EARLY FILM

1. EARLY FILM

2. The Zoetrope 1834 Consists of a cylinder with slits cut vertically in the sides The scanning of the slits keeps the pictures from simply blurring together so that the user sees a rapid succession of images producing the illusion of motion

3. 1877-1888: First true experiments with motion photography begin. Several cameras set up to photograph moving subjects. Simply a series of still photographs printed in succession to each other.

4. Eadweard Muybridge 1830-1904 English-born photographer, that was known mainly for his use of multiple cameras that would “capture” motion. Created a device for motion pictures. He invented the “zoopraxiscope” which was able to project images so the public could see realistic motion.

5. 1894 • THE year motion pictures BEGIN

6. Thomas Edison's Kinetoscope Made the kinetoscope and kinetograph; which enabled public to watch a short simple film, for a reasonable price. His company means were to print film as well as invent motion picture cameras and projectors. It became highly used in the early 1900’s after they were created. The camera was stationary and had to be hand cranked. The camera and projector were in the same machine. Last, the camera simply recorded and documented various day to day activities.

7. Auguste and Louis Lumière The Lumières held their first private screening of projected motion pictures on March 22, 1895 Their first film was Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory)

8. Early Uses The early film experiments mostly documented day to day activities. Films of era mostly “moving postcards” They were extremely popular with wealthy patrons, as the presenters could charge what they wanted since only a few such machines existed.

9. Early Films 1894-1896 • “Fred Ott’s Sneeze” • “The Kiss” • “Serpentine Dance” • “Sandow The Strong Man” • “Seminary Girls” • “The Barber Shop” • “Feeding The Doves” • ALL EARLY FILMS ARE DOCUMENTARIES

10. 3 Main Gauges (Sizes) 35 mm is used mainly in photography and motion picture, and remains unchanged since it’s introduction in 1892 16 mm is used in some television such as HD and also for educational purposes, and in the UK for dramas and commercials Super 8 mm is most popular in home movies, and has better quality than standard.

11. Common Speeds 16 Frames per second = Silent film speed 24 Frames per second = Sound speed. The standard rate in modern filming

12. A Trip to the Moon (1902) Directed by George Melies

14. Filmed primarily in long shots, for all intents and purposes, this film will serve as the first fictitious film ever made. • Film contains many narrative (story-telling innovations) including: • First use of special effects • First use of dissolves • First use of multiple exposures • First dissolve to close-up

15. Filmed primarily in long shots, for all intents and purposes, this film will serve as the first fictitious film ever made. • Film contains many narrative (story-telling innovations) including: • First use of special effects • First use of dissolves • First use of multiple exposures • First dissolve to close-up

16. Melies, a stage director, actor and magician made the movie primarily as a stage play, filming the stationary camera in one set-up • Melies discovered that if he cut the film into strips and overlay these strips on top of one another and attached them with contact cement, he could create a variety of effects- mainly the lap dissolve- a simple way of transitioning from shot to shot (from setting to setting)

17. The Great Train Robbery 1903 Produced by the Edison Company Directed by Edwin S Porter

18. Filmed in New Jersey • Porter not trained in theater, he was an engineer. Therefore, he was free to innovate • As in other early films, ROBBERY features strong kinetic (of or pertaining to motion) action-in other words, movement for the sake of movement

19. Historically significant because Gunfighters and the myth of the old west still relatively fresh in audience’s minds • Only 18 years after Jesse James (famous American Outlaw) was killed • Only 20 years after the real Gunfight at the OK Corral

20. Film possibly viewed by Frank James, Cole Younger and the many other famous gunfighters and outlaws of the time • Makes visual references to the James Gang-especially in the climatic shoot out-mirrors the demise of James/Younger gang in 1876 Northfield Minnesota • When viewing the film, many audiences fainted or hid under their seats during the film’s innovative final frame

21. Contains many significant innovations in narrative film structure: • First film to use rear projection (gives impression of outside movement such as passing trains and scenery moving by a train in motion) • First film to use multiple settings • First use of a traveling shot (camera mounted on a moving train) • First use of continuity editing-strips of film cut to suggest matching of action • First cut to a close shot

22. DW Griffith (1875-1948)

23. DW Griffith- continued • American Director who literally created modern film narrative language. • Cut, set-up, iris wipes, etc.

24. Bangeville Police (1913) • Film displays the influence of DW Griffith (remember he had NO part in making this movie- it just shows the use of a few of the techniques he was inventing) • Film made in 1913 • Made by the Keystone film company

25. The Keystone Cops • The bumbling policemen became stock characters and popular on their own- eventually called The Keystone Cops • The Keystone Cops are known for their comic, bumbling chase scenes • Film employs simple continuity editing and a varied series of shots within both sequences and scenes.