Morgan BellStoneage Screenwriting
November 23rd 2008 17:28
There is a free screenwriting newletter that circulates writing and tips to subscribers. It is a free service offered by Phil Gladwin on Screenwriting Goldmine. The website and newletters are a great practical resource for writers working on scripts and searching for their big break.
In a recent newsletter Phil Gladwin uncovered an "antique" writers guide which I thought was absolutely fascinating and wanted to share.
This following is from Phil's newsletter:
Something interesting here - I've found what has to be pretty well the first ever book on screenwriting.
It's not actually stone age, but it was written nearly one hundred years ago, way back in 1913, the Stone Age of the movie industry, at a time when they didn't even have to worry about dialogue - and it's absolutely AMAZING how similar much of it is to
the principles we all know today.
Just goes to show how timeless the right storytelling techniques really are.
It's called 'Writing The Photoplay' and it's by J. Berg Esenwein and Arthur Leeds
("Photoplay" Isn't that wonderful?)
Here's a couple of sentences that made me smile:
"Writing the photoplay is essentially an art; marketing the photoplay is essentially 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."
Same as it ever was...
I was going to email it to you, but it's still in copyright here in the UK, so if you're interested
just wander along to Google Books.It's fully downloadable from there, and it's a fascinating read.
Well if I think its fascinating, and Phil thinks its fascinating . . . it MUST be fascinating!
In a recent newsletter Phil Gladwin uncovered an "antique" writers guide which I thought was absolutely fascinating and wanted to share.
This following is from Phil's newsletter:
Something interesting here - I've found what has to be pretty well the first ever book on screenwriting.
It's not actually stone age, but it was written nearly one hundred years ago, way back in 1913, the Stone Age of the movie industry, at a time when they didn't even have to worry about dialogue - and it's absolutely AMAZING how similar much of it is to
the principles we all know today.
Just goes to show how timeless the right storytelling techniques really are.
It's called 'Writing The Photoplay' and it's by J. Berg Esenwein and Arthur Leeds
("Photoplay" Isn't that wonderful?)
Here's a couple of sentences that made me smile:
"Writing the photoplay is essentially an art; marketing the photoplay is essentially 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."
Same as it ever was...
I was going to email it to you, but it's still in copyright here in the UK, so if you're interested
just wander along to Google Books.It's fully downloadable from there, and it's a fascinating read.
Well if I think its fascinating, and Phil thinks its fascinating . . . it MUST be fascinating!
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Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
well im glad i fascinated at least ONE person!
my work here is done!
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Perhaps that's your problem?
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
man, is that where im going wrong?
more images!
oh well, i just thought theres probably a few screenwriters out there that may find this stuff interesting . . . i really enjoy getting Phil's emails, his tips apply to all sorts of writing
"It might seem like I'm a bit agitated about something. I won't talk about the real reason. It's a personal matter."
haha post of the year
Really Long Link
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
Comment by Morgan Bell
Deep Pencil
Current Business News
Movie Train
Artist Quirk
well in an alternate reality im probably a dominatrix . . . or maybe thats just the future!
i havent mastered the art of patronising people to death quite yet though . . .