History Mid

Early Film Innovators

  • Louis Le Prince:

    • Credited with the oldest surviving film, predating other film pioneers.

    • His work remained largely unrecognized in mainstream cinema.

  • Thomas Edison:

    • Influenced by Eadweard Muybridge and hires William Dixon to develop inventions related to film.

    • Created the Kinescope and Kenograph:

      • Kinescope involved a private viewing experience, leading to a stigma due to the nature of some early subjects filmed.

  • Lumière Brothers:

    • Developed a superior film projection system that enabled public viewing on screens, promoting a shared cinematic experience.

    • Their innovations led to the success of early filmmakers like Alice Guy and Georges Méliès.

Early Film Techniques and Milestones

  • Alice Guy:

    • Directed over a thousand short films, significant in early cinema history.

  • Georges Méliès:

    • Known for theatrical performance and cinematic tricks, such as stopping and starting the camera.

    • Famous for the film A Trip to the Moon, which features hand-painted color versions.

    • Suffered financially as his works were exploited by others, notably Edison.

Development of Film Language

  • Edwin S. Porter:

    • Worked under Edison; his contributions included camera movements and editing that established film language.

    • Directed The Great Train Robbery, which was critical for the success of Nickelodeons (movie theaters).

The Motion Picture Patent Company (MPPC)

  • Formed due to patent wars among early filmmakers.

  • MPPC's Practices:

    • Prioritized profit over quality, focusing on short one-reel films.

    • Stifled American filmmaking innovation compared to other countries.

  • First Feature Film:

    • The Story of the Kelly Gang from Australia, representing a longer film format.

Emergence of Hollywood

  • Shift Toward Hollywood:

    • Filmmakers sought freedom from MPPC's restrictions by moving to California, notably the suburb of Hollywood.

  • Key Figures:

    • Cecil B. DeMille: First to direct feature-length films in Hollywood.

    • D.W. Griffith: Controversial figure due to his films' subject matter but influential in film techniques.

      • Notable works: Birth of a Nation and Intolerance.

    • Max Sennett: Focused on comedy and talent like Charlie Chaplin.

Stars of Silent Film Era

  • Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks:

    • Power couple; Pickford was one of the first major female stars.

    • Fairbanks known for adventure films; their marriage catalyzed their careers.

  • Oscar Micheaux:

    • First black director, faced challenges due to racial barriers in the industry.

Global Influence and Movement

  • Post-World War I Developments:

    • Soviet Union started first film school; significant figures include Sergei Eisenstein who introduced montage theory.

  • German Expressionism:

    • Notable films include The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, Nosferatu, Metropolis.

    • Filmmakers like Fritz Lang and F.W. Murnau later migrated to the U.S. due to the rise of the Nazi party.

Key Developments in the 1920s

  • By 1920s, major studios in the U.S. emerged with iconic stars:

    • Lon Chaney (Man of a Thousand Faces), Buster Keaton, Harold Lloyd, Greta Garbo.

  • First Synchronized Sound Film:

    • The Jazz Singer, marking a significant evolution in film technology.

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