FILM-STRUCK GIRLS

Waikato Times, Volume 94, Issue 14585, 7 February 1921, Page 7

FILM-STRUCK GIRLS

WHAT ARE THEIR CHANCES? Feminine aspirants to film honours are numbered in their thousands. A frank estimate of tiie chances of success on the British screen may disillusion many wouM-be screen actresses, hut also it may save much bitter disappointment, loss of time, ami money. The screen-struck girl who is convinced that, giyen the chance, siie will prove to be. the Mary Pick ford of England little realises the unsunnountable cbstacles in the path of the film aspirant (writes a film actress in an English exchange). Under the present conditions in England, except for the fortunate few who belong to stock companies or who have built up a reputation of many years' standing, it is impossible to earn a living by film work. 1 would even go so far as to say that a novice would find It extremely difficult to get a day's work oi' the screen. There is, unfortunately, no recognised entrance to ttie Him profession. Letters of introduction often prove useless; a producer who will consider the payment of a premium for a part is a man of whom to fight shy, and the books of kinema agents are already filled to overflowing with the names of experienced film workers. Persistent efforts may result in a fewdays' "crowd" work, but only those who have tried it know what a weary, unsatisfactory, heart-breaking job it is to work in a film "crowd." There is no limit to the number of hours an exacting producer may ■ work Ins "crowd," and the 1 r>s or a guinea earned in the day is considerably diminished by the fare to any outlying studio and the necessary food bought at the studio csnteen. Even the beginner who is fortunate enough to be cast, for parts is little better off financially than the "crowd" worker. An inexperienced actress receives from 30s to D guineas a day, according to the Importance of her part, but her expenses are enormous. In British films an actress must supply her own clothes. A part in a modern screen play may require from flv.j to 1") or even more changes of smart costume. Every girl knows the price of even the. most, ordinary clothes nowadays, it is not an exaggeration to say that many beginners spend a. greatdeal more in dressing a part than they receive, for playing it. Powerful influence, a ready-made re-, putation on the stagp, or notoriety—these are (lie only qualifications which .vill gain a trial fur the novice. But even these qualifications will not ensure success. To succeed on the screen a girl must not merely he pretty; she must also appear pleasing to the eye of the camera under the most trying lighting and from all angles. She must have a marked personality, a nimble brain, education, breeding, deportment, faultless teeth, hands and ankles, the gift of wearing clothes, utter lack of selfconsciousness, and ttie faculty of complete 1 obedience. A British producer cannot afford to waste lime, footage, and lighting in coaching a beginner and perhaps imperilling the success of Ills picture. Perhaps this is a statement of the darkest side of the question. A girl blessed with abnormal luck may have a different experience; but on the whole my advice to the girl who aches to join the struggling crowd at the foot of the ladder of British screen success is—- " Don't."