“How to Write Photoplays”

A series exploring the 1920 book by Anita Loos and John Emerson reveals a wealth of tips which contemporary screenwriters can use.

In my ongoing research into screenwriting, I discovered the book “How to Write Photoplays,” written in 1920 by Anita Loos and her husband John Emerson.

Anita Loos and John Emerson

Loos was a superstar, the first well-known writer of what were then called “photoplays.” This series goes through the book chapter by chapter spotlighting elements that are as applicable today as they were back then.

Introduction

Getting Ideas

Crisis and Conflict

Situation

Theme

“Star Sympathy”

Action [Part 1]

Action [Part 2]

Action [Part 3]

Action [Part 4]

Action [Part 5]

Story synopsis

The Continuity [Part 1]

The Continuity [Part 2]

The Title

Marketing the Script

Writing for the Camera

Scenery for Scenarios

The Actor’s Angle [Part 1]

The Actor’s Angle [Part 2]

Character on the Screen [Part 1]

Character on the Screen [Part 2]

Character on the Screen [Part 3]

Character on the Screen [Part 4]

The “Interest” [Part 1]

The “Interest” [Part 2]

The Kinds Of Stories That Sell [Part 1]

The Kinds Of Stories That Sell [Part 2]

The Kinds Of Stories That Sell [Part 3]

The Kinds Of Stories That Sell [Part 4]

The Kinds Of Stories That Sell [Part 5]

What to Write and Not to Write [Part 1]

What to Write and Not to Write [Part 2]