-
The Bet That Started It All
Eadweard Muybridge bet that a horse lifts all his feet at one point in time when running. Bet lead to multiple cameras set up to capture an image of the horse doing to. When looking at the images quickly, it was discovered that the images seem to move. Lead to invention of moving picture. -
Kinetoscope Invented
The kinetoscope was invented by Thomas Edison. Kinetoscope was a single viewing stand where an individual could watch a short film. These were lined in building called kinetoscope parlors. -
Projector Invented
Lumiere brothers invented the projector and created theatres for people to watch short films under a minute long. They called the technology cinematographe, which is what we know it today as cinematography. -
Vaudevilles Erupt
The vaudeville was invented and was a small theatre that featured a short dramatic skit, comedy routine, or a song and dance number. In between performances they would play short films. These lad to nickelodeons. -
Nickelodeons
Nickelodeons more common and were starded from vaudevilles. They were thatres where you would see a movie and only pay a nickel to get in. Had orchestras to play sound to accompany silent picture. -
First Narrated Movie
The first narrated movie was created entitles, "The Great Train Robbery". It had a total of 14 scenes and lasted 12 minutes. Created by Thomos Edison's employee, Edwin Porter. -
Nickelodeons Skyrocket
Nickelodeons were becoming extremely popular and were attracting over twenty six million people every week. In the nect five years, that number had doubled. -
Film Monopoly
Thomas Edison led a group called the Motion Picture Patent Company. They used their patents to control the motion picture field and who could do it. If someone tried to produce their own film, they would use strong tactics to prevent that. -
Migration
The film industry was primarily located in the New York area, but was difficult with it weather for shooting outdoors. Many moved to southern California. Here the weather was perfect and they could escape to Mexico if something went wrong witn Edison. -
Actors
The Motion Picture Patents Company did not want to release the names of the actors because they feared that the actors would become famous and demand more money. -
Independent Companies
The independent studios in California saw things differently. They saw that releasing the actors names and them getting famous is good because people will pay to see an actor they like again and again. -
Famous Stars
Two of the most famous original actors were Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin. Pickford was known as America's sweetheart and Chaplin was a comedy genius.
