Cecil Hepworth 's 1900, How It Feels to Be Run Over, is the epitome of the first movement in film history, known as the ‘Cinema of Attractions’. The forty-second long silent film is one of many early films that emerged during the first decade following cinema 's birth, which came after the Industrial Revolution during the 18th and 19th centuries. This particular film, which depicts exactly what it 's title insinuates, is a single shot pointing down a paved road in which a coach drives past, promptly followed by a motor car which sways uncontrollably before heading directly towards the camera. At the moment of impact, the screen becomes black, immediately flashing the words "Oh! Mother will be pleased". It 's simplicity and deceptive futility
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This Industrial Revolution during the century before cinema, saw the switch from mass production by hand labour to machines and modern methods of production. The technological innovations that corresponded with this period included the train, photography, phonograph, and the motor car (featured in Hepworth’s film), and inspired inventors and entrepreneurs to build a machine that could capture movement. After a series of innovative and necessary technological advancements, such as the ability to print photographs on flexible materials and the invention of a machine with the capacity to project these images rapidly, the world would eventually be introduced to the Cinématographe, the camera which would shoot and project the the first publicly screened film, Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory, at Salon Indien du Grand Café on December 28th, 1895. The Lumière Brothers responsible for this historical moment, saw great success in the early years of cinema, and were amongst many emerging filmmakers who contributed to this 'Cinema of Attractions ', including British man, Cecil Hepworth. How It Feels to Be Run Over is amongst his earlier works in a time of experimenting with the still very new novelty of moving images. As film scholar, Tom Gunning, explains, these early …show more content…
How It Feels to Be Run Over is a perfect example of this movement and contains the stylistic and thematic elements that are consistent in the films made during this historical period. Although many of these elements were conditional to the film technologies of the time, such as being short in length, lacking sound, using black and white film, and minimalistic editing and cinematographic freedom, they all shared a common goal of impressing the audience with the illusion of motion. This excitement is enhanced through Hepworth’s use of confrontation and humour, and was achieved through careful manipulation and experimentation of the film form. It’s a display of the ingenuity of these early filmmakers who would unknowingly establish the foundations of the powerful platform that is cinema. Their influence on filmmaking is undeniable and despite the improvements in film technology changing the way films are made today, the principle of cinema of attractions remain — to show something. Many films continue to exploit the idea of a visual spectacle and the desire to show something new or unusual. Elaborate fantastical worlds created through visual effects, unexplored sights now accessible through camera technology, and even action-driven content and plots, all motivate audiences to flock to the cinemas for the thrill
This Industrial Revolution during the century before cinema, saw the switch from mass production by hand labour to machines and modern methods of production. The technological innovations that corresponded with this period included the train, photography, phonograph, and the motor car (featured in Hepworth’s film), and inspired inventors and entrepreneurs to build a machine that could capture movement. After a series of innovative and necessary technological advancements, such as the ability to print photographs on flexible materials and the invention of a machine with the capacity to project these images rapidly, the world would eventually be introduced to the Cinématographe, the camera which would shoot and project the the first publicly screened film, Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory, at Salon Indien du Grand Café on December 28th, 1895. The Lumière Brothers responsible for this historical moment, saw great success in the early years of cinema, and were amongst many emerging filmmakers who contributed to this 'Cinema of Attractions ', including British man, Cecil Hepworth. How It Feels to Be Run Over is amongst his earlier works in a time of experimenting with the still very new novelty of moving images. As film scholar, Tom Gunning, explains, these early …show more content…
How It Feels to Be Run Over is a perfect example of this movement and contains the stylistic and thematic elements that are consistent in the films made during this historical period. Although many of these elements were conditional to the film technologies of the time, such as being short in length, lacking sound, using black and white film, and minimalistic editing and cinematographic freedom, they all shared a common goal of impressing the audience with the illusion of motion. This excitement is enhanced through Hepworth’s use of confrontation and humour, and was achieved through careful manipulation and experimentation of the film form. It’s a display of the ingenuity of these early filmmakers who would unknowingly establish the foundations of the powerful platform that is cinema. Their influence on filmmaking is undeniable and despite the improvements in film technology changing the way films are made today, the principle of cinema of attractions remain — to show something. Many films continue to exploit the idea of a visual spectacle and the desire to show something new or unusual. Elaborate fantastical worlds created through visual effects, unexplored sights now accessible through camera technology, and even action-driven content and plots, all motivate audiences to flock to the cinemas for the thrill