Early 20th Century Film and World War I

First 20 Years: Focus on the evolution of film, starting with the early years of the 20th century and the impact of World War I on the humanities.

Silent Films: Initial films lacked sound, creating a unique experience for audiences. Actors often spoke in different languages, making it equitable as audiences couldn't hear them.
Film Length: Early films like George Melies' Journey to the Moon lasted around 12 minutes, creating a perception of insufficient value.
Movie Theaters: They aimed to enhance the viewing experience with multiple forms of entertainment:
- Cartoons (1906): Short cartoons were shown before features to engage audiences, especially children.
- Movie Serials: Films made in episodes, encouraging repeat attendance, e.g., The Perils of Pauline.
- News and Trailers: Additional content kept audiences engaged during their time at theaters. Live bands were hired to play during screenings to provide some sound, contributing to the atmosphere.

Major Studios: Key players included Warner Brothers (1923), Paramount (1927), and Universal (1912), with a system of studio contracts binding actors to specific films.
Repetitive Casting: Actors often worked under contracts and found themselves in various roles within the same studio, leading to recognized pairings in film (like Franco and Rogen).

Colorization Techniques: Early methods involved hand-painting films, resulting in non-standardized and inequitable viewing experiences. Examples of attempts at colorization included Cupid Angling (1918).
Camera Movement: Innovations included moving cameras for dynamic shots, as seen in The Great Train Robbery, where film techniques were expanding.

Causes of the War: Growing tensions between empires, economic motivations, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand.
Participants: The war involved alliances (Central Powers vs. Allies), mobilizing vast empires and their colonies.
Trench Warfare: Characterized by stagnation and heavy casualties, with advancements in weaponry and tactics contributing to the brutality.

David Lloyd George: British Prime Minister during the war.
Wilhelm II: Kaiser of Germany, viewed as an aggressive military leader.
Vladimir Lenin: Led the Russian Revolution, establishing a communist government in response to dissatisfaction with the war, which caused Russia to exit.

Artistic Response: Post-war literature and arts reflected disillusionment and anger.
- Notable works include Wilfred Owen's poem, Dulce et Decorum Est, criticizing the glorification of war.
Cultural Shift: The aftermath led to significant changes in cultural expression, marked by devastating loss and a call for peace.

Spread: Coincided with World War I, arising in the U.S. but named for Spain, which was first to report on it due to neutrality. Caused approximately 5% mortality.

Impact of the War: The war's horrors shaped a post-war generation eager for change and a new cultural identity during the 1920s, setting the stage for future developments in the humanities and art forms.
Next Unit Focus: Transition to the cultural transformations of the 1920s and 1930s as a reaction to World War I and its aftermath.