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how it all started
once the principle of creating the illusion of mothin from a series of still images was realized, devices were invented that would fascinate anhone who wanted (for a price) to watch "moving images." -
cinematographe
According to popular history, it was the lumiere brothers in france who first did what thomas edison inititially didnt want to do- devise a projector that could show motion pictures on a screen for an audince. they called their invention cinematographe. -
vaudeville
During this time, vaudeville (small theaters that featured short dramatic skits, comedy routines, and song and dance numbers) was quite popular. In order get one up on the conpetition and fill in time between acts, vaudeville theaters started featuring short films. -
first narative film
It was emplyee of Thomas Edison, Edwin Porter, who in 1903, created the first U.S. narrative film, The Great Train Robbery. -
nickelodeon
Nickelodeons were small storefront-type theaters that featured films (accompanied by piano music and sound effects) along with one or two vaudeville acts. -
The early days
Nickelodeon theaters were attracting 26 million viewers each week. Five years later that number had more than doubled. The popularity of films soon attracted the attention of those seeing the potential for big profits. And what better way to insure big profits than to try to create a monopoly in an attempt to control everything. -
MPPC
Led by thomas edison, several companies formed a trust called the mostion pictures patents company (MPPC). The plan was to use their combined patents to control things such as the production of raw film stock, projection equipment, and film distribution and exhibition; in other words, almost everything in the motion picture industry. -
Independent film companies
Independent film companies tried to compete- but at considerable risk. MPPC people raided the independent studios that attempted to make films. Equipment was smashed and employees were threatened. -
location
On the west coast they were much farther away from MPPA control. (And it should be noted, close to Mexico, in case they had to quickly close up operations and make a hasty retreat to a safer terrain.) -
early actors
The motion picture patents company didnt want to list the names of actors in their films because they feared that the actors would become well known and would subsequently want more money. -
movie stars
The independent studios that had set up shop on the west coast saw things differently. They immediately recognized an advantage in developing popular stars that audiences would pay to see time and time again. -
Charlie Chaplin
Two stars from this early era whose names are definitely famous in the annals of film history are Mary Pickford and Charlie Chaplin.
