1. A Brief History of Cinema
Nicci Thompson

2. Cinema “Cinema is the most beautiful fraud in the world.”
- Jean-Luc Godard

3. 1878 – Science Benefits

4. Leland Stanford & Eadweard Muybridge
Rail tycoon Leland Stanford hired British photographer Muybridge to use photographs to settle the debate as to whether a galloping horse ever has four of its feet on the ground.
Using 12 cameras controlled by trip-switches, Muybridge was able to capture (frame by frame) a galloping horse. When flipping them round in a carousel like fashion, it created a moving image.
A new and unique method was born, and for a few years to follow scientists began using the method for the study of animal and human body movement.

5. 1895 – Like a Runaway Train!

6. The Lumiere Brothers
Built a unique version of the “cinematographe” capable of creating moving image.
Showed multiple short experimental films to audience including “Train Pulling into the Station” which had the audience panic in the cinema.
Regarded as the real pioneers of cinema and film audience.
A lot of people called their cinema attractions a “fad” that wouldn’t last.

7. 1905 – Out of This World Narratives

8. Georges Melies
A French illusionist and filmmaker that made what’s said to be over 100 narrative films.
Made what’s regarded as the first “narrative” film, “A Trip to the Moon”.
Build his own studio where he designed various props and sets to make his films.
Inspired everyone to use the film medium as a way to “dream” and tell stories.

9. 1905 – 1936 From Silents to the Talkies

10. 1927 – The Jazz Singer
First film to introduce synched recorded music and also synched speech and singing.
Regarded as the commercial turning point for “sound” films and the catalyst for the decline of silent films.

11. 1930’s – The Hay’s Code
THE HAY'S CODE WAS CREATED IN THE THIRTIES AND FEATURED GUIDELINES TO GOVERN THE CONTENT OF MOTION PICTURES.
IT WOULD FEATURE CERTAIN "DO NOT'S" AND "BE CAREFUL'S”.
THESE WOULD EXCLUDE THE SHOWING OF NUDITY, EXTREME VIOLENCE, SEX, LANGUAGE AS WELL AS MORAL CODES E.G. AUDIENCES MUST BE SHOWN THAT CRIME DOESN'T PAY AND CRIMINALS WOULD BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE OR DEATH.
ONE OF THE MOST RIDICULOUS ONES WAS THAT YOU COULD SHOW A TOILET ON SCREEN, AS LONG AS YOU NEVER SAW/HEARD IT FLUSH.

12. Propaganda in Film
Goes back as early as with “Birth of a Nation”.
Lenni Reifenstahl’s film “Triumph des Willens” (Triumph of the Will) is said to be the most known piece of propaganda filmmaking. Shot during a four day rally in Nuremberg it glorified the Nazi party and Adolf Hitler, commissioned by the man himself.

13. Skipping Through the Decades
1939 – Use of “Technicolor” – “Wizard of Oz”
1944 – “Double Indemnity” – Introducing Film Noir post war
1950’s – 3D films became popular with films such as “It Came from Outer Space”. But 3D Film was around in 1915!
1953 – Cinemascope Lenses (WIDEscreen)

14. November 5th 1955 What huge cinematic event happened on this date?

16. 1960 - Hitchcock Changes Cinema

17. 1960 - Hitchcock Changes Cinema
‘Psycho” was the first film that had cinema’s began introducing HARD show times.
If you didn’t show up for the start of the movie you didn’t get in!
It’s because Hitchcock wanted the film to be an experience. Showing up halfway through – you wouldn’t get it.
Previously you could use your ticket to come and go as you pleased. The movie played on loop all day.
The Janet Leigh twist probably played a part as well.

18. Late 60’s & The 70’s Playing to the Youth

19. Independent Cinema
An independent film is a film that is made almost entirely out-with the movie studio system.
With technology progressing in regards to equipment etc, a lot more people found filmmaking much more accessible.
With relatively unknown artists working to their own visions, without boundaries, independent filmmakers or “Auteurs”, didn’t adhere to the Hayes Code, which saw a spike of interest in independent cinema in the mid 60’s.
Due to so many films being produced in short duration and the Hayes Code found it impossible to regulate so it was abolished and the new MPAA Rating System was introduced, PG, PG13, X, R etc.

20. The Studios Fight Back
In the 70’s studios began to find that they were losing a number of their younger audiences to independent film so came up with a plan themselves.
They hired a number of young up and coming directors to make films of a more, “Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll” nature that appeals younger audiences. These directors included the likes of Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Copolla, Steven Spielberg, Dennis Hopper and George Lucas.
This resulted in what is known as “The Golden Age” of cinema. However, these same directors were responsible for what is known as “The Blockbuster” era with the likes of “Star Wars” and “Jaws”.

21. The Blockbuster

22. Heaven’s Gate (1980)

23. The Rise and Fall of the Auteur
In 1979 “Heaven’s Gate” was set to be the next Hollywood masterpiece, directed by the rapidly aspiring Michael Cimino (The Deer Hunter).
The studio had faith, but after running months over budget and burning through all the money the project was nearly shut down on several occasions but the studio had to stand by their investment.
Eventually the film’s final cut was over 5 hours long and even after being but to 3.5 hours in length, it was still subject to openly negative reviews.
Having be made on a then record-breaking budget of $40m, the film drastically flopped and only made back 3.5m in box office.
Heaven’s Gate is referred to as the project that was the catalyst for artists losing control on a studio film productions.

24. The Auteur Theory
The word “Auteur” is basically a fancy word for a director/artist with a vision that shines through in their work regardless of studio/exec involvement.
We often see a director’s style become a genre of it’s own, because of their recognizable techniques in storytelling, scenes or whole movies become Hitchcock-Esque, or Tarantino-Esque or Scorsese- Esque. Ironically they have all managed to do this whilst adhering to a studio system.

25. Slightly Off Topic….
No matter what the director’s vision is, no matter how successful or well- known, they will adhere to a studios vision.
The artist being hand-cuffed comes to mind, but it is a collaborative relationship. The director wants to create a story and the studio aims to make money. Of course this often leads to disagreements, but it’s the way it has to be.
Although, the studios do still offer opportunities to relatively unknown aspiring filmmakers to take the mantel on larger productions. A lot of these filmmakers are found through their indie wok showcased at festivals such as Sundance etc – Rian Johnson, Bryan Singer, Tarantino, Shane Black and more.
Of late, only Chris Nolan has the most “freedom” as an Auteur filmmaker where he can pretty much do what he wants…. To an extent.

26. Technology Advances, as does Budgets – 1990’s +

27. Toys – Embracing the Playset

28. Owning the Market
Now in an era where comic book movies are saturating the market.
A genre that’s ever popular with both youth and adults meaning their demographic is broad in terms of target audience.
The studios that make these films also hold ownership over distribution and merchandise which brings more money back.
Although these films are more expensive to make than ever due to the rapidly developing technology – The size and scale of these productions still draw in a crowd. £$£$£$£$£
Other examples - Disney buying Star Wars and Harry Potter. Theme parks, spin offs, toys and t-shirts.

29. Cinema Attendance and Viewing
UK Cinema Box Office Admissions ,635,000,000 Admissions Million Why?

30. More Ways to Watch