Film History part I: The beginning...

Modern History There have been TWO major innovations in the arts in recent history: There have been TWO major innovations in the arts in recent history: Photography Photography Motion picture Motion picture

Modern History Motion picture was born of curiosity, technological ingenuity and the desire to visually record life and study movement. Motion picture was born of curiosity, technological ingenuity and the desire to visually record life and study movement. Motion picture was only possible due to advancements in photography! Motion picture was only possible due to advancements in photography!

Innovator: Eadweard Muybridge A British photographer working in California A British photographer working in California Took the first photos capturing motion in 1877 and 1878 Took the first photos capturing motion in 1877 and 1878 He set off a row of cameras (12, later 24) He set off a row of cameras (12, later 24) Each camera had a string connected to the shutter Each camera had a string connected to the shutter He set up the cameras and had a horse run by; as the horse ran by, it pulled the strings and took the pictures! He set up the cameras and had a horse run by; as the horse ran by, it pulled the strings and took the pictures! So, he had a succession of photos showing the horses running So, he had a succession of photos showing the horses running

Check these out! ybridge ybridge ybridge ybridge

So... The first motion pictures were simply a series of pictures strung together! The first motion pictures were simply a series of pictures strung together! Muybridge influenced many inventors: Muybridge influenced many inventors: Including Thomas A. Edison and the Lumiere brothers. Including Thomas A. Edison and the Lumiere brothers.

Thomas A. Edison – 1890s 1 st films in the U.S. 1 st films in the U.S. He created a motion picture company and recorded circus acts and vaudeville performances. He created a motion picture company and recorded circus acts and vaudeville performances. Displayed the first commercial motion-picture machine in 1893 Displayed the first commercial motion-picture machine in 1893 Called the kinetoscope. Called the kinetoscope. One person at a time - peep show style One person at a time - peep show style Replaced by projections on a large screen Replaced by projections on a large screen For more than one! For more than one! First commercial projection in a theater took place at the Koster and Bials Music hall, New York, April First commercial projection in a theater took place at the Koster and Bials Music hall, New York, April 1896.

Kinetoscope

Check THESE out! mov mov mov mov mov mov mov mov A great site: mvhm.html mvhm.html mvhm.html mvhm.html

Louis and Auguste Lumiere Used the kinetoscope idea from Edison Used the kinetoscope idea from Edison Used a lighter-weight camera and took it out into the everyday world. Used a lighter-weight camera and took it out into the everyday world. For example, an early film showed a baby being fed its cereal. For example, an early film showed a baby being fed its cereal. The first paid public performances took place in the basement of a café in Paris in December The first paid public performances took place in the basement of a café in Paris in December 1895.

Le cinematographe

The orlds first movie poster! 1895

Check these out! lumiere.org/francais/films/1seance/1seanc e01.html lumiere.org/francais/films/1seance/1seanc e01.html lumiere.org/francais/films/1seance/1seanc e01.html lumiere.org/francais/films/1seance/1seanc e01.html lumiere.org/francais/films/1seance/1seanc e06.html lumiere.org/francais/films/1seance/1seanc e06.html lumiere.org/francais/films/1seance/1seanc e06.html lumiere.org/francais/films/1seance/1seanc e06.html

While creating films: Film makers learned that some subjects were more interesting than others. Film makers learned that some subjects were more interesting than others. For now, however, subjects were still bland. For now, however, subjects were still bland. The art was still limited: The art was still limited: Usually shot straight on, far enough back to get everything in frame, AND the film only allowed for a half minute at most. Usually shot straight on, far enough back to get everything in frame, AND the film only allowed for a half minute at most. AND films were silent, black and white and two dimensional. AND films were silent, black and white and two dimensional.

Two schools of thought Formative: Formative: Artistic Artistic Posed/arranged and manipulated Posed/arranged and manipulated Theatrical in nature Theatrical in nature Meant to record a performance Meant to record a performance Realistic: Realistic: Capture unadulterated events Documentary style What could enhance this art? THE STORY!!!

It is difficult to say who added story to film... One important figure sticks out: One important figure sticks out: George Melies George Melies Had a background in the arts Had a background in the arts Worked in theater devoted to Magic Worked in theater devoted to Magic He worked with trick films He worked with trick films special effects were born! special effects were born! The Vanishing Lady and Haunted Castle The Vanishing Lady and Haunted Castle Also worked with narrative by increasing the length of films from under one minute to 10 or 15 minutes in length! Also worked with narrative by increasing the length of films from under one minute to 10 or 15 minutes in length!

anslalune anslalune anslalune anslalune

D.W. Griffith Important figure in American Film Important figure in American Film READ ABOUT HIM! READ ABOUT HIM! View: THE BIRTH OF A NATION View: THE BIRTH OF A NATION