03_Birth_of_national_film_industries_from_the_beginning_of_the_20th_century_to_WWI

Birth of National Film Industries

  • Context: Exploration of film industry evolution from the early 20th century until WWI.

  • Derived By: Professor Simone Moraldi

Introduction

  • Global Growth of Cinema: Post-1905 era witnessed cinema's expansion in production and distribution.

    • Developed formats and projection venues.

    • Enhanced global distribution mechanisms.

    • Increased movie lengths and development of cinematic language.

Nickelodeons (1905-1910)

Emergence of Nickelodeons

  • Timeframe: 1905-1907 marked a significant rise in cinema theaters.

  • Features: Often set in converted warehouses, seating 200.

  • Cost: Entry fees were typically 1 nickel or dime; shows varied from 15 to 60 minutes.

Economic Impact

  • Advantages of Nickelodeons:

    • Non-seasonal operation.

    • More affordable than traditional cinemas.

    • Varied scheduling.

    • Low operational costs.

  • Programming included spoken support, musical accompaniment, or live narration.

Business Transition

  • By 1908, nickelodeons could rent about 450 movies a year.

  • Key Figures: Many future significant players in cinema began in management roles at nickelodeons:

    • Carl Laemmle (Universal)

    • Louis B. Mayer (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)

    • Adolph Zukor (Paramount)

    • William Fox (20th Century Fox)

    • Marcus Loew (MGM)

Birth of Feature Films (1910s)

Evolution of Feature Films

  • Definition: In the 1910s, feature films referred to extended narratives, often of epic or historical significance.

  • Distribution: European cinemas had flexible distribution for multi-roll films, leading to increased ticket prices.

Marketing and Actor Recognition

  • Early days did not credit actors; company names were featured instead.

  • Audiences began to develop attachment to actors as film narratives grew more complex.

  • Full credits only began appearing post-1914.

The Star System (1908-1914)

  • Promotion via Star Power: Filmmakers utilized popular actors for marketability, highlighting names such as Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford.

  • Cultural Impact: Iconic silent film actors entered public consciousness.

Global Cinema Industries

France (Pathé and Gaumont)

  • Pathé:

    • Existence in 1905 with 3 studios, engaging in vertical integration.

    • A significant player in film production and distribution, including renting films by 1907.

    • Specializes in various genres during its growth.

  • Gaumont:

    • Initially coordinated by Alice Guy, hired many directors to expand link to film narratives.

    • Faced competition and market shifts due to the onset of WWI.

Italy's Film Scene

  • Significant firms: Cines, Ambrosio, Itala based in Turin, began producing French remakes.

  • Focused on historical films post-1908, achieved high exports by 1910.

  • Notable figures: Giovanni Pastrone and successful titles include "Cabiria" (1914).

Scandinavian Cinema

Denmark

  • Nordisk Film: Founded by Ole Olsen in 1906, notable for melodramatic and detective stories.

  • Notable Films: "The Lion Hunt" (1907) and others gained international recognition despite local controversy.

Sweden

  • Early establishments like Svenska Biografteatern helped shape film narratives.

  • Directors like Mauritz Stiller and Victor Sjostrom forged early cinematic language, later influencing Hollywood.

Russian Cinema

  • French presence (Gaumont, Pathé) introduced competition but did not stifle growth.

  • Adapting classic literature into film became a trend, with directors like Evgenij Bauer leading the way.

Rising Challenges in American Cinema (1907-1912)

Patents and Market Control

  • Edison Company imposed production taxes, leading to significant conflict.

  • Formation of MPPC aimed at controlling film production but faced resistance from emerging independents.

Hollywood Emergence

  • In response to monopolistic practices, studios emerged in warmer areas like California, marking the rise of Hollywood.

Establishment of the Film Language (1904-1917)

Filmmaking Techniques

  • Advancements in language and psychological character development in films.

  • Techniques in editing, spatial narrative, and visual storytelling became essential.

Key Innovations

  • Editing Styles: Griffith popularized alternating and continuity editing which evolved narrative coherence.

  • Cinematic Insights: Camera techniques began emphasizing character emotions via framing and angle adjustments.

  • Color and Lighting: Innovations in color application during post-film production, enriching narrative depth.

Glossary and Filmography

Key Terms

  • Defined critical terms such as Nickelodeon, Feature Film, and Oligopoly in the industry context.

Notable Films

  • Included significant titles from influential directors, such as "The Lonely Villa" and "Intolerance", showcasing the evolution of cinematic storytelling.