THE EVOLUTION OF FILM

After watching this video, what do you notice about the evolution of filmmaking? How did it all begin? How far have we come? In your opinion, where are we headed?

   I noticed that we have truly advanced into a great era in filmmaking. Our angles, shots, stories, special effects, and acting has improved. Sadly, you see many filmmakers try to homage many great films from the past, when we should make films that future generations will try to homage. Technically, it all started since the dawn of man. John Campea once said, "We as a species have always been story tellers." Which is very true. It's just the way we tell these stories that evolves more and more. People see VR as the next way we will tell stories. I believe it is possible but we will never forget the way we tell them now.

MABEL NORMAND

What was Mabel famous for? What were three significant events or films that she made? What was her downfall? What surprises you about her?

   She was known for starring in over one hundred and sixty-seven short films and twenty-three full-length films. She was one of the earliest silent actors to work as her own director. She was also one of the first leading performers to be on film without a previous experience in a theatre. She ad her own studio. She was also named in her film's titles. She became an alcoholic and people harassed her. Her career ended. I'm surprised as to how popular she became.

CHAPLIN

Where did Chaplin get his start? What were some of his talents? What do you admire most about him? Write about three things that find unique about his work.

He got his start during a tour of the U.S. He was seen on stage and was signed onto a film contract. 150 dollars a week for the movies. He rose to fame with films such as A Night Out, The Champion and The Tramp. I admire the fact that he starred in, wrote, produced and directed. He became some of the highest payed people in the world. "The Kid" became the second highest grossing film of the year. It was truly biographical. After the release of "The Great Dictator" they considered Chaplin a warmonger for advocating the U.S. getting involved in WWII. In 1972 Chaplin returned to U.S. to receive an honorary oscar. On December 25, 1977 the great Charlie Chaplin died in his sleep.

SILENT FILM IN THE BAY

What are the roots of silent cinema in the bay area? How did it play an important role in early cinema history? What famous personalities made films here?

   The old fashioned East Bay hamlet of Niles, in other words just a section of Fremont, California. About three blocks down, bounded by the hills on one side and a creek on the other, with a few blocks of the early 20th century downtown storefronts, it would be any village left and abandoned by the railroad years ago. The story of Niles was an opportunity for the Bay Area to become the film capital of the world. However, before Niles, one could say that the Bay Area was the birthplace of cinema itself. Even though the beginning of the Bay Area film industry didn't play out the way it did for Hollywood, to this day the pioneering spirit the Niles Essanay Museum and Stanford’s Muybridge collection celebrate is alive and satisfactory in the hands and work of Bay Area filmmakers.

BLOG QUESTION HOLLYWOOD THEN AND NOW

What do you notice about Hollywood then and now? What do you think changed? What do you think motivated the industry to move to Southern California? What effect do you think it had over New Jersey or Southern California?

   A few buildings that were around back then are still around now. They're just updated with modern architecture. Also, the roads are made of concrete instead of dirt. However, many of the lands, of course, have changed because of the different land owners and renovations.  However, a few laws enforced by Thomas Edison's Motion Picture Patents Co. sent the burgeoning industry in need of a new home. 

FROM NICKLEODEON TO MOVIE PALACE

What were nickelodeons like? What was the first movie palace? What influenced the transition to the movie palace? Why do you think the movie places became so important?

They were big rooms where the newest technology was being used for the motion pictures. Tally's Electric Theater in Los Angeles was the first official building built and purposed entirely to movies. The entertainment and originalitywas what kept it in its popular position

SMASHING PUMPKINS: TONIGHT, TONIGHT

What is this music video about? Why did the band and the filmmakers choose these images? Why are they significant? What do you think they are paying homage to or emulating?

It's about a couple who leave earth and go to space. They jump onto the moon and get captured by alien creatures. After escaping, by riding away on a rocket, they enter an underwater world. They're almost eaten by a big fish when suddenly, poseidon comes in to save the day. They then swim up and are rescued by a ship. I believe they choose these images because they are similar to George Melies' A Trip to the Moon. They're obviously paying a great homage to A Trip To The Moon. It has similar shots, sets, color, and events. However, the style is really what sells it all.

D.W. GRIFFITH'S THE BIRTH OF A NATION

What effect did the film have on the US society at the time? How did the white audience react? How did the african american audience react? How did Griffith respond to the publics reaction to his film? Write about three of the innovations that Griffith pioneered with the film.

   Many africans americans people found this film to be racist. The white people were very excited by the film. They loved the love affair between the southerners and the southerners. 

STUDIO SYMPOSIUM REFLECTION

What classes did you attend at the Studio Symposium? Which was your favorite? What aspects did you enjoy about the class? What could have improved? What are some of the best things you learned at the conference?

   I attended the amazing class led by, the incredibly talented, Alex Vo. Of course, that was my favorite class. I really enjoyed his story. He had a rough childhood, his family didn't support what he did. However, he still managed to become who he is today. I really like his films and his stories about how they came about. I also attended a class held by Carl Pascua. He works for Google and works on Google Fiber. He talked about how he got his job and what he has learned. I do, in fact, believe that the entire event could've been better if they had stayed on schedule. Over all I learned that it doesn't matter where you come from, you can do whatever you want to do. Also, that you must make connections with successful people to have a good career. You don't want to be with the wrong crowd. Finally, I learned that everyone has a struggle. It can be any kind of struggle. No matter what it is we must always help them out so they can do the same for us.

ALICE GUY-BLACHE

What are Alice's contributions to cinema history? Why are her accomplishments so incredible during this time period? What makes her such a significant figure?

Alice Guy-Blache was the first female director. She outlasted all the foreign filmmakers. Until 1912 she was the only female director. She was one of the first directors to use super imposition. She also synchronized sound films. Alice directed for 28 years. 

EARLY FILM SCAVENGER HUNT

Why do you like this early silent film? What is so interesting about it? What are two common things that you noticed about the films you saw while searching for your video on youtube?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpjEyBKSfJQ

I chose this film because it has humor without using any dialogue. Its a classic Charlie Chaplin short called "The Lion's Cage". I like the techniques they used. One would be many reaction shots. This lets us know how the character feels about the situation he is in. i noticed the type of music is very uplifting and happy. This was the same with other videos. Also, there was a lack of camera movement in many films. This lets us concentrate on one scene and location.

THE EARLIEST FILMS

What qualities do these early films share? Why do you think the filmmakers shot these? How do they differ from modern movies?

   These films are all short films that show someone performing a simple action. These are all fun activities such as dancing, swimming, and kissing. I believe they shot these clips because they were all easy to shoot. These don't tell big stories. Also, the camera doesn't move.

MUYBRIDGE

What were Muybridge's contributions to motion pictures? What breakthroughs did he make? Why are they significant? What part of the story did you find the most interesting? Why?

He made photography a medium about time and motion. like freeze frames. many people found it unbelievable. Muybridge's big encyclopedia encompassed 20,000 positions assumed by women, men, children, and by animals. His work had strong graphic appeal, contrast with organic animal and grid. His photos are from an important moment in life. A natural moment.

THE INVENTION OF PHOTOGRAPHY

Why do you think we wouldn't have filmmaking without the invention of photography? Pick three of these innovations on this list and explain their historical importance and why you think it led to the invention of motion pictures.

   I believe the camera obscura is a great invention that contributed to the invention of motion pictures. The camera obscura consisted of a dark room and a picture being portrayed on a wall. That sounds exactly like a movie theatre. A flexible roll film made it easier to take photographs and help photographers. Similarly, many filmmakers always find a new and easier method of filming.

EARLY HUMANS AND ANIMATED ART

What role does lighting play in the caves? How might these painting have been used by primitive man? What are the two techniques that the early artists used to paint on the walls of the cave? Why do you think they painted with these images?

   Lighting gives the images sense of moving. These images might have been used tell stories. They used charcoal for their paintings. They painted many images over and over again but at different angles. This way it all seemed like a flipbook.

SPRING SEMESTER GOALS

Were you able to meet the goals you set out in the beginning of the year? If not, why? Next, set some new goals to achieve by the end of the course this May. We are going to cover a lot of material and have more complex projects. Describe a video project you would like to make before the end of the semester. What do you need to learn in order to accomplish your goal?

   I believe one of my goals was to direct a short film. That is something I have already done. Therefore; I have accomplished my goal. Now one of my goals is to adapt a style. I want someone to watch one of my films and know it's from me because of the style. The correct angles, pacing, and dialog will help me accomplish this. I'm looking forward to the project where we adapt a style of a famous filmmaker.