Alice Joyce — “How I Got In” (1917) 🇺🇸
The star who vanished — but in her reappearance is shining more brightly than ever
“How did I get in?” mused Alice Joyce. “Well, it just happened so, or almost. I was working as a model when a photographer whom I had posed for sent for me and introduced me to Mr. Buel [Kenean Buel], director at Kalem’s. Mr. Buel had given many beginners a chance, and was good enough to give me a lead in The Engineer’s Sweetheart, and I continued with him two years.
“My first impression of the camera was pure and simple. I knew only one thing: Act naturally and dont look at the camera.’ I had no experience in horseback riding — the important thing in that picture. Soon as I became accustomed to the camera, I became interested in seeing what I could do, tho I was completely worn out from the antics of that horse, and am sure I should never have returned the second day had it not been for Mr. Buel’s kindly encouragement.
“The conditions under which pictures are produced have been greatly improved; shorter studio hours, for one thing. I have worked under the long and the short hour regime, and I know that players are happier and do more and better work with short hours. Miracles have been accomplished in motion pictures, | but there is still a chance for improvement. If producers could see the pictures as audiences see them, the stories and titles would soon be improved upon enormously. And I think there should be more fairness about the money question. Why shouldn’t a company make more money on a star who is drawing big audiences than on one who keeps audiences away and yet draws enormous salaries because he or she has good business ability? I think players should be paid according to the money they bring in.
“I cannot compare photoplay work with the stage because I have had no experience on the stage, except one night in a sketch. One thing I do know — it always makes me ill to appear before an audience. So I am sure I could never have succeeded on the speaking stage. I like my work immensely, but would never advise any one to go into it. It is too long and hard a road to travel. Rather, I advise every one who has photoplay aspirations to stick to their ‘job’ and do it the very best that it is possible to do it, whether housekeeping, dressmaking, blacksmithing or any other thing. I was more fortunate than most — it happened that a girl was needed in a hurry or perhaps I never should have been accepted. Fate (impersonated by Mr. Buel) was kind — that was all. It gave me my chance; but I have worked for and earned every bit of success that has come my way.”
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Collection: Motion Picture Magazine, August 1917
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