where the movies came from….. magic lanterns entertainment before film…. vaudeville: live stage...
TRANSCRIPT
The History of CinemaWhere the movies came from….
Magic Lanterns
Entertainment before Film….Vaudeville: live stage performance with
different acts put together, such as comedy, singers, acrobat, dancers, magicians, etc.
Carnivals/Amusement ParksPeepshows: pornographic images shown in a
coin-operated book (evolved into films)Magic Lanterns: slide projector that would
show different stories or create backgrounds for performances (vaudeville, theatre)
Entertainment before Film….Parks/Beaches/BoatsTheatre (plays)ConcertsBooksStreetcar (trip to downtown)SportsRadio: serials (short radio plays that were a
weekly show, usually very dramatic; evolved into films)
Family Events: games, make believe, etc.
Photographic RootsThe work of photographer Eadweard
Muybridge
Creating Motion
Inventors of CinemaMuch debate about who actually
invented itDifferent countries and
scientists/artists were all working on film
The following people are some of the leaders in the development of film’s technical growth
Thomas EdisonAmerican, 1847-1931Invented the phonograph
(record player)In 1891 he invented the
kinectoscope: which used 35mm film and projected it forone person to watch
Very racy/provocative images
Max SkladanowskyGerman1863-1939Invented the bioskop:
a device used to project film; done with two projectors to make up the needed speed
Credited with showing the first films to a paying audience
Auguste and Louis LumièreFrenchAuguste (1862-1954)
& Louis (1864-1948)Invented the
cinematographe: a device that worked as a movie camera, film developer and film projector
Scenes of everyday people
Lumière’s Cinematographe
This technology is what took off, being reproduced around the world and made the Lumière brothers leaders in the development of film.
Enter Cinematic ArtWith the technology in place, filmmakers
became more artistic and the movie became extremely popular.
Many films were thought to be very controversial, showing intimate (personal) situations, violence, drama and stories.
Important early filmmakers include: George Méliès, Edwin S. Porter, and D. W. Griffith
Georges MélièsGroundbreaking film
director Often referred to as the
“Cinemagician”Science-fiction/fantasyDiscovered many
special effects• A Trip to the Moon (1902) was the first film to explore these ideas. Impacted film for its:• Special effects/technical developments• Imagination’s role in filmmaking• Film as escapism (a way to escape the everyday of
our lives)
Edwin S. PorterAmerican, 1869-1941Worked at Thomas Edison’s studiosThe Great Train Robbery (1903) – one of the
most important and influential films because of:How it was shot out of order and then edited
laterEstablished many clichés that would be used in
westerns in following yearsWas a huge hit, proving that money could be
made from films as an industryHow dramatic and suspenseful it was
Edwin S. PorterThe Great Train Robbery, 1903
D. W. GriffithAmerican, 1875-1948Known as the “father of film” and the “master
storyteller of film”Famous for his epic films: stories with a
grand narrative (big story; usually historical subject matter), lavish (fancy) sets and costumes, many extras (people who are in the movie without being actual characters)
D. W. GriffithBirth of a Nation (1915)
Story about the American Civil WarExtremely controversial then and now for its depiction of
history and racial issuesWas protested by theatres and audiences Sparked many riots, even a lynchingConsidered one of the first, major feature films (films that
are longer than one hour)Intolerance (1916)
Response to Birth of a NationCost to make it was huge for that timeFocuses on the effects of hate and intolerance of the
world and its people