Close-up, 18, 166-176.
COFFEY, ROBERT E., 297.
COHAN, GEORGE, 289.
COLLINS, WILKIE, 305.
Comedy Photoplays, 2, 83, 84, 324-346.
_Coming Nation, The_, 292, 293.
Complication, 89.
Conciseness, 198, 199.
Continuity: See "Scenario."
COOPER, FREDERICK TABER, 356.
Cooper-Hewitt lights, 247.
_Cord of Life, The_, 155, 156.
Costume plays, 280.
_Count of Monte Cristo, The_, 189, 190.
COWELL, HARRY, 75, 77.
Crime in photoplays, 284, 285.
Cut-back, 19, 152-157.
Cut-in, 19, 158-161, 233-237.
Cutting, 19.
D
_Daphne and the Pirates_, 253.
Denouement, 89.
_Devil Stone, The_, 236, 237, 321.
Dialogue, 3, 200, 201.
Diaphragm, 19, 20.
Diaphragming-in and -out: See "Fade-in," and "Fade-out."
DICKENS, CHARLES, 185-187.
Director, 20, 115, 116, 212-214.
Doing a picture, 20.
Double exposure, 20, 185-188.
DOYLE, A. CONAN, 348-351, 354.
_Dramatic Mirror, The_, 140, 263, 357.
Dramatic photoplay, The, 2.
Dreams, 176-181.
DREW, JOHN, 333.
DREW, MR. AND MRS. SIDNEY, 329, 333-335.
Dual-character films, 185-188.
_Duchess at Prayer, The_, 348.
DUMAS, ALEXANDER, 189.
E
_Eagle's Eye, The_, 181-183, 196, 274.
EDISON, 3, 78, 111, 172, 275, 297, 358-360.
_Editing a Motion Picture_, 227.
Editor, 20, 84, 85.
Educational films, 2, 3.
"EDWARDS, JOHN MILTON," 82.
_Eight Bells_, 326.
Episode, 194.
ESSANAY, 77.
_Everybody's Girl_, 363-407.
Expense of production, 268-281.
Exteriors, 20, 248, 249.
Extras, 21.
Extravaganza, 326.
F
Fade in, 21.
Fade out, 21.
FAIRBANKS, DOUGLAS, 2, 102.
"Faked" scenes, 269-272.
FAMOUS PLAYERS, 189, 190.
Farce, 2, 324, 325.
FARNUM, WILLIAM, 186.
Feature photoplays, 24, 188-193.
_Fiction Factory, The_, 82.
Fiction writing an aid to photoplay writing, 5-16.
_Figaro, Paris_, 308, 309.
FILDEW, WILLIAM E., 252, 253.
Film, 21, 22.
FINE ARTS, 253.
FISHER, "BUD," 343.
Footage, 22.
Fox, 186-188.
Frame, 22.
FROHMAN, DANIEL, 304.
G
GOLDWYN, 85.
_Grande Bretêche, La_, 348.
GREEN, ANNA KATHERINE, 138.
GRIFFITH, D.W., 153, 157, 167, 226, 336.
H
Hackneyed themes, 296-300.
HALÉVY, LUDOVIC, 307.
_Hamlet_, 325, 326.
HARRISON, LOUIS REEVES, 91, 293.
HAZARD, FLOYD HAMILTON, 304, 322.
HAZLITT, WILLIAM, 338.
Heart-interest, 293, 305.
_Hearts of the World_, 157.
"HENRY, O.," 201, 351, 352, 363.
HOADLEY, C.B., 132, 149.
HOAGLAND, HERBERT CASE, 134, 138, 301, 322, 356.
HOFFMAN, ARTHUR S., 305, 306.
_How to Write a Photoplay_, 134, 301, 356.
Human interest, 305, 306.
Humor: See "Comedy."
I
Idea, 22.
_In the Country God Forgot_, 82.
_Incendiary Foreman, The_, 273.
Insert, 22, 157-161, 218-244.
Interest centralized, 141-143.
Interpose, 22, 387.
_Intolerance_, 167, 168.
IRVING, SIR HENRY, 317.
IRWIN, MAY, 325.
J
JACOBS, W.W., 355.
JOHNSON, SAMUEL, 415.
K
_Kaiser, The_, 127.
KALEM, 132.
KATTERJOHN, MONTE M., 302.
KEENAN, FRANK, 320.
KEYSTONE COMEDY, 329.
L
LANG, PHIL, 132, 133.
Leaders, 4, 22, 157-161, 218-244.
_Leavenworth Case, The_, 138.
Letters, 237-242.
Lighting, 247-249, 280, 281.
_Little Stone God, The_, 355.
Location, 22, 23, 166.
LUBIN, 78.
M
_Macbeth_, 282, 318.
MACGRATH, HAROLD, 301, 302.
MCMANUS, GEORGE, 343.
_Magazine Maker, The_, 75, 77.
Manuscript record, 415.
Marketing the photoplay, 408-415.
Mask, 161-163.
MAUDE, CYRIL, 333.
MAUPASSANT, GUY DE, 351.
Memories, 176-181.
MERWIN, BANNISTER, 172-175, 192, 197, 297.
METRO, 333.
_Monkey's Paw, The_, 355.
MOORE, JOHN ROBERT, 361, 362.
_Mortmain_, 184, 185.
_Motion Picture Classic_, 263.
_Motion Picture Magazine_, 263, 264.
_Motion Picture News_, 263, 336.
_Motion Picture Story, The_, 242.
Motivation, 88.
_Motography_, 263.
_Moving Picture Stories_, 15, 264.
_Moving Picture World, The_, 29, 91, 103, 120-122, 132, 133, 174,
227, 231, 252, 253, 263, 282, 283, 286, 293, 332, 334, 335.
Multiple reel, 23, 24.
_Murders in the Rue Morgue, The_, 361.
_Mutt and Jeff_, 343.
N
Names, 120-126.
_Necklace, The_, 351.
Negative, 23.
NEHLS, R.R., 92, 268, 270, 290, 291.
NESTOR, 34.
_New Catacomb, The_, 348-350, 354.
O
Objectionable subjects, 282-303.
_Old Musician, The_, 129.
OPPENHEIM, JAMES, 358-360.
Originality, 260-262, 347-362.
Outdoor scenes, 20, 248, 249.
Over-condensation, 199, 223-225.
P
Padding, 189.
"Panorams," 168, 235.
PARAMOUNT, 127, 236, 321.
Part, 24.
PATHÉ, 273, 319, 322, 342.
PHILLIPS, HENRY ALBERT, 87.
Photographing, 208-210.
Photoplay:
construction of, defined, 1-4;
kinds of, 2;
terms, 17-28.
_Photoplay Author, The_: See _The Writer's Monthly_.
_Photoplay Magazine_, 286, 288.
PICKFORD, MARY, 168.
_Picture-Play Magazine_, 263.
_Pierre of the North_, 129.
_Pippa Passes_, 358-360.
Plagiarism, 350-357.
Plot, 7, 8, 16, 23, 30, 87-95, 136, 255-266.
_Plot of the Short Story, The_, 23, 87.
POE, EDGAR ALLAN, 348-350, 361, 362.
Positive, 23.
POWELL, A. VAN BUREN, 363-407.
PREVOST, MARCEL, 308.
PRIBYL, JOHN F., 283-285.
Print, 23.
R
Red Cross, 3, 300.
Reel, 24.
REEVE, ARTHUR B., 193.
_Reformation of Calliope, The_, 352.
Register, 24, 25.
Rehearsals, 249, 250.
Release, 25.
S
SARGENT, EPES WINTHROP, 29, 77, 103, 107, 120-122, 156, 157, 165,
172, 175, 228, 242, 250, 290, 305, 332.
Scenario, 19, 25, 29, 32, 37-54, 131-203, 371-407.
Scene, 25, 144-161, 204-217, 231.
Scene-plot, 25, 32, 33, 204-217.
Script, 25, 26;
its component parts, 29-33;
mechanical preparation of, 55-71.
SEITZ, GEORGE B., 194.
SELIG, 2, 78, 129, 189, 190, 283-285.
Sequence in the action, 135-137.
Serials, 26, 193.
Set, 26, 204-217.
Setting, 26, 166, 204-217.
_Short Story, The_, 74, 87, 90.
_Short-Story Writing_, 28.
Situation, 26, 27.
Split reel: See "Reel."
Stage, 27, 245-254.
Stock people, 27.
Stop-camera work, 176-181.
STORY, WALTER, 283-285.
_Strand Magazine_, 352, 354.
STRINGER, ARTHUR, 184, 185.
Struggle, 89.
Studio, 27.
Subject, 28.
Sub-title: See "Leader."
SULLIVAN, C. GARDNER, 127.
_Sun, New York_, 304.
_Sun, Sand and Solitude_, 82.
_Superba_, 326.
Super-imposure: See "Double exposure."
Suspense, 137-140, 157, 195.
_Swell Miss Fitzwell, The_, 325.
Synopsis, 31, 35-37, 87-109, 365-370.
T
_Tale of Two Cities, A_, 185-187.
_Technique of the Photoplay, The_, 165, 242.
THANHOUSER, 272.
Themes, desirable, 304-323;
undesirable, 282-303.
_Thirteenth Man, The_, 353.
THOMAS, A.W., 288.
_Three Friends_, 153, 201.
Tinting, 28.
Title, 28, 72-86.
TREMAYNE, W.A., 129.
TRIANGLE, 79, 127.
Trite themes, 296-300.
Typewriting, 59-70.
U
UNIVERSAL, 34, 127, 297.
V
VERNE, JULES, 311.
Visions, 28, 176-181.
Visualization, 132, 133.
VITAGRAPH, 106, 107, 129, 171, 172, 184, 185, 277, 278, 297, 302,
350, 363.
W
_Wasted Sacrifice, A_, 106, 107, 277, 278, 302.
WEBER, LOIS, 231.
WELLS, ELMER N., 129.
WHARTON, 181-183, 196, 274.
WHARTON, EDITH, 348.
_Without Reward_, 34-54, 208-212.
WOODS, FRANK E., 226, 227, 357.
WRIGHT, WILLIAM LORD, 242, 243.
Writers of photoplays,
Previous training of, 5-16.
_Writer's Monthly, The_, 98, 107, 132, 149, 264.
_Writing for the Magazines_, 338-341.
_Writing the Short-Story_, 23, 77, 87, 357.