Category: Writing Tips

  • The Photoplay Stage

    Its Scope.—The scope, or view, encompassed by a photo-play camera is commonly called the “photoplay stage,” no matter whether in a studio or out-of-doors. The photoplay stage, then, may seem to the beginner to be quite a large area; but, in reality, it is not so large as it at first seems. The fact of […]

  • What To Write About

    Why the Human Element Is Important.—The human element-heart interest and human interest—sells more manuscripts than anything else. No matter how cleverly your work is written, how carefully constructed your plot, how gripping the events, it will fail if it lacks heart interest or human interest. You must capture the interest and smypathy of your audience. […]

  • Things You Should Not Write About

    Avoid Impossible, Impracticable and Too Expensive Subjects. The preceding chapter has indicated the importance of knowing what to write about. It is also vital for the beginner. to know what he should not write about, for there are many subjects which, in themselves, make the sale of a photoplay practically impossible. The beginner often writes […]

  • Writing Comedy

    The Four Types of Humorous Plays.—In the photoplay world, there are few fine distinctions between the different types of manuscripts. Plays are loosely classified as “dramas” or “comedies,” depending on whether they are inclined to be serious or merely funny. There are four distinct types of comedy subjects: (1) Extravaganza, (2) burlesque, (3) farce, (4) […]

  • What Knowledge Must I Have To Succeed?

    Is Book Education Essential?—I wish I could proclaim the following to the whole world as my audience. It is such good news to all who are held down by doubt that every-one should know about it. Let me state with the utmost emphasis at my command that thousands of writers have succeeded and are succeeding […]

  • The Writer, His Methods

    Do Not Despise a Humble Beginning.—While the writer should always aim to do the best work of which he is capable, this does not mean that he should despise the day of small beginnings. Better work tomorrow can only be accomplished upon the foundation of good work, carefully finished, today. It is not unusual to […]

  • Why Manuscripts Are Rejected

    Nine Reasons Why a Photoplay May Be Rejected. —The rejection of a manuscript is generally a mystery to its author; he can’t understand why his work should be returned. On the contrary, he fails to perceive how any editor could exist without his brain child. In the light of this, a few words from one […]

  • How Successful Writers Sell Their Manuscripts

    The lour Ways to Sell a Manuscript.—There are four ways of selling stories and photoplays: (I) selling under con-tract; that is, preparing a certain story or play at the editor’s order arid request; (2) offering your manuscript in person to the studio or magazine to whom you think it is best suited; (3) submitting your […]

  • Writing And Continuity, Or Scenario

    Continuity Explained.—The continuity, or scenario, is the fourth division of the photoplay script—as used by the director in the studio. In the continuity, the plot is out-lined in action, just as it appears on the screen; everything your characters do—every action they go through—is recorded in the scenario. All reading matter appearing on the screen […]

  • Excercise In Plot Building

    Perhaps the best manner in which the young writer can become most intimately acquainted with the processes of plot-building is to have stories built up and taken down right before his eyes. I cannot urge you too strongly to study all the stories you read, after you have first read them for the pleasure derived. […]