The silent era became a mass medium, the dominant American entertainment,
recognised as a major modern art form.
First international stars such as Chaplin, Valentino and
Garbo.
First major directors in this period.
Land mark films from this era include. Birth of a nation, The
Gold Rush, Greed.
But silent cinema barely known today.
Destruction of American Silent Films
Only 25% of 10,919 silent films have survived.
Small original print runs.
Destroyed for legal reasons. When recreating sound versions
of films.
Silent films were worth more in silver than in film. So many
were destroyed in the 1930s.
Fires in vaults at Warner’s an Fox destroyed almost all of their
silent films.
Across the great divide
Silent films reflect cultural, performance conventions of
their own time.
Influence of Melodrama
Attitudes to social issues such as race, gender and sexuality
have changed.
Absence of spoken dialogue necessitated stylised, highly
gestural pantomime acting styles.
(Silent) Cinema
Silent films weren’t silent
Before 1910 films came with a narration
Music played with them.
Nickelodeons were interactive and raucous environments. (Nickelodeon
era was 1900-1910ish)
Key Industry Shifts 1903-1915
From Manufacturing shift-led to entertainment-led.
From East Coast to West Coast
From Shorts to features.
Emergence of rationalised systematised production practices.
Emergence of a conventionalised narrative oriented cinema.
1903-1908 from attraction to industry
1905- Nickelodeon boom in the US
Expansion of film business. With larger more sophisticated
companies with national distribution operations.
Production almost entirely concentrated in NY/NJ region.
Why Hollywood?
Film Production only became centred on LA from 1914.
NY based production companies sent teams to film during north-eastern
winters in more benign parts of US.
California offered most reliable climate.
1909-1912: The MPCC and Hollywood Independents
1908 Motion Picture Parents Company (MPPC) established. Made
money from licencing equipment.
1910 European films promote move towards feature films.
1912 US Court decision ends MPPCs ability to monopolise film production
and exhibition.
1912-1913 Emergence of the studios
What is a movie studio?
Any space which is used exclusively or adapted to make
artistic productions.
Features and Stars 1913-1914: Features and Stars
From 1910 – First features and Biblical and classical epics.
1913 – DW Grittith makes first 4-reel production.
The Star System
MPPC avoided named stars to avoid high salaries.
Independents used stars for product differentiation
Stars become central to US filmmaking and focus of popular
cults.
Astronomical salaries for stars.
1915- The birth of a nation (AKA The Clansman)
