-
it started with a bet
Eadweard Muybridge makes a bet for 25,000 saying that when a horse is running at full speed none of its feet are off the ground at one point. Trying to prove this theory he takes multiple pictures as the horse is running by. Doing so he discovered a motion picture effect like a flip book. -
Kinetoscope Parlor
Invented by Thomas Edison the kinetoscope let people watch moving pictures. Although there were some disadvantages. They were only able to be seen by one person at a time and just like early movies there was no sound. -
The invention of cinematograhe
The Lumiere brothers in france did what Thomas dison didn't want to do. They used a projector to show short 30 second films to an audience. They called there invention Cinematographe. -
The First Narrative Movie
The Great Train Robbery was the first narratve movie. It was directed by Edwin Porter and consisted of 14 scenes lasting about 12 minutes long. It as unbelievable by the standards of those days. -
Motion Picture Patents Company
Led by Thomas Edison several companies formed a trust known as the Motion Picture Patents Company (MPPC). They used their patents to control almost everything in the motion pictures industry from production equipment to even the actors themselves. The MPPC raided any independent studios that tried to make films, destroying equipment and threatening employees. -
Moving to L.A.
To accommodate for filming conditions and to get awy from the MPPC the film industry moved to the west coast. Poor filming conditions on the east coast near New York was one of reasons for the move to the west coast. L.A. was also alot farther away from the MPPC ,L.A. was also closer to mexico. Which ment if the MPPC did come knocking on your door you could make a quick escape across the border. -
Creating Superstars
The first 20th century superstar was Charlie Chaplin, the undisputed genius of silent comedy. He started out making $150 a week and by 1917 was making over amillion a year.
