Early screenwriting teachers 1910-1922: Origins, contribution and legacy

Abstract

This thesis demonstrates the previously unacknowledged contribution made by early screenwriting teachers to the development of the Hollywood film industry from 1910 to 1922. Through a study of five key screenwriting teachers from the period, it shows the significant role played by such figures in the translation of playwriting theory and theatrical tradition into writing for film. Drawing on an extensive range of primary materials, including manuals and columns written for the fan and trade press, it demonstrates the role played by such teachers in the formation and codification of a set of writing techniques specific to the film medium. In doing so, this thesis fills an important gap in the historiography of screenwriting in Hollywood, giving due credit to a body of work that has previously received only passing consideration, and highlighting the role of early screenwriting teachers, which has previously been understated if not ignored. The thesis also examines some aspects of their legacy in the context of the role and function of contemporary screening gurus.