Cinema
Cinema and filmmaking have shaped a large part of the world we live in today. Movies have drawn billions of people since they first originated. From slow romance, heavy action, comedy, and horror, movies have placed different perspectives in the minds of viewers. Early milestones of film history are often ignored when thinking about how it all began. “The invention of the motion picture camera and projector is attributed to Thomas Edison.” (Janaro & Altshuler, 2011, p. 243) This shows how storied filmmaking is. Thomas Edison (inventor of the light bulb) had an integral part of filmmaking history. It’s incredible to think about the magnitude to which the degree of filmmaking has transformed since then.
Filmmaking and cinema have two basic components. These components being sound and the camera. Without sound, and without the camera, there is no cinema. “Before the introduction of sound in 1927, silent movies had printed cards inserted to indicate necessary dialog or information.” (Janaro & Altshuler, 2011, p. 240) Although we may consider silent films old-fashioned, in reality, remarkable performers developed it into a fine art. Sound can be used to trigger emotion, create suspense, or direct our attention. Now think about a movie without it… crazy right? Cinema has come such a long way and has provided generations with everlasting happiness.
Documentaries are another version of filmmaking and cinema that was among the very earliest of films. It was a film of real events, actual events, with no one seeking to make up a story because it was right in front of them. Documentaries have always caught my eye because I love seeing a visual representation of how real events took place. “Now, however, viewers are more demanding. Simple recorded events are not enough. There must also be a story, or at the very least, some compelling characters: two eccentric socialites who happen to be related to Jackie Kennedy Onassis, living in a cat-filled, rubbish-strewn house on Long Island; Bob Dylan’s first concert tour, as he copes with emerging fame; or even a mumbled off-camera confession, by the millionaire and suspected multiple murdered Robert Durst.” (Janaro & Altshuler, 2011, p. 256) These compelling stories and characters are what draw people into these documentaries more often than not. Although the documentary itself already has an incredible, real storyline, there needs to be more to draw the average viewer in for curiosity. Nowadays, documentaries are done extremely well to where the story is articulated clearly and has enough draw to the viewer, as well as creating a compelling or suspenseful story along with that narrative.
Janaro, R. P., & Altshuler, T. C. (2017). The art of being human: The humanities as a technique for living (11th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
