LESSON II.
Your Idea.
When starting to write your play, first settle upon your idea and add to it as your imagination pictures the plot, as it develops, until you have a sequence of events, which will form an interesting Photoplay.
Be original with your ideas, because hundreds of old ones are rejected every week. Your own personal experiences will often give you good ideas for a picture. Keen observation will lead to many good Ideas. Be observing in your everyday mode of living and you will be surprised at the number of germs and plots you will find for good Photoplays.
Get an idea that is worth while. It is the Big Idea or Plot that must be carried out to a logical and interesting conclusion.
A great many writers are not able to tell the difference between what is Plot and what is not. Hundreds of Scenarios are submitted which are written in neat up-to-date correct Scenario Form but they lack Plot and are consequently returned.
You should be able to visualize your story, and know that what you are writing can be transferred to the screen. See that the characters perform the actions according to man’s way of doing things.
Write about subjects with which you are thoroughly familiar, and study the characteristics of the parties you introduce into your story.