Since it is the purpose of this volume to place in your hands every tool of the trade and every bit of information that may possibly be of assistance in winning the favor of both the manuscript editor and the director, we must now give the meaning of the technical terms used in photoplay work.  After thoroughly familiarizing yourself with these expressions and what they mean, you will still have to bear in mind the limitations of the photoplay stage (see Chapter XIII).  A lack of knowledge of the latter is directly responsible for more rejected scripts than almost any other one defect.  Do not write blindly.  Do not “take a chance” of getting your material into proper shape.  Master the little details of the work, and thus give yourself the chance to compete on even terms with those who successfully write the pictured drama.

It is important to note that each term given is defined in its relation to the photoplay, and not according to its usual or dictionary meaning.  All terms are explained in detail as the book progresses. (See Table of Contents.)

BUST:  A very close view of some object necessary to the understanding of the picture; as, a watch, a miniature, a jewel.  A bust picture is usually taken before some dark background, and does not embody any specific action, but merely gives a close view of the important object.

CAMERA:  The device with which the pictures are taken.  The operator of the camera is called, in moving-picture work, “the cameraman.”  He is, of course, an expert photographer; and, though “camera” as used here means the moving-picture camera, there is always on hand a regular plate-camera for ordinary exposures.  This is frequently used for taking “stills,” or photographs of certain striking situations in the scenes, from which are made half-tone cuts for the magazines and trade-paper illustrations, and used in designing the large and small lithographed posters used by the exhibitors.

CAMERAMAN:  See Camera.

CAST:  The characters taking individual, and not merely mass, parts in a photoplay.

CAST OF CHARACTERS:  The list of characters prepared as a part of the photoplay script for the use of the director or producer.  It is customary to make this cast of characters full enough to outline eccentricities and individualities of character, together with brief suggestions for costume.

CLOSE UP:  The enlarged portion of a scene, introduced at a point in the action where it is necessary to show some action or facial expression that would perhaps not be understandable at the regular range used for the main portion of that scene.  It is employed, as is the bust, to enlarge figures on the screen.  Like the bust, it is also designated by its own number in the continuity of scenes of a photoplay script.

CONTINUITY:  See Scenario.

CUT-BACK:  A return to a previously shown scene so as to keep the thread of the action clear.