American Film : The Evolution Of American Film

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1. Motion Picture Experimentation

Eadweard Muybridge-England

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○ First to film/capture motion pictures “Occident Trotting” (1872)
○ @horse race-set up cameras to shutter when horses passes

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Thomas Edison

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○ Phonograph > recorded and played back sound
>idea-combine picture with sound
○ Kinetoscope> single person motion picture projector “movie camera”(1888)

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Lumierre Brothers-France

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○ Kinetoscope (T.E.)- Cinematographe> not only take pictures but print, project, and portable
○ 1st to show a motion picture on larger screen

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2.Story Telling Motion Pictures

George Melies “father of narrative film”

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>producer writer, designer, cameraman, actor = components to create the story/narrative
○ fantastic and imaginative films
○ movies could no longer be 50 min.

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Edwin S. Porter

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○ Basic principles of editing and joining together different bits of pieces filmed in different places and camera placement
> make movies more amusing by increasing/manipulate tension/emotion, better visual perspectives = better narrative through visual effects
○ Established standard single reel (8 -12 min)
○ The Great Train Robbery (1903)
>used new principles of film>success> demand from public= supply by business

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D.W. Griffith (Story telling= art) (1907)

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>Established basic film techniques and structures for films (used now) that developed film into an art medium
>techniques made film more interesting and appealing,
i. Camera Position
>Distance between actor and audience
ii. Framing and Shots’ Tempo
> rapid cutting = exciting , longer shots = calm
iii. Composition and Lighting
>gradients, fades, iris, opaque
> Birth of A Nation

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Mack Sennett (Film Comedy; 1909)

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○ imaginative and comic perspective > Keystone Kops
> comic policemen in oversized clothes
>power and development of film drama
○ Re-organized film industry> Star System
>recognized talent and creates system of production
> S.S 1910- people recognized their favorites and wanted to know more--begining of credits/names on marquees--movie producers created/developed stars
>star=$ b/c they attracted big audiences
> performers role changed>had control over their production, advertising and publicity

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Hollywood

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> Motion Picture Patents Company tried to strictly control all patents to squeeze all profit from production, distribution, and exhibition of film > independent film makers> moved to California
○ Standard for film making: diverse scenery and weather
○ WW1= economic boom > European competition down & cost/profit increased in U.S. (& CA low taxes)
>60 percent of films were made there
>catered to mass media> all categories of films could be produced in Hollywood
>economic advantage >25c cheap= more audience

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3. Economic Expansion of the Motion Picture Business

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Popularity of motion picture- 1920s during radical change = effecient and cost effective means of production and distribution on weekly basis

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Thomas Ince

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Divided administrative and artistic functions for efficiency
Ex. creative produce and accountants
>various sectors to join film industry = more jobs

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Adolph Zukor

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Advance vertical monopoly of film busines
○ company would have compete control of its production (inception to final destination)
○ Block booking> theater owners had to buy Paramounts films in blocks to be guaranteed play dates - up to a years supply
○ Blind Booking> theaters bought films that were to be made in the future

>emphasis on motion picture distribution meant movies were constantly made to provide for the theaters (weekly theater programs had to be meet)

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4. Sound Motion Pictures

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Silent pictures popular by 1929
○ AT&T developed sound on disc, reproduction monitor, and loudspeaker > meant movie could have sound alongside it
○ Warner Brothers gambled on new technology eventually acquired Vitaphone system> Don Juan: 1st movie with synchronized sound successful
○ established universal film standard
○ Downfall of new film success: Great Depression
>to keep running theaters reduced prices, double feature, had games and prizes
> “B Movies” : low budget movie- maintained full production and served as training ground for new actors