Film Studies: Early Film History

1. “First came the inventors, then the artists who sought to use the invention creatively. The problems posed by the discovery of the moving picture seem to suggest, even in the first crude efforts of film-makers, that a new art had been born. This is a rare phenomenon in history.” –John Howard Lawson from Film: the Creative Process Film Studies: Early Film History From 1889 to 1897

2. Thomas Edison did not invent the film camera in 1892 • William Heise and Laurie Dickson were asked by Edison to invent the kinetoscope (which is a camera that records very small images to be played back on Edison’s kinetograph alongside his phonograph). It is considered the first film camera.

3. Firsts • First experiments with film camera was in 1889 • First film studio was Edison’s and it was called the Black Maria (1892) • First film showings of the new technology (to investors and scientists) was in 1893 • First sound film was Edison’s in 1895 “Dickson Experimental Sound Film”

4. Early Eras in Film History • Novelty Era (1893 to 1897) when everyone was just excited about the new technology. Does this happen today? • Cinema of Attractions (1898 to 1907) when people started wanting to more. Filmmakers started stretching the technology to see what could be done. There wasn’t a focus on story at the time even though stories begun to take shape in films during this era. The focus was on attractions or senations/thrills and tricks. • The Transitional Era (1908 to 1917) an era in between eras. This era brought us into the classical era of silent film. The move to Hollywood took place in this era as well as plenty of censorship.

5. The Next Big Advent in Film • The next film camera that was better than Edison’s (boo hoo for him) was the Cinématographe (where we get our word for cinematography). The Lumière Brothers as they are called (Auguste and Louis) created it though there is debate about whether they stole the idea from someone else). Guess where they are from. • This camera was special because it had a film camera, printer, and projector all-in-one. Like Kodak does these days.

6. Kinds of Films in Early History • Actualités: non-fiction films of everyday life, a precursor to documentary film. Coined by Lumiere Brothers. • Trick films: films with optical/visual tricks (we’ll learn more about these later) • Filmed theater: not their official title but it works. Instead of creating original stories, early film relied on theater for its stories. • Historical films: many filmmakers wanted to try and portray history on film. • Story films: not a focus on story. Filmmakers of the day thought Americans did not have the focus to watch long films so they kept them short.

7. :Then and Now Early Film • Usually one or a few shots • Camera does not move • Minimal effects • Need lecturer and musical accompaniment • Reliance on tricks • Length of films is 10 minutes or less most of the time • No editing involved except sticking shots together (often only one shot) Today • Lots of shots every minute • Lots of camera movement • Can pretty much do anything and look pretty good • Sound is built in • Still a reliance on tricks but also superb storytelling • One and a half hours to 2 hours is normal • Tons of editing: usually continuity so you do not see it