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Filmfax
Magazine is a bi-monthly, nationally distributed publication. Although
the members of the editorial staff are all media fans, Filmfax is
not a fanzine. The entertainment media we cover includes radio,
television, and film, both live action and animated, produced from the
late 1920s up to and including the mid 1970s. We do not cover new productions.
Filmfax
encourages wnters to research their articles. Our basic goal is to
historically document the entertainment field and the people involved
in it. We give preference to articles including an interview, having a
new slant on an old subject, or ones bringing to light new information
of interest to our readers. Before submitting an article proposal, we
would request that a writer carefully examine several current issues of
the magazine. A sample copy will be provided on request at our discretion.
GENERAL
INFORMATION:
At the present
time, Filmfax pays 3 cents per word for an accepted article.
All articles
submitted to Filmfax are done so on speculation. Please note that
this also includes article ideas accepted on query and assignments.
Filmfax
does not guarantee specific publication dates.
Filmfax
reserves the right to edit all articles. If extensive re-writing is
required, the manuscript will be returned to you, with suggestions if
possible and time permits.
Filmfax
buys only first rights for an article. After your article is published
you are free to do with it as you wish.
Payment for
an article is on publication. Immediately upon publication, you will receive
your check, two copies of the issue in which your article appears, and
any graphics that were submitted (see "Graphics" below).
Filmfax
is a 100% freelance publication. Therefore, we are unable to pay the
expenses of writers. Exceptions include articles mailed by Federal Express,
Overnight Mail, etc. at our request.
Filmfax
does not pay for the use of graphics.
The length
of an article is not as important as its content. Your article should
be as long as it is required to cover your topic properly. We look for
articles in all three length ranges: short (approximately 2500 words);
medium (approximately 5000 words); long (5000 words on up). Long, extensively
researched articles may be broken into two parts, if necessary.
Cover
Page:
Include Name,
address, home and work phone.
Manuscript:
All articles
are to be submitted in either typewritten form or on a hard disc compatible
with the Macintosh computer systems. (Microsoft Word is prefer- able).
If you plan to submit your article on computer disc, please contact us
for details and verification of compatibility.
Double or
triple space the article.
Paragraphs
should be indented three spaces; Single space after periods.
Number all
pages.
If using
printed materials as your sources (books, magazine articles etc), include
a bibliography. Be sure all direct quotes are credited.
Proofread
your article, paying particular attention to the spelling of proper names.
Film titles
in the context of the article should include the year of their release.
Example: War of the Worlds (1953).
If your article
includes an interview, include the address and/or phone number of the
person so that we may contact them directly and send them copies of the
magazine.
After reading
several issues of Filmfax, you should have a good idea of
the proper structure we expect in a submitted article. Following are a
few specific suggestions:
Make sure
the article has a distinct beginning, middle and end. Your opening paragraph
is the most important and should be written to capture the attention and
interest of your reader.
Interviews
submitted in the "Q & At format must have an introduction identifying
the subject and their background. The final sentence of that introduction
should lead directly into your first question. When interviewing an actor
or director, please keep in mind that the films they have done may not
be the most important story. The story may be the person.
Questions
should be (re)written with the answer in mind. They should also include
information not covered in your introduction, but required for clarification
in the body of the interview. The verbatim questions you asked during
the verbal interview may not suffice for the transcribed interview in
its final form. Rewrite them as is necessary for the education and
entertainment of the reader.
Narrative
articles should also have an introductory paragraph which focuses specifically
on the subject of the piece. If the article is about an individual film,
the name of the film should appear in your opening. Do not wait until
page two or three to let your reader know what you are writing about.
Also, please try not to have your second paragraph begin--"Big Movie
Star was born." Be creative.
For examples
of articles which may be used as guides, see the following:
1. Johnny
Jupiter (Issue #34): A good example of a well researched article on
an obscure topic. Note the companion interview with Wright King.
2. Cohn
Clive (Issue #35): While this article focuses specifically on the
actorts career, it keeps the personality of the man in the fore front.
3. Russ
Tamblyn (Issue #27): An interview article in the Q & A style.
Note the short introduction leading into the first question. Also note
that the interview quickly shifts its focus from the actor's well-known
film role, to the man himself and his personal history.
Please keep
in mind that (metaphorically speaking) an article is a circle. The beginning
leads to the end, and vice versa. Make sure paragraphs have segues; each
paragraph should lead to the next.
If you have
any questions on how to conduct an interview or on writing the article
itself, please feel free to ask. It's a sign of intelligence.
Please do
not use first person references such as "When I met with so-and-so,"
or "I have always thought that so-and-so." Our readers are interested
in your subject, not your personal opinions.
Graphics:
We always
appreciate it if graphics are submitted with an article. These will be
returned to you immediately upon publication by certified mail. Please
note the following requirements for submitting graphics (still photos,
lobby cards, newspaper ad mattes etc.):
Be sure your
name is written clearly on the back of each graphic submitted.
Number each
graphic on the back.
Include a
numbered list of your graphics describing each one. The list should include
the following information: Number of item; identification of film and/or
person or persons involved;. a brief caption if possible. Please be as
specific as you can.
If anyone
other than yourself is to be credited for the photo, still, etc., please
indicate this clearly.
Conduct
of Writers:
No writer,
including those on the Filmfax masthead, may use the name of the
magazine for personal gain. This includes:
Contacting
publishers for review copies of books.
CinemaSourcebook
reviews are assigned by Filmfax. If review copies are provided
to you in this manner, (without receiving prior approval from the Filmfax
editorial staff), and we print your review, the book becomes the property
of Filmfax and should be submitted with your review.
Contacting
video or laser disc companies ~both corporate and individually owned)
for review Copies.
Videoscan
reviews are assigned by Filmfax. If video tapes or laser
discs are provided to you in this manner, (without receiving prior approval
from the Filmfax editorial staff), and we print your review,
the video tape/disc becomes the property of Filmfax and
should be submitted with your review.
Contacting
any celebrity in the anticipation that Filmfax will publish your interview/
article.
We may not
be interested in the individual in question, or another writer may already
be covering the same material. Also, Filmfax prefers to
deal directly with the individual, when possible.
Gaining
access to any production set, television or movie, by using the Filmfax
name. Arrangements must be made through Filmfax.
Gaining
access or special consideration at any convention, media event, film screening,
etc. Writers must contact Filmfax prior to the event for approval.
Obtaining
any items offered by our advertisers free of charge. This includes video
tapes, books, T-shirts, magazines, collectibles, model kits, etc.
Finally,
no writer, including those listed on the masthead as contributing editors
or special consultants, may indicate in any way that he or she represents
Filmfax Magazine without receiving specific individual approval
from a member of the Filmfax editorial staff.
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