Essanay Rejection Letter

Anything and everything silent photoplay!
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Kitty
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Essanay Rejection Letter

Post by Kitty »

Here is a Photoplay scenario rejection letter from Essanay circa 1907-1917. Neato!
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You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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donnie
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Re: Essanay Rejection Letter

Post by donnie »

I love it! It's nice that they at least gave a reason.

So, let's see. You had to submit a legible manuscript of an unusual, interesting, pleasant story that had a strong believable plot with both action-packed dramatic situations and humor; that would pass the censors and was easy to produce, had a domestic setting—and then hope it was their style and that they were not overstocked.

A tall order, no?

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Kitty
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Re: Essanay Rejection Letter

Post by Kitty »

Exactly! It's amazing that so many pictures were made with those parameters. You also had to write it in scenario form, which not many knew how to do effectively, according to Motion Picture Story Magazine. They also suggested that if one company will not accept your story, then continue to send it in to different companies until it is accepted. In this current November 1912 issue: "Do not be discouraged if your manuscript comes back from the first five or six companies to which you submitted it. I know of one scenario that was refused by eight companies, and then accepted by the ninth." and "If you cannot think out something new, the chances are strongly against your success."
You trying to tell me you didn't hear that shriek? That was something trying to get out of its premature grave, and I don't want to be here when it does. - Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

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