STAGE:  The actual photoplay stage is that space within the range of the camera in which the action of that given scene will be apparent.  In an interior setting it may be the space between the camera and the walls of the set, to the full extent of the camera-range, in which radius a host of people may be used; or, in the case of action where intense emotion must be made clearly apparent, the stage may be only a space beginning at a point from six to eleven feet from the camera lens, and only as wide as the radius of the camera-angle at that distance.  Actually, the stage is a variable area, within the camera-range, in the scope of which the required action will be comprehended.

STOCK PEOPLE:  The regular members of the stock company employed by the manufacturer, who draw a stipulated weekly salary, even though not acting in a picture every working day.

STUDIO:  That part of the producing plant where the pictures are taken.  In its broadest sense, “studio” is often used as meaning the entire manufacturing plant; but such a plant contains, besides the “studio,” the lighting plant, carpenter shop, scene dock, property room, developing room, drying room, joining or assembling room, wardrobe room, paint bridge and scene-painting department, dressing rooms, offices, etc.

SUBJECT:  Another term for the play.  According to its nature, a picture is known as a “comedy subject,” “dramatic subject,” and so on.

SUB-TITLE:  See Leader.

SUPER-IMPOSURE:  See Double Exposure.

TINTING:  Such effects as moonlight, artificial light in a room, firelight, etc., are gained largely by dyeing, or tinting, the positive film in various colors.  Tinting is also frequently resorted to for no other reason than to enhance the beauty of the scene, as when sunset scenes are tinted in one of half a dozen suitable tones, or when exteriors are dyed in some shade of brown or green.

TITLE:  The name of the story.  A very important element, since it is really an advertisement to draw attention to the photoplay, as well as an announcement telling what it is about.  “A good title is apt, specific, attractive, new and short."[5]

[Footnote 5:  Charles Raymond Barrett, Short Story Writing.]

VISION:  The showing of a small scene within a larger scene, as in the case of a lover seated, thinking of his sweetheart, and a vision of the object of his thought appearing in a corner of the scene, and disappearing as he smiles.  Visions are resorted to usually to indicate the thought of a character, and should be used only sparingly, if at all.

CHAPTER IV

THE PHOTOPLAY SCRIPT:  ITS COMPONENT PARTS

We know what a photoplay is; now what are the component parts of a photoplay script?