Notes Media Systems Processes. 1.25.2011 - COURSE Media...

COURSE: Media Systems and Processes – Teaching Assistant Notes
TA: Jessica Crowell, ( [email protected] ). Office Hrs: Wednesdays 12:00 – 2:00pm, SC&I Annex
#305
1.25.2010 Lecture: History of Film
 Overview
o Film was first broadcast medium
o Mass-appeal
o 5 essential steps in creating a motion picture:
1. “Persistence of vision”
• The illusion of motion
• E.g.: A paper flip-book in a Cracker Jack box is not really
moving, but creates an illusion of motion
2. Photography
3. Motion picture camera
• Edward Muybridge and Leland Stanford created the “horse
experiment”
o To perform “horse-experiment” set-up cameras on a
straightaway, had a jockey ride a horse and trip 25
wires to take series of 25 photographs
o Because only 25 photos were contained in series,
did not create complete illusion of motion
4. Film
• Hannibal Goodwin (note: George Eastman founder of
Kodak)
o Goodwin invented “celluloid film” which has holes
on side that could be set into sprockets of camera to
turn the wheel in a camera
5. Projector
• Thomas Edison
o Alleged to have invented the projector but some
question this claim
o Edison forged a connection between world of
invention and marketing (Edison served as inventor
of new technologies, but also widely marketed his
ideas)
o Edison sent out bulletins and other advertisements
to spread his ideas (E.g.: “Come see the first
projector…!)
 Changes in the New Medium
o The New Audience
 Influx of new immigrants into the U.S. in early 1900’s
dramatically changed the potential audience for films
 Going to see film was a way for ordinary people to escape
everyday lives
 Movies were cheap and accessible
o The Great Train Robbery , Film of 1903
* Teaching Assistant notes are an overview of the lecture presented. Please
consult in addition to required course readings.