LESSON IV.
Formation of Plot.
Your plot will not come to you in a finished form. You will probably have the idea in the rough state.
As thought engenders thought, so does one Idea create or develop another. Draw from your imagination and instead of being content with one or two ideas, weave a chain of events, ideas and circumstances so as to make a story worth while.
Arrange the action of your story so that it grows logically, and have the scenes follow each other in natural succession.
Start with an incident that arouses interest, develop the theme in a consistent way and work for the big climax at the finish.
Every plot must have a purpose or problem to solve; obstacles will present themselves and difficulties are bound to arise, which by a chain of events must be removed.
The last scene must clear up all problems or preceding events.
The good theme, or object of the play, should win out in the end, although it can be thwarted at different times to cause suspense.
Be sure that suspense predominates and is carried out from the beginning to the end.
Your story must have strength and be fascinating enough to hold the spectators throughout the play.
Plot is the keynote of the successful Photoplay and with proper formation will draw the checks from the Producers.