exam 1

who invented motion pictures?

no one, multiple people contributed

what were the popular early genres (pre-1900)

scenics and topicals

how did the lumiere brothers contribute to the development of world cinema?

sending representatives out to the world and creating the cinematographe

What were some of Georges Méliès’ special effects?

dissolves, exploding head, a trip to the moon

what were preconditions for the invention of cinema?

means to capture, record and project, understanding the eye

what were the primarily film producing countries during the first decade of cinema?

France, Denmark

what was Edwin S. Porter’s *Life of an American Fireman* (1903) notable for?

clear narrative, first time we see action taking place in two places at once

were actors given screen credit in early films? explain. when did this change?

they were not, at first it was more just to document the technology they had. it was until close ups and stories that people became more interested in the actors.

why and when was the close up developed?

close up was developed to enhance actors facials and for dramatic effect

1911

what were some factors in the expansion of the French film industry?

targeting of more affluent audiences and increased leisure time

Which European production company specialized in crime thrillers and sensationalistic melodramas?

Nordisk films, Scandinavian, Denmark

What was the effect of WWI on filmmaking in France and Italy?

really bad, destruction of studios and film stock

Define Autorenfilm

All about the author

Who was Victor Sjöström?

primarily in silent era: The Phantom Carriage, Golden Age of Silent Film

professional director, screenwriter, and actor

sweden

Characteristics of French Impressionist Cinema?

Close ups, psychological, expressing emotion, capturing feelings

What was the effect of sound motion pictures on French Impressionist cinema?

it ended the french impressionist era

What were some effects of WWI and its aftermath on German film production companies?

It boosted it, they had similar Hollywood styles

Describe the principal characteristics of German Expressionism:

mise-en-scene, odd shapes, colors, lighting, camera tilting, exaggerated sets

what led to changes in German cinema after the Expressionist movement?

the rise, extremism, economic changes

After the Bolsheviks gained power in Russia in late 1917, what did they change in Russian cinema?

Cinema could be used for propaganda purposes also spreading the message they believed in Russia

What kinds of films were produced by the Soviet state in 1919?

mission and view of life

short newsreels and propaganda films

Describe the principal characteristics of the Constructionists’ view of art.

Constructivists considered art as a means for propaganda and were associated with socialism, the Bolsheviks, and the Russian Avant-Garde.

what were some editing features in Montage films? what did they seek to convey?

quick cuts

selecting the scenes to be shown and putting them together to create a film

conveys juxtaposition different shots

why did montage films ultimately come under attack?

it came under attack because of the editing and cinema work. there was continuity and overlapping editing. mise-en-scene also tended to be realistic

How and why did European film producers work together in the 1920s?

They wanted to incorporate a variety of genres into their films

Discuss characteristics of experimental films of the 1920s

* incorporating abstract animation
* dada- related production
* surrealism
* cinema pur
* lyrical documentaries
* experimental narrative