Mass Comm Exam 4 Film
What are some opinions about Griffith?
-"like writing history with lightning" (President Wilson on Birth of a Nation) -"The teacher of us all" (Charlie Chaplain) -"The Father of Film" (Lillian Gish) -"The premier genius of our medium" (Welles)
The Genius of Orson Welles
-1st shocked the nation in '38 with the radio version of The War of the Worlds -In 1941, acted, wrote, produced & directed what some consider the greatest movie ever made, Citizen Kane -Film loosely based on the life of William Randolph Hearst -Kane and 2nd film, The Magnificent Ambersons, were considered his greatest achievements.
2018: Highest Grossing Year
-2018 yielded 4 of the worldwide top grossing films of all-time, and that was before the holiday season, which made 2018 the highest grossing year yet, with a total gross of $11,892. -Avengers: Infinity War: highest grossing film in 2018, highest opening weekend, fastest to gross $1b (11 days), then $1.5b (18 days) worldwide. -Black Panther: surpassed Titanic which had been #2 or #3 in the U.S. for decades; remains the most tweeted-about movie ever: 35+ million (that will likely soon change).
Living with Television
-70% of studio production is now for TV -Satellite, cable, pay-per-view, videodisc, DVD, & videocassette now provide distribution/exhibition for movies -50% studio revenues VCR/cable/satellite rentals -Distributors make 3 times as much from domestic home entertainment as from rentals to movie houses.
The Golden Age of Hollywood characteristics
-Also called the "Classical Age" 1920's-1940's -Keys to the success during this period: 1. Studio system:1920's to war time 2. Vertical integration: setup in which the big 5 companies owned every aspect of a process, every sep of the way: production, distribution, and exhibition 3. Horizontal integration: setup in which the minor 3 produced and distributed films only
James Bond Series
-Began in 1962 with Dr. No; once the highest grossing franchise; now 4th. -Six actors have portrayed Bond: Connery, Lazenby, Moore, Dalton, Brosnan, Craig; Spectre is the 25th. -Skyfall (2012), then Spectre (2015), then Quantum of Solace (2008), are the highest grossing Bond films ever.
What kind of. motion did motion pictured begin with?
-Began with pixel motion, using still photos like a flip book -It was assembled and timed
What was Griffith's Downfall?
-Birth of a Nation was seen as too controversial and seen as racist with KKK as heroes -His next film, Intolerance has the most elaborate sets and cost too much so the industry stopped trusting him -Founded United Artists with Pickford, Fairbanks, and Chaplian; didn't stay long so her never given due credit
Info on Edison's Motion Picture Studio
-Black Maria was the studio in West Orange, New Jersey where he filmed, it had an open roof revolving around the sun -Later, Edison opened a nickelodeon that would allow people to peep into a machine. the Kinetoscope which was invented by William Dickson -Marked the beginning of the commercial motion picture industry
The 1980s
-Blockbuster syndrome coalesces -Spielberg & Lucas: new auteurs -Ancillary markets expand (cable, home video) -Fall of Soviet Union, China's opening more allow for a global market -Reagan-era changes: FCC's deregulation will integrate film & TV industry; companies now have ability to cross own media; ownership relaxation.
How was the term Bollywood coined?
-Bombay which is now known as Mumbai, became the center of Indian film Industry and it was likened to Hollywood -Nicknamed Bollywood, even though there is no place in India named that -India produces more films than any other country in the world
George Lucas
-Born in Modesto; USC film school 1963 -1st film: THX 1138; started Lucasfilm Lmt.; American Graffiti 1st film from his studio; Universal edited the film -Turned to the stars; wanted a universal epic: youth/adventure; damsel/distress; morality play w/good & evil were clearly defined -Took ideas to Universal & UA; both passed, but Fox accepted
Current trends in movie making
-Conglomerations/foreign ownership leads to blockbuster mentality -Concept films more popular/foreign dist. -Concepts/plots/characters often market tested -Sequels & remakes now dominate -Comic book & TV successes are revived -Merchandising more important than plot -Product placement is prevalent
Who is William Henry Fox Talbot?
-Created the Calotype paper film developing process -Involved a negative that could make duplicates -Because he delayed this invention he missed his credit
MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
-Credited with he creation of the star system -Glamorous, colorful films -Clark Gable, Joan Crawford -The Wizard of Oz, Singing in the Rain, An American in Paris, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers -Went from the largest in early years to bust in '60s
Who is Save Dada
-Credited with the earliest Indian Films beginning in 1899 -He got his inspo from the Lumier brothers
Conglomerate Hollywood (1980s to present)
-Deregulation goes into higher gear with waves of media merger & consolidation of film & TV industry. -Studios annex the "independent market" -End of the Cold War brings a global market -Digital revolution now present (CGI, DVD)
Covergence
-Digital technologies reshaping industry -Kodak & Texas Instruments experimenting w/digital distribution via satellite; how many theaters will convert? -Microcinema (digital video cameras & desktop editing) becoming popular -Spike Lee: Bamboozled on digital video; George Lucas shot action scenes of Phantom Menace using digital video.
Overview of Birth of a Nation
-Directed by David Wark Griffith -1915 film that was the most influential silent film and the biggest box-office hit prior to 1920 -Most controversial and remains one of the most banned -It was close to 3 hours and had a 6 week rehearsal and one week shoot, costing $125,000 to produce -Admission cost $3, the most profitable film until 1939 -First film show in the White House while Wilson was president -First blockbuster in the film industry
Depression hits Hollywood
-Documentaries help people understand the world -Musicals/comedies provided escapism -Gangster films reflected life's reality -Horror films relayed alienation & powerlessness -Double features were money savers -Vertical integration gave studios control
Who were the Pioneers in Motion Picture Development?
-Eadweard Muybridge -Peter Roget -Hannibal Goodwin -George Eastman -Thomas Edison -William Dickson
Thomas Edison's court battles
-Edison sought to get control over a number of patents crucial to the film industry -He already owned the patent for the camera and projector motors along with other film technologies -His rivals were warned that if they did not use Edison's equipment and films, he would sue -Eventually, courts upheld Edison's rights to patent leading to the "Trust" of the MPPC
Hollywood after Lucas
-Established the independent film market -Films changed epic production & story-telling -Made Hollywood what it is today; created a new world for Hollywood -Not just a creator & director; he is the studio. -Our cultural imagination has collectively been transformed by his films. -Changed the way movies are made -Can JJ Abrams match up to the master; YES?
2015: The Year of the "Force"
-Even in October, 58 days away from its opening, The Force Awakens had the single biggest surge in movie ticket selling ever; websites crashed, and the trailer was driving people crazy (17,000 tweets per minute). Tickets were being sold on eBay for $400. -Records held by this 7th installment of the iconic franchise: -The highest grossing domestic film of all-time -It broke opening day box office records; the fastest film to reach $100 million, then $200 million... $700 million (16 days) -Surpassed the $760.5 million record set by Avatar in a record-breaking 20 days of release; -Biggest all-time December debut; highest domestic 2nd & 3rd weekend ever; biggest Xmas & New Year box office-$34.5.
What is the Motion Picture Production Code?
-Forbade profanity -Limited bedroom scenes to married couples -Delineated the length of screen kisses -Outfits could not be skimpy -Could not ridicule public officials or religious leaders -Words such as "God" or "nuts" outlawed
United Artists
-Founded by Griffith, Chaplin, Mary Pickford & Douglas Fairbanks, it is now owned by a group that includes MGM, Comcast & Tom Cruise. -They struggled for many years, but remained viable over the years. -Responsible for backing West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Last Tango in Paris, Pink Panther, James Bond, In the Heat of the Night, Rocky, The Graduate, Rocky; Gilligan's Island, Outer Limits.
Warner Brothers
-Four brothers: Jam, Sam,Albert and Harry founded -Had a tradition of urban crime dramas -1930s gangster films (Cagney) -1940s hard boiled detective (Sam Spade) yields to film noir -Maltese Falcoon: Bogart stuck between good and evil, develops his own code -Casablanca: classic example of how WB adapts to economic and social conditions; Jan 23,2018 the 75th anniversary of the film -Recently had a huge failure in Justice league, the lowest opening for a DC Comic film
The 1968 Rating System
-G: approved for all audiences to see -M: all ages allowed, but parental guidance needed -R: Restricted for anyone below 16, parent or guardian needed to attend -X: absolutely no one under 17 admitted -Over the years, these designations changed often; Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom causes problems with parents
The current ratings system
-G: remains as it was in 1968 -PG: added in 1972, suggesting parental guidance -PG-13: recommended by Spielberg; suggests that some of the film may be inappropriate for a child under 13 -R: still remains as it was in 1968 -NC-17: Since 1990, replaced X, no one under 17 will be permitted
Who made the first Narrative Film?
-George Melies, a stage magician by trade, became interested in film after seeing the Lumiere films -His films are more like magic and musical theater -In 1902 he made A Trip to the Moon, famous scene of the spaceship landing in the eye of the man on the mood -Called "1st artist of cinema" -Edison bribed him and got a copy, played it in the U.S. and dint give a dime to Melies
-History of Bollywood Movies
-Goal was to establish a medium for everyone -No rules, no precedents, no expectations -Language of film had to be learned by creators/audience
2020 Films
-Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 -Suicide Squad 2 -Flashpoint -Bad Boys for Life -Doctor Sleep -Bond 25 -Untitled Marvel Movie -Mulan -Fast and Furious 9 -Maleficent 2 -Wonder Woman 1984 -Top Gun: Maverick -The Bob's Burger Movie -The Croods 2
The Three "Minor" Studios
-Had no theaters but still apart of the studio system -Universal (color globe w Universal) -Columbia (woman, draped in flag with torch) -United Artists (UA in large stylish letters)
Who created roll film?
-Hannibal Goodwin created roll film in 1889 and George Eastman began manufacturing it in 1898 after his copyright request was approved
The Era of Competition: 1950's-1970's
-Hollywood fights back: special effects, greater dependence on color & CinemaScope, 3-D, Smell-o-vision. -Rapid shift to independent production -Spectaculars differentiated TV's offerings -Message movies popular (alienation of youth) -Changing values toward sex -Ultimately, "blaxploitation" films (Shaft)
Disney Big Move: Lucasfilms
-In November, 2012, Disney announced a $4.05 billion deal to acquire Lucasfilm; now own Pixar, Muppets & Marvel. -Sony: Spider-Man & Ghost Rider; -Warner Bros: All DC comics & all Looney Tunes characters; -20th Century Fox: X-Men, Fantastic Four, Planet of the Apes; -Paramount: Transformers, Star Trek
Alfred Hitchcock
-In his 54-year career, over the 57 films he made, Hitchcock never won a directing Oscar, nor did his films receive a best-film Oscar. However, he was the undisputed master of suspense. He made cameo appearances in 39 of his films. -He was fixated on the heroines in his films: Grace Kelly, Tippi Hedren, Kim Novak, Janet Leigh. Sometimes his fixation turned cruel. -His 1950s TV show made him really popular in America; set him up for his 1960 masterpiece, Psycho, a film that Paramount didn't have faith in and didn't understand.
Part 3: Return of the Jedi
-Initially called "Revenge of the Jedi," but Lucas said a Jedi would not seek revenge; thus changed to "Return." -Opened May 25, 1983; made $6.2 million on the first day. -Lucas had control over his career, but his personal life was a mess; his marriage had ended.
What did Edwin S. Porter do?
-Initially worked for Edison and was the one who illegally helped copy Melies film, admired him -He created the 1903, 12 minute, 14 scene "The Great Train Robbery" which was the first U.S. narrative film -It was the first western to use cross cutting (jumping back and forth between scenes) montage (tying two separate but related shots to give unified meaning) and first public display of someone intentionally harming another also first to show gunfire used to make someone dance
Paramount Pictures, Inc.
-Introduced block-booking; meant that if theaters wanted films starring Pickford, Fairbanks or Valentino they had to buy other Paramount products -Some films were racy (Mae West), great comedies (Marx Brothers, Bob Hope "Road" pictures) and great dramas (Double Indemnity) -Their 1927 film, Wings, won the first. best picture Oscar given and first silent film to win Best Picture, "The Artist" is only the second silent film to win Best Picture in 2012
Today's Theatre Experience
-It appears that the theater experience is still powerful & unique, in spite of: -The availability of content for home & portable platforms -More options than ever before -The rise of Netflix -The way that the Internet has reshaped the way we consume content overall.
What are the characteristics of The Studio System?
-It is a factory-based, mass production system -Key persons involved are contracted talent (directors, actors, etc.) -"Star system" is just one aspect; primary stars all contracted to one studio or another -Film genres formulas are geared to the stars -The eight major studios shared one another's film and theaters, loaned out talent to each other
2016: 2nd Highest Grossing Year in Films
-It was going to be difficult to beat 2015's box office, which was $11.129; but 2016 did beat the previous year, $11.377. -Thanks to films like Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Finding Dory, The Secret Life of Pets and Captain America: Civil War, 2016 saw a 2.2% increase. -For the first time ever, nine films made more than $300 million in North America; only one film in the top 10 domestically did not make that amount: Marvel's Dr. Strange.
2015: 3rd Highest Grossing Year in Films
-It was predicted that 2015 would be massive: with raging dinosaurs, the force, avenging superheroes and really fast cars, it was easy to predict. -It was the 1st $5 billion summer, the 1st $11 billion North American box office, and the 1st $40 billion global box office. Jurassic World was the #1 movie of the summer, which grossed $643 million in the U.S., $1.6 billion worldwide; at the time of its opening, it was the biggest opening in movie history (U.S.: $208.8 million); passing Marvel's The Avengers ($207.4) as #1 on the all time list; globally, it beat The Deathly Hallows-Part 2's $314 million with a $315.6 million launch.
Who is seen as the "Fathers of Photography"?
-Joesph Niepce -Louis Daguerre -William Henry Fox Talbot
Who is Louis Daguerre?
-Joseph Niepce's assistant -Developed a photographic process with images produced on a light sensitive polished metal surface -Faster than Niepce's but there could be no copies made because it wasn't reproducible -Many consider him "THE father of photography" -Photos were called Daguerreotypes
The Making of Star Wars
-Lucas got the rights to make sequel; large slice of merchandising rights -In '75, founded visual effects company, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM); studios no longer had such -ILM was not effective initially; Lucas stepped in personally; brought in old film battles to be recreated; sounds also created; Vader's voice an excellent example: microphone was placed inside a regulator on a scuba tank, giving the breathy sounds.
MGM: Power to Bankruptcy
-MGM lost $ in the '60s, recovered in the '70s; bought UA in 1981, then spiraled downward in the '80s /'90s. -Ted Turner purchased MGM, but sold most of it; Turner retained the pre-1986 library (TNT). -In 2004, MGM was purchased by Sony, Comcast & others; after the purchase, the studio went into heavy debt; filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November 2010; emerged from bankruptcy in December, 2010. -MGM's bright spot: MGM owns the James Bond series.
The Effects of Talking Movies
-Made new genres possible (musicals) -Performances/acting improved -Smaller studios closed since so expensive -Big film studios became all powerful
How did the "Trust" come to an end?
-Many independent studios simply moved as far away from New York as possible: California -New exciting companies were sprung up -In the United States V. Motion Picture Patents Company, the Trust was found to be too brutal and the courts declared it an illegal monopoly in 1915, ended in 1918
Who took place in the rise of Directors
-Max Sennett: Comedy, "Keystone Kops"; Charlie Chaplin films -Cecil B. DeMille: Spectacular, Ten Commandments -Busby Berkeley: Musical, 42nd Street -Frank Capra: Sentimental, It's a Wonderful Life -Stanley Kubrick: Action, Spartacus; Sci-Fi, 2001: A Space Odyssey; Psychological Horror, The Shining; Erotic Thriller, Eyes Wide Shut; Crime, A Clockwork Orange
RKO (Radio Keith Orpheum Studio)
-Merged together under the direction of Sarnoff; later owned by Howard Hughes -Known for screwball comedies; also musicals with Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers; Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn also -Best known for King Kong and Citizen Kane -Original RKO pictures ended in the late 1950's
1939 Hollywood
-Most film historians consider this the single greatest year of film-making. -Films such as: Gone With the Wind, Stagecoach, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Wuthering Heights, Of Mice and Men, & The Wizard of Oz all nominated for Academy Awards -Victor Fleming directed both Gone With the Wind & The Wizard of Oz
What's the MPPC?
-Motion Picture Patents Company -Edison formed the MPPC or "Trust" with all of the American major studios at the time -They controlled New York film industry by collecting fees on all aspects of film production and exhibition -They determined the look, length, and style of film -It was a criminal organization; said to have bribed, threatened, blew up, beat, and killed competitors
The Corporate Independent Studios characteristics
-Named because they produce movies that look & feel like independent films -Many are specialty/niche divisions of majors -Designed to produce more sophisticated & less costly films to: -Gain prestige -Earn cable/DVD income
How rich is George Lucas?
-Negotiated small salary upfront for 40% of box office gross, all rights to future sequels, ownership of all merchandising rights: -Videogames: $1.6 B -Box Office: $4.55 B Action figures/toys: $9 B -Franchise has earned more than $22 billion
The End of Silent Films
-Not all black & white; some were color for mood -Never shown without music -Sound could have been added earlier; saved $ -Warner Brothers desperate, almost bankrupt -Experts disagree as to the 1st talking film -Most agree that The Jazz Singer (1927) was the 1st with sound; Lights of New York (1928)—1st all sound
2017 Anomaly
-Once a film is in the can, rarely will substantial changes be made. All of that changed when Kevin Spacey was ousted in Hollywood; Spacey starred as billionaire J. Paul Getty in All the Money in the World, all about Getty's grandson's kidnapping. -On November 8, director Ridley Scott announced actor Christopher Plummer would replace Spacey; in fewer than 20 days, at an estimated cost of $20m, all of his scenes were re-shot. The unprecedented decision will likely help with the box office, 12/22 opening.
Who is Joseph Niepce?
-One of the Father's of film -Developed photographic process in 1816 -He created the world's first and oldest surviving photograph made by a camera but it required days of exposure
Star Wars Part Two
-Opened May 21, 1980; surpassed expectations; Lucas recovered $33 million invested; shared profits w/employees -Fined $250,000 because credits were not in the beginning; cut most Hollywood ties; left Fox & went to Paramount for Raiders -Brought back a sense of fantasy & wonder
Star Wars Opening
-Opened on May 25, 1977; released in fewer than 40 theaters; broke 36 records -Greatest profit for Fox before '77 was $37 million; that year, $79 million -Little merchandise available; only boxes initially; 10 AA nominations; 7 won -Brought in more $ than any other film in history
Twentieth Century Fox
-Originally known for biographies and musicals, later branched out to thought-provoking adult films and book adaptations -The King and I, Carousel and the Sound of Music all prime examples of their musicals -Cleopatra, starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, almost put the studio out of business it was budgeted at 2 million but took 44 million. Taylor contracted 1 million and made 7 million
Hollywood and WWII
-Other countries had shut down film making; FDR allowed industry to continue if supportive of war efforts; war bonds were sold in theater lobbies. -Films pushed war efforts; demonized the enemy. -Frank Capra joined the Army and made propaganda films; other persons in Hollywood joined the war effort. -By the end of the war, 90 million were filling the theaters.
Griffith's Contributions
-Parallel editing -Dolly and trucking (camera movement) -Star system -Special music composed for film, particularly for action -New camera angles -Split Screen -Popularized false eyelashes -Decorative title cards -first to use full screen close ups -Flashbacks -Iris shot (gradual blacking in the frame of a circle) -Mask (device placed in front of the lens to change shape) -First systematic use of the soft focus shot (blurred effect) -First full length filmmaker
Who is Peter Roget?
-Persistence of Vision -Suggested that the brain keeps an image of a picture for a longer time than the eye does -Stroboscopic motion is the illusion of that motion
Other Record Years
-Prior to this 2009, other record years: -1946 with 4 billion tickets sold; now 1.6 billion a year see a movie in U.S. theaters -2003 hit a record with $9.5 billion; in 2005, $8.8 billion; in 2007, $9.66 -By 2007, few films were stand-alone, experimental, independent; Hollywood began to rely on sequels and films that would appeal to younger audiences.
How was animation produced?
-Produced with cells: transparent sheets with drawn or painted images -Shot one frame at a time
Future Sequel Expectations
-Producer Jerry Bruckheimer has confirmed that there will likely be new Top Gun, Beverly Hills Cop, Bad Boys, Pirates of the Caribbean versions going in production soon. -Avengers: Infinity War, the film that will bring together many of the most popular Marvel characters, will be released in the coming days; 2019 Avengers 4 release. -Avengers: Infinity War is on track to have a $200m opening. It may well out sell the record holder, Star Wars: The Force Awakens.
Three Component Systems
-Production: the making of movies; 900 feature-length films produced in '03; videotaping & digital filmmaking changing industry -Distribution: supplying films to networks (broadcast, cable, satellite), video disks -Exhibition: 36,000 screens/80% have 2 or more/average 340 seats; deregulation now means that ½ of all screens owned by studios
Who is Dadasaheb Phalke?
-Released the first full length Indian film in 1913 -Referred to as the "Father of Indian Film"
Disney's 2016 Fortunes
-Rogue One: A Star Wars Story broke all records. This was the first standalone film outside of the Skywalkers; others are planned about Luke & Leia, and still others about future Jedi knights. -Studio also had Moana (#11), Finding Dory (#2), Captain America: Civil War (#3), The Jungle Book (#5), Zootopia (#7) and Doctor Strange (#13).
Columbia Studios
-Screwball comedies, they signed the 3 Stooges for many years; Cary Grant was a shared start with RKO; later added Rosalind Russel and William Holden; Frank Capra helped bring respect -In 1982, Coca-Cola bought them; same year, launched the Tri-Star; they later merged and Sony bought them in 1989 -They filmed or own Easy Rider, Tootsie, Spider Man, Men in Black, All in the Family, Jeopardy
Battle between HD DVD and Blu Ray
-Similar; players look the same, discs look the same, disc menus the same. -Blu-ray has: better image quality (better resolution, highest quality format, better than theaters), better sound quality, larger storage capacity (50GB v. 8 GB), more special features. -HD DVD: cost less; more titles (initially), faster loading times. -HD DVD is dying; supporters now going Blu-ray!
2017: 4th Largest Grossing Year
-Some thought that 2017 could beat 2016's impressive record, but ended with $11.071 billion in total gross revenue. -The assumption was that Star Wars: The Last Jedi would help propel it to a record-breaking year; it was the top film, but it did not perform well enough to make the year the highest grossing. -2017 was once again a year of superheroes, sequels, and children's films.
The Corporate Independent Studios
-Sony Classics -Warner Independent -Paramount Vantage -Fox Searchlight Pictures -Focus Features (Universal)
Rise of New Hollywood: 1970s
-Sparked by the end of the 1970s, with films like Jaws & Star Wars. -New era of cable TV, along with pay-cable movie channels (new market), and the VCR period (now home movies). -Increased reliance on spectacles -Intensifying "blockbuster syndrome"
New Problems in film
-Steven Soderbergh's film, Bubble, was released in 2006 simultaneously in theaters, on cable television, and on DVD. -Films are usually released in theaters, & 4 months after debut, on to DVD; only after sales have ebbed on those two markets will the film will be broadcast on television. -Bubble was a partnership with Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks) for his Landmark chain of theaters. -Bubble opened 1/27/06 in Landmark theaters; on HDNet, available from Adelphia, Charter Communications, Time Warner, DIRECTV, and the DISH Network; 1/31/06 available at retail outlets. Oscar-winning Soderbergh (Ocean's Eleven, Traffic) not the first (Noel) but the most influential, to make 6 films under the deal.
Living with Televison
-Studios found a new formula: abandon mass production; focus on financing & distribution; produce fewer "biggie" films. -Studios realized that television could be useful to them: -Began to syndicate old films for television. -Began to step up telefilm series production. -By 1960, studios made more money from television than from films; still so today.
Lasting Effects of Star Wars
-Success has had a dark side; Lucas fought the corporate system, & now he's the head of a corporation (he's become what he tried to avoid—Darth Vader) -He can now make movies the way he wants them to be. -Including the re-release in 1997, the 3 films earned $1.3 billion; $4 billion in just merchandising.
2017 Expectations
-The 2016 sequels did not do well at the box office for the most part; in spite of that, the studios put out a record 44 sequels. -Star Wars: The Last Jedi debuted at more than $220m, surpassing Beauty & the Beast's $174m opening in March. Only 3 others have done so: Star Wars: The Force Awakens, $248m (2015); 2015's Jurassic World, $208.8m (2015); and The Avengers, $207.4m (2012).
Hollywood scandals
-The Kiss: too realistic, suggestive for the time -Pickford/Fairbanks: divorced spouses to marry each other -"Fatty" Arbuckle: accused of raping/murdering young actress at his three day party, found not guilty -Wallace Reid: the most famous actor of his time (Birth of a nation) died drug related death -William Desmond Taylor: the director whose unsolved muder may have been a studio cover up
How did censorship begin?
-The Motion Picture Producers & Distributors of America (1922) was founded to deal with the scandals in Hollywood; later changed to Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA). -Will Hays appointed president, he released Motion Picture Production Code (MPPC) adopted in 1930, but not truly enforced until 1934; $25,000 fines for some infractions. -The rating code changed in 1968 to the present one.
Post Depression changes
-The audience size increased initially -The Justice Department challenged vertical integration for all of the studios in 1938, he actual decision was made in 1948 -It was the absolute worst time for Hollywood, RCA debuted television in 1939
What was the market control of the studio system?
-The eight owned most of the critical first-run theaters. -They controlled the product through the rest of the nation's theaters. -They shared each other's films and first-run theaters. -They effectively locked out any significant competition.
Psycho!!!
-The film was unusual for several reasons: the death of the primary actress 40 minutes into the film; it was black & white in a period of color films; the famous shower scene was risqué in 1960 & the murder scene. -There were 78 setups for the shower scene, with 52 cuts; he spent an entire week shooting the 3-minute scene. -There's a model who stands in for Janet Leigh; chocolate sauce is used to represent blood going down the drain; the knife never penetrates skin; when it touches the skin, it's Hitchcock's hand with the knife; the music makes the scene!
What happened to the film industry after MPPC ended?
-The industry moved west -Adolph Zukor had problems with the MPAA -Purchased rights to The Prison of Zenda, which in 1913 became the first feature film -Decided to move to Flagstaff Arizona because of the climate, scenery and land prices; but Arizona wouldn't allow them so they moved to L.A. -This is where they set up Paramount and West Coast film industry
The End of Hollywood's Golden Age
-The rise of commercial television brought competition to Hollywood. -The 1948 Paramount Decree forced studios to sell theaters; without theaters, studios could not maintain the cost of producing films. -Suburban migration was conducive to television watching, not movie going. -Thus, there is a steep decline in movie going.
Characteristics of David Wark Griffith?
-The single most important person in the development of film as an art form -Given an honorary award for unparalleled contributions -He was a minor actor with The Edison Company; became the greatest director in just five years -He was the first to specialize as a director, cared about rehearsing, costuming, lighting; used montages, close-ups, medium shots to create passion and move emotions
Since 1999-2000
-There's conglomerate control of U.S. media. -New breed of blockbusters. -Surging global media markets. -Integration of TV & film industries.
Universal Studios
-They were the first to give billing and screen credit to the actors (leads to the star system) Edison had refused to do so -In the 20's, had deal with the owner of animated character, Oswald, co-created by Disney who asked for higher fee for his illustrations but was turned down -Disney took "Steamboat Willie" with him -Known for horror and Sherlock Holmes dramas
Movies and their audiences
-Typical moviegoer in the U.S. is a teenager or young adult -Represent more than 30% of the tickets bought (less than 20% of audience) -Malls are logical places for teens to see movies -Most aimed at kids; 8 of top 10 appeal to younger audiences -Medium seems to be dominated by wants & needs of a young audience; yet, some films of merit also represented
The Rise of the "Big Five"
-Ultimately, many mergers led to 5 clearly strong studios, all vertically integrated -MGM (roaring lion) -Paramount (snow capped mountain) -20th century fox (large, gold block letters) -Warner Brothers (large WB in border) -RKO (radio tower atop a spinning globe) They took care of each other and owned 50-70% of the money
Today's Major Studios
-Warner Brothers (Harry Potter, Superman, Matrix, Star Wars) -20th Century Fox (Avatar, Ice Age, X-Men, Die Hard, Fantastic Four) -Paramount (longest operating Hollywood studio; Titanic, Transformers, Indiana Jones) -Universal (Jaws, E.T., Jurassic Park; backlot is so massive, other studios also shoot at Universal) -Sony Pictures (produce, distribute & co-distribute films) -Walt Disney Studios (known for animation dominance)
Who is Eadweard Muybridge?
-Was asked by Governor of California, Stanford to take pictures of horses trotting -Also took pictures of other animals moving, naked women, etc -Projected these images on a Zoopraxiscope (able to project slides onto a distant surface)
When was Indian Cinema's Golden Age?
-When India gained independence in 1947 from Great Britain -1947-1960's
Changes in DVD market
-When format was only 8 years old, it began to taper; they began hitting niche markets. By 2006, Whites purchased an average of 8.8 DVDs during the last 6 months of that year; Latinos, 13.1, and Blacks, 12.8. The lesson helped diversify Hollywood. -According to Nielsen, Latino spending power stands at $1.7 trillion; Blacks, $1.2 trillion; Asians, $986 billion. -Thus, all the major studios, starting with Universal & Warner Brothers, have created multicultural divisions.
What time of new film shots came to us?
-Zoom shot: draws our attention -Reverse zoom: away from the main person, drawing up to the larger picture -Reaction shots: character's response to dialogue
All time box office ratings
1.Gone with the Wind (1939) 2.Star Wars (1977) 3.The Sound of Music (1965) 4.E.T. (1982) 5.Titanic (1997) 6.The Ten Commandments (1956) 7.Jaws (1975) 8.Dr. Zhivago (1965) 9.The Exorcist (1973) 10.Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)
What are the highest grossing franchises
1.Marvel's Cinematic Universe 2.Star Wars 3.Harry Potter 4.James Bond 5.The Lord of the Rings 6.Fast and the Furious 7.X-Men 8.Spider-Man 9.Batman 10.Pirates of the Caribbean
2018 Top 10 Films
10. Bohemian Rhapsody (11/2) 9. Antman and the Wasp (7/6) 8. Mission Impossible - Fallout (7/27) 7. Dr. Seuss' The Grinch (11/9) 6. Deadpool 2 (5/18) 5. Aquaman (12/21) 4. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (6/22) 3. Incredibles 2 (6/15) 2. Avengers Infinity War (4/27) 1. Black Panther (2/16)
2017 Top 10 Films
10. Justice League 9. Despicable Me 3 8. Thor: Ragnarok 7. It 6. Spider-Man: Homecoming 5. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 4. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 3. Wonder Woman 2. Beauty and the Beast (2017) 1. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
2016 Top 10 Films
10. Sing (12/21) 9. Suicide Squad (8/5) 8. Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice (3/25) 7. Zootopia (3/4) 6. Deadpool (2/12) 5. The Jungle Book 2016 (4/15) 4. The Secret Life of Pets (7/8) 3. Captain America: Civil War (5/6) 2. Finding Dory (6/17) 1. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (12/16)
2015 Top 10 Films
10. Spectre (11/6) 9. Cinderella - 2015 (3/13) 8. The Martian (10/2) 7. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay-Part 2 (11/20) 6. Minions (7/10) 5. Furious 7 (4/3) 4. Inside Out (6/19) 3. Avengers: Age of Ultron (5/1) 2. Jurassic World (6/12) 1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (12/18)
The top u.s. grossing movies of all time
15. Star Wars (1977) 14. Star Wars Episode I: Phantom Menace (1999) 13. Finding Dory (2016) 12. Beauty and the Beast (2017) 11. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) 10. The Dark Knight (2008) 9. Incredibles 2 (2018) 8. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) 7. Marvel's The Avengers (2012) 6. Jurassic World (2015) 5. Titanic (1997) 4. Avengers: Infinity War (2018) 3. Black Panther (2018) 2. Avatar (2009) 1. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015)
Top Worldwide Grossing Films of All-Time (as of now)
15. The Incredibles 2 (2018) 14. Beauty and the Beast (2017) 13. Frozen (2013) 12. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) 11. Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017) 10. Harry Potter/Deathly Hallows Part 2 (2011) 9. Black Panther (2018) 8. Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015) 7. Furious 7 (2015) 6. Marvel's The Avengers (2012) 5. Jurassic World (2015) 4. Avengers: Infinity War (2018) 3. Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) 2. Titanic (1997) 1. Avatar (2009)
What was Edison's Response to Lumiere Brothers?
=In America, Thomas Arnat had co-created the device similar to the Lumiere's and went to a company who asked Edison to finance and manufacture the device -Edison agreed as long as he could claim it as his own -The Vitascope had its first showing in 1896, it was used to show the 1st U.S. made mass movie "The Kiss" one of the most scandalous films ever
What did the Lumiere Brother's do?
Louis John and Auguste solved the projection problem in 1895 with the Cinematograph, it was less cumbersome and more portable -It combined Edison's camera and made a camera and projector -They patented a number of processes, most notably the sprocket holes in film -Felt there was no future in film; refused to sell invention; turned attention to color photographs
Sequels
Start on page 84
Who created first motion picture camera?
Thomas Edison commissioned William Dickson to create this, it was called the Kinetograph
Box Office Stats
page 97