LESSON III.
Topics to Write About.
There are numerous subjects you can write on, namely, Friendship, Fidelity, Thoughtfulness, High Character, Love for Mankind, Integrity, Devotion to Parents, Benevolence, Charity or Heroism.
You can also show the folly of dishonest acts, the dangers of weakness of character, selfishness or dishonorable efforts to gain wealth and fame.
The parting of friends, the meeting of enemies, the complex working of governments and politics, the new inventions and rivalry between inventors, all furnish an everlasting source of Ideas and Plots for Photoplays.
No matter how sad the play might be, at the different stages, always try and work out a happy ending.
A great number of themes can be worked into Scenarios that will teach a good lesson and portray acts that might go home to many in the audience.
In everyday life, you no doubt see many incidents that have merit for screen entertainment.
Always try to bear in mind, that the highest aim of the Photoplay is to portray true insight of human nature and character. Write Plays with heart interest.
If so inclined, you can write plays in which children take part, but so arrange the acts so they will not be impossible for the child actors. An intelligent child in a nice part in a picture goes far in gladdening the hearts of the audience.
Comedy plays are in the greatest demand. Good comedies are the most difficult to write, and naturally sell for the most money. Always remember, however, to write as your inclination leads you.
The kind of humor wanted is not of the rough nature. You should not try to make people laugh at cruel or inhuman jokes or depict scenes that cause accidents.
If you can write a play into which you can put a good moral, it will add merit to your Scenario.
Plays showing summer scenes should be submitted in the early Spring.
Winter stories should be submitted in the Fall. For instance, if you have a play with summer scenes showing a Park, the Sea Shore or any other beautiful summer location, you must submit that kind of a play in March or April. It takes from six weeks to two months for a producing company to make the necessary arrangements for the production of a play.
You must therefore, always figure ahead and if you have a Christmas Play, it should be submitted about October.