Early Film History (con't); Documentary Film Project

LAB WORK:

In the lab answer the questions on the handout using this website and the article (part 1) by Tim Dirks. The next page (part 2) is found on the bottom of the screen. Follow the arrows to the right to advance the page. Complete Part One by answering the questions. If you finish before the bell rings, please begin to read/take notes on part two. Turn in your answers to Part One by the end of class today for participation credit.

Many of Edison's early films were shot by W.K.L. Dickson. Thomas Edison invented the idea of the Kinetoscope but it was Dickson who designed it between 1889-1892. His film studio was called the Black Maria. The first kinetoscope exhibition occurred in New York, NY in 1894.

Other Kinetoscope films (view and take notes on these sample films):

• Carmencita (1894)
• Statue of Liberty (1898)
• The inauguration of President McKinley (1901)
• Skyscrapers of New York (1903) 
• Moscow Clad in Snow (1906)

At the same time, in France, the Lumiere Bros. were also working on the invention of film, particularly a camera that could also project a film for the benefit of an audience. Learn more about The Lumiere Bros. (Documentary, 10 minutes) here when you are in the lab.

• Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat (Lumiere Bros) (1895)
• Lion, London Zoological Gardens (Lumiere Bros) (1895)
• The Sprinkler Sprinkled (Lumiere Bros) (1895)
• Le Squelette Joyeux (the happy skeleton) (1895) 
• Arab Cortege (Lumiere Bros) (1896)
• Various actualities (documentaries)

LAB WORK (continued): 

Please read & view parts 2-5 of Tim Dirk's article on films before 1920. After your reading, choose a topic to further research and create a short documentary film about the subject. 

DOCUMENTARY FILM project:

• Start off with researching your topic. Take notes. Find sources to use (both online video perhaps and/or text).
• Write a short VOICE OVER script for your documentary using the information you found out. Remember to mention in your script where you found information so that you are not plagiarizing! (According to...; ___ writes that...; etc.)
• Your short voice over script should be about 1 page of double-spaced text. You will be expected to record this information for your documentary.

Try to complete the preliminary work for your documentary between this class and our next one (Feb. 10).

HOMEWORK: Work on your documentary film project script. It should be completed by next class so that you can begin to build your film. Read the handout on Edwin S. Porter & George Melies.

Coming Up: George Melies & Edwin S. Porter.