Writing for Vaudeville Part 39

(a) _The acceptable ma.n.u.script forms into which all vaudeville material may be cast_ may be learned by consulting the examples of the different vaudeville acts given in the appendix to this volume. A moment's examination of them will show you that there is no difference between the ma.n.u.script _ways_ of presenting the different acts. All are made up of the names of characters, business and dialogue. Therefore they may all be discussed at the same time.

(b) _Have your ma.n.u.script typewritten._ This suggestion has the force of law. While it would seem self-evident that a ma.n.u.script written out in long hand has a mussy appearance, however neat the writing may be, the many hand-written ma.n.u.scripts I have tried to read suggest the necessity for pointing out this fact. You surely handicap your ma.n.u.script by offering it in long hand to a busy producer.

(c) _The two recognized methods for the typing of stage ma.n.u.scripts._ First, the entire ma.n.u.script is typed in black, blue or purple.

Then, after the ma.n.u.script is complete, the name of the character above each speech is underlined in red ink, and every bit of business throughout the ma.n.u.script is also underlined in red.

This method is ill.u.s.trated below.

[Here, text originally underlined in red appear in all CAPS.]

-36-

ACT II)

GRAVES. Yes. (TURNS TO DICTIONARY) That's all.

(ELLEN, THOUGH CURIOUS, CONTINUES READING IN AN UNDERTONE TO HER FATHER, MARLIN AND JOHN. GRAVES OPENS THE DICTIONARY, STARTS AT SIGHT OF THE NOTE, s.n.a.t.c.hES IT UP WITH TREMBLING FINGERS, AND READS IT. HIS FURY RISES. AFTER A PAUSE, CRUMPLING THE NOTE, HE TURNS TO BURTON AND SPEAKS WITH AN EFFORT)

GRAVES. Burton!

(STARTLED BY HIS TONE, THE OTHERS TURN AND REGARD GRAVES CURIOUSLY)

BURTON. Yes, sir.

GRAVES. Where's Sam?

BURTON. He went out, sir---

GRAVES. Went out?

BURTON. Y-yes, sir. About a quarter of an hour ago.

GRAVES. Where to?

BURTON. He didn't say, sir.

(GRAVES TURNS AWAY HELPLESSLY. BURTON LISTENS AND THEN EXITS C. GRAVES WALKS UP AND DOWN, WRINGING HIS HANDS)

MEAD. Anything wrong?

GRAVES (LAMELY) No, no. Don't mind me. Marlin's proposition's all right---

(PAUSE. SUSAN ENTERS R AND IS TROUBLED AT SIGHT OF GRAVES'S EMOTION)

SUSAN (APPROACHING HIM) Father---!

GRAVES (UNABLE LONGER TO RESTRAIN HIMSELF) h.e.l.l's fire!

MEAD. Christopher!

Second, a typewriter using two colors is employed. The name of the character above each speech is typed in red, and red is used to type the bits of business. The speeches alone are typed in black, blue or purple as the case may be. The following example ill.u.s.trates this method.

-32-

ACT I)

BOOTH

Heavens! It reads like a fairy tale, doesn't it?

HENRY

I don't know; does it?

BOOTH

Yes; and many thanks. I'll do my best not to let you regret it.---Only, in the old fairy tale, you know, it always ended with the---the young man's marrying the---the rich old geezer's daughter!

HENRY

(CHUCKLING) And I'm the rich old geezer, eh? Well, I mightn't 'a' been half as rich this minute if it wasn't for you!---Heigho!

(SIZES UP BOOTH) Now, I suppose my cantankerous daughter wouldn't have you, Piercy; not if I said anything to her about it. But if she would---and you was willin'---

(HELEN AND BOOTH EXCHANGE ELOQUENT GLANCES)

---why, you're just about the feller I'd want her to have.

(HELEN DANCES A LITTLE SKIRT DANCE OF DELIGHT BETWEEN THE DOOR L AND THE SCREEN. THEN SHE DARTS INTO THE ADJOINING ROOM, BEING OBSERVED ONLY BY BOOTH)

BOOTH

(WITH SPONTANEITY) Say, Boss, put her there again!

(ANOTHER HANDSHAKE) Do you know, you and I are getting to be better friends

Either of these methods serves the same purpose equally well. The aim is to separate the names and business from the dialogue, so that the difference may be plain at a glance. The use of either of these ways of typing a ma.n.u.script is desirable, but not absolutely necessary.

(d) _Use a "record ribbon"_ in typewriting ma.n.u.script, because a "copying ribbon " smudges easily and will soil the hands of the reader. Observation of this mechanical point is a big help in keeping a ma.n.u.script clean--and respecting the temper of your judge.

(e) _Neatness_ is a prime requisite in any ma.n.u.script offered for sale. Be sure that the finished copy is free from erasures and penciled after-thoughts. "Do all your after-thinking beforehand,"

or have a clean, new copy made.