1. Mass Media Film History: 1800s-1927

2. What is Film? Film has two entities A long strip of celluloid with small pictures on it which is projected with the aid of lights and lens. A long strip of celluloid with small pictures on it which is projected with the aid of lights and lens. A kind of communication between the filmmaker and the audience. A kind of communication between the filmmaker and the audience.

3. 1800s Photo Technology 1800s cameras used heavy metal and glass plates for capturing images 1800s cameras used heavy metal and glass plates for capturing images Problem: How to develop flexible film? Problem: How to develop flexible film?

4. Birth of Celluloid 1889: Goodwin produces celluloid, which is a flexible film that can be passed through a camera, taking many pictures in rapid succession 1889: Goodwin produces celluloid, which is a flexible film that can be passed through a camera, taking many pictures in rapid succession

5. The Kinetoscope One viewer looked into a machine to watch a short film, which was stored on a film strip. One viewer looked into a machine to watch a short film, which was stored on a film strip.

6. Film for Larger Audiences The Lumiere Brothers The Lumiere Brothers Developed a system where films could be shown to a crowd on a projection screen Developed a system where films could be shown to a crowd on a projection screen Their name is honored by the character “Lumiere” in “Beauty and the Beast” Their name is honored by the character “Lumiere” in “Beauty and the Beast”

7. Vitascope A large-screen system that improved on the kinetoscope by allowing large audiences to see projected films A large-screen system that improved on the kinetoscope by allowing large audiences to see projected films

8. Early Cinematography Films under a minute long and usually presented a single scene, authentic or staged, of everyday life, a public event, a sporting event or slapstick. Films under a minute long and usually presented a single scene, authentic or staged, of everyday life, a public event, a sporting event or slapstick. No cinematic technique: no editing and usually no camera movement, and flat, staged compositions. No cinematic technique: no editing and usually no camera movement, and flat, staged compositions.

9. Silent Era: Narrative Films Narrative films - films that tell stories - brought more audiences, as creative stories tapped into audience imagination Narrative films - films that tell stories - brought more audiences, as creative stories tapped into audience imagination

10. Georges Melies: Pioneer Paris stage magician Georges Méliès did films of fantasy and the bizarre, including A Trip to the Moon (1902). Paris stage magician Georges Méliès did films of fantasy and the bizarre, including A Trip to the Moon (1902). Pioneered editing, special effects, and storytelling Pioneered editing, special effects, and storytelling

11. Editing Evolves Early films had little camera movement, shot full scenes with one camera from one angle Early films had little camera movement, shot full scenes with one camera from one angle Porter discovered that single shots were more powerful than uncut scenes Porter discovered that single shots were more powerful than uncut scenes

12. The Great Train Robbery (1903) Had a story, action, and editing Had a story, action, and editing First “western” (filmed in New Jersey) First “western” (filmed in New Jersey) Alternates scenes of fleeing bandits with pursuing lawmen Alternates scenes of fleeing bandits with pursuing lawmen Famous shot of a bandit shooting his gun straight at the camera. Famous shot of a bandit shooting his gun straight at the camera. Audiences at the time, for whom moving pictures were still very new and unfathomable, would usually scream in fear, then laugh in relief Audiences at the time, for whom moving pictures were still very new and unfathomable, would usually scream in fear, then laugh in relief

13. Nickelodeons Small stores converted to movie theaters w/ a simple sheet on the wall as a screen Small stores converted to movie theaters w/ a simple sheet on the wall as a screen Showed short, silent narrative films Showed short, silent narrative films Stories appealed to all audiences; inexpensive escape from a hard life Stories appealed to all audiences; inexpensive escape from a hard life Largely working class audiences, immigrants Largely working class audiences, immigrants Piano player added music, live sound effects added as well Piano player added music, live sound effects added as well

14. Silent Era 1895-1927 Leading the trend for longer movies in America was director D.W. Griffith with his historical epic The Birth of a Nation (1915 - 190 minutes) Leading the trend for longer movies in America was director D.W. Griffith with his historical epic The Birth of a Nation (1915 - 190 minutes) Extremely racist, led to re-birth of the KKK Extremely racist, led to re-birth of the KKK

15. Birth of a Nation (1915) Took in more than $10 million at the box office (equivalent to $300 million in 2006) Took in more than $10 million at the box office (equivalent to $300 million in 2006) Pioneered techniques as deep focus, jump- cut, and facial close- ups, now integral to conventional cinematic style. Pioneered techniques as deep focus, jump- cut, and facial close- ups, now integral to conventional cinematic style.

16. Silent Era 1895-1927 1920s, U.S. produced an average of 800 feature films annually, or 82% of the global total 1920s, U.S. produced an average of 800 feature films annually, or 82% of the global total The comedies of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, and the Swashbuckling adventures of Douglas Fairbanks and the romances of Clara Bow, made these performers’ faces iconic on every continent. The comedies of Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton, and the Swashbuckling adventures of Douglas Fairbanks and the romances of Clara Bow, made these performers’ faces iconic on every continent.

17. “It’s a Wrap” 1927 saw the first “talkies” - films featuring sound - which quickly spelled the end of the Silent Era and the end of careers for many silent film stars 1927 saw the first “talkies” - films featuring sound - which quickly spelled the end of the Silent Era and the end of careers for many silent film stars Next: History of Film, Part II Next: History of Film, Part II