Evolution and Impact of Motion Pictures
When you think about motion pictures, you see vivid images, bright colors, sound effects, famous actors, advanced plot lines and so much more. Everyone has a favorite movie, whether it's from your childhood or it just came out. They are such an important part of our society, telling both fictional and non-fiction stories about recent events. Not only do they bring in over 100 billion dollars in revenue, they help to bring people together and create incredibly strong fan bases. However, movies did not always look like this. While they have always been a method of visual storytelling, they did not start looking like what we picture until 1939. In 1939, the first full length, color movie was released. Motion pictures have a rich history, constantly undergoing massive changes.
The first representation of a motion picture comes from something known as a "zoetrope". A zoetrope allowed a series of pictures to be shown rapidly to give the appearance of movement. Following this, a bet placed between colleagues in California about whether or not a horse had all four hooves off the ground during its stride led to the formation of a "zoogryoscope" this allowed 12 images to be showcased in rapid succession. Then, a French physiologist developed a camera that could take 12 pictures per second of a moving object. This was caused "chronophotography". These two techniques led to the foundation of motion pictures.
Back in the United States, Thomas Edison and William Dickinson were making great progress developing a motion picture camera. In 1890, a prototype of a camera known as the "Kinetograph" was unveiled. In 1892 it was perfected and officially invented. Two years later, Edison took this camera which projected moving images onto a screen was used to allow public screenings of films. These public screenings took place at "Kinetograph parlors". The French were achieving very similar results. Two brothers, Auguste and Louis Lumière developed a "cinèmatographe" which showed 16 frames per second. Early films showcased a baby eating and a hose squirting water.
Following the work of these individuals, the Silent Film era began. From 1894 to 1929, hundreds of films consisting of moving images were introduced. This was also the first time movie stars were recognized. Charlie Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, and Harold Lloyd are just some examples. Again, silent films have to build a strong foundation for what movies are today. Following this, sound was introduced into films. Edison first used a phonograph to play music alongside these moving pictures. Then was the development of the "vitaphone". Warner Brothers began to use this technology first. The first film with sound was Don Juan in 1926, followed by the Jazz Singer in 1927. Color films were introduced in 1908 with a British short film. The Kinemacolor process was revolutionary in allowing for the development of color films. Color added another dimension, sophistication, and a higher level of expression in film.
Blockbuster movies changed the movie industry in the 1970s with the release of Jaws (1975) and Star Wars (1977). Special effects, computer generated images, and advanced story lines helped to transform the film industry. Star Wars was key in revolutionizing this technology. Visuals became much more advanced and allowed for exciting settings like space. Films such as E.T. the Extra Terrestrial (1982) and Jurassic Park (1993) continued to revolutionize the movie industry through the use of fantasy elements created specifically for each film. Movies during this industry were no longer representations of plausible events, an element of fantasy was created.
Overall, movies have had incredible influence on our society in so many ways. Not only do they bring in incredible amounts of revenue, but it went from storytelling to something fans can be a part of. Merchandise, toys, and other goods are created for every popular movie. Each movie series causes a development of strong "fandoms". Movies are not just movies anymore, they are a community. Movies also serve as a way to showcase historical events or the stories of influential people. They allow us to connect deeply with people all over the world. Streaming platforms have also revolutionized the movie industry. People all over the world now have access to hundreds of movies at anytime on any device. People can watch from the comfort of their own home which has increased streaming numbers. Technology also continues to improve every single day. Movies are not only in 3D, but 4D allowing for immersive experiences. It is impossible to know what the future will hold, but I am excited to see the continued development of motion pictures.
No comments:
Post a Comment