3- Silent To Sound Flashcards
Edison’s first public screening in 1907?
First public screening of his sound film. No amplification so no one could hear it.
Problems with sound on disc at the start?
Problems with synchronization and amplification.
Phonofilm?
Developed by Lee De Forest. Originally worked on it with western electric, but they dropped him. He then teamed up with inventor Theodor Case. Tried to take phonofilm to the studios in the 1920’s, but none were interested. Case would later leave de forest for lack of credit and started developing his own sound system with FOX.
Vitaphone?
Developed by the Warner’s, working with western electric. Made shorts with sound to play in the middle of their silent film screenings via the vitaphone. First sound release that marked the transition was Warner’s film “the Jazz Singer” in 1927. After this, all the studios retooled for sound, going with sound on disc.
Movie tone?
Developed by Theodor Case for FOX after he fell out with de forest. Fox-Case corporation released newsreels using movie tone.
Which sound system set the standard of 24fps?
Movie tone
In sound film, the camera was too loud to be in the same room as the mic. So what did they do?
Placed the camera in an ice box, this limited the camera to be still, no blocking/ actor movement.
Gaumont?
French film company. 1895. Started manufacturing cameras, film stock etc. Started with short 1 minute films for arcades. Would later grow in production with introduction of Alice guy-Blanche their production coordinator and the first female film director.
Pathe?
French film company that distributed in America. Founded by 4 Pathe brothers. Manufactured film stock and phonographs. Started with one minute films for kinetoscopes.
What were the 20’s in France all about?
Age of experimentation. Expressionism, experimentation in montage, realism, mise en scene, etc.
Abel Gance?
Very experimental. 9 hour films. Panoramic screen films. Began at gaumont as a scriptwriter.
Jacuse
Moved to Pathe in 1923.
The wheel
Rene Clair?
Lots of music, experimented with sound. Merged diagetic and non-diagetic sound to create confusion within the audience and to trick the audience.
Cinematograph act?
Act passed in Britain in 1927. Forced exhibitors to show British made films. 7.5% of all films exhibited had to be shot in Britain, 75% of cast and crew had to be British.
Quota quickies?
Quickly made, shitty films made to fill the quota for the cinematograph act.
Ealing?
Famous for ealing comedies. Major studio in England in the 1950’s.
