film style & technology to 1930 technology, style & standardization
TRANSCRIPT
FILM STYLE & TECHNOLOGY
TO 1930TECHNOLOGY, STYLE &
STANDARDIZATION
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE & THE MODE OF
PRODUCTION Technological change explained by 1
or more of 3 basic causes PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY
Cut costs, make results predictable, solve particular problems
PRODUCT DIFFERENTIATION Differentiate a studio’s films (within limits)
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE & THE MODE OF
PRODUCTION ADHERENCE TO STANDARDS OF QUALITY
Increased the quality of the product Fit conception of quality embraced by CHC
Better (clearer) storytelling Greater realism of the mise-en-scène Enhanced spectacle
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE & THE MODE OF
PRODUCTION Could complement & collide with 1
another Any change would result in change in
other areas also
FILM TECHNOLOGY & THE CLASSICAL STYLE
4 aspects of change DIRECTION
Trend or trended change Stylistic change occurs within a set of set of
possibilities Style trends toward or away from certain
options for many reasons
FILM TECHNOLOGY & THE CLASSICAL STYLE
FUNCTION Innovation considered an option if it fulfills
the same function as an already-accepted option
More acceptable if it fulfills additional functions (easier to use, saves money, increases verisimilitude, etc.)
FILM TECHNOLOGY & THE CLASSICAL STYLE
TIMING Technology not used until capitalism needs it Innovations may be available, but not used
until there is a perceived need CAUSATION
Typically, explanations rely on artist & inventor; artist needs something, inventor invents it
More useful to look at H’wood institutions (companies, trade groups, etc.)
FILM TECHNOLOGY & THE CLASSICAL STYLE
TECHNOLOGY & H’WOOD INSTITUTIONS Studios reluctant to devote $ to “R &D” Preferred to rely on trade organizations:
THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS THE SOCIETY OF MOTION PICTURE ENGINEERS THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS & SCIENCES
Spread common ideas about “good” filmmaking, production problems, acceptable options, etc.
Suppliers looked to them for ideas about what was needed, what solutions were acceptable, etc.
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY
STANDARDIZING CAMERAS CRITERIA FOR ADOPTING CAMERA
TECHNOLOGY QUALITY: ability to create a clear, steady
image; controllability EFFICIENCY: durability, ease of handling NOVELTY: versatility (special effects, etc.)
Development slow due to patent control by the Trust
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY
After legal decision 1912, 4 types of cameras popular in Hollywood:
Bell & Howell Steady registration Easily controllable, esp. in focusing
Akeley Used in such situations as aerial
photography Held only 200 feet of film & image not as
steady as the B&H
Bell & Howell
Bell & Howell
Akeley
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY
Mitchell Faster focusing system, & built-in matte
holders Inferior registration
Eyemo Spring-driven motor, small; could be put in
unusual places Held only 100 feet of film & could use a
limited range of lenses
Mitchell
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY
STANDARDIZING LIGHTING EQUIPMENT
CRITERIA FOR ADOPTING LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY
QUALITY: clear, steady image; controllability
EFFICIENCY: durability; ease of handling; efficiency (in use of energy)
NOVELTY: versatility (special effects, etc.)
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY
DIFFUSED SUNLIGHT Sunlight was later diffused by muslin to
make it more even & controllable
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY
DIFFUSED SUNLIGHT Sunlight diffused by muslin to make it more
even & controllable MERCURY-VAPOR LAMPS
Most efficient type Least directional, useless for motivated
lighting
MERCURY-VAPOR LAMP
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY
ARC LAMPS Good directional lighting Difficult to handle
INCANDESCENT LIGHTS Easiest to handle Inefficient & low in actinicity (less of the
light registered an image on film) All 3 came to be used together
simultaneously
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF
THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY EDITING
Most important innovation was the WORKPRINT
Positive print used in initial editing, instead of original negative
LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY Hand development was replaced by
machine development More efficient, but decreased control
FILM STYLE & TECHNOLOGY
TO 1930TECHNOLOGY, STYLE &
STANDARDIZATION
ORTHOCHROMATIC FILM STOCK (ORTHO)
DISADVANTAGES Insensitive to yellow & red
Blonde hair looked dark, leading to rim lighting Red make-up showed up as deep black
Blue photographed as white Clouds did not show up Blue eyes looked white
Directors & cinematographers used blue filters or glasses to see mise-en-scène
ORTHOCHROMATIC TO PANCHROMATIC STOCK
ORTHOCHROMATIC TO PANCHROMATIC STOCK
PANCHROMATIC FILM STOCK (PANCHRO)
Came in 1913 due to experimentation with color cinematography
DISADVANTAGES More expensive than ortho Slower (needed more light) Physically unstable
ADVANTAGE Sensitive to entire color spectrum
ORTHOCHROMATIC TO PANCHROMATIC STOCK
In 1920s, speed of panchro increased Became a regular Eastman Kodak product in 1923 In 1925, Eastman Kodak:
Lowered the cost of panchro Increased the speed Improved its durability Actively promoted it
Studios then willing to use it instead of chromo because: Easier to use with the mise-en-scène Saved money on lighting (worked better with inkies)
By 1928, panchro used in 85% of all shots
By mid-20s, filmmakers adopted soft style of cinematography
Experimentation began in mid-teens in an attempt to imitate still photography
Seen as a way to separate character from background
Appealed to the aesthetic of pictorial beauty popular among cinematographers Many of them had begun as still photographers They sought to associate films with art
THE SOFT STYLE OF CINEMATOGRAPHY
THE SOFT STYLE OF CINEMATOGRAPHY
Films used “normal” photography with selected close shots in the soft style
By mid-20s, soft shots for glamour purposes very common; many stars insisted upon it
Presented a problem for continuity: Often a clash between hard & soft shots Considered a price worth paying for added product
differentiation of pictorial beauty, star glamour & promotion
Later, efforts made to minimize the clash
THE MAZDA TESTS 1928, H’wood conducted “Mazda tests” Promoted use of incandescent lights
(“Mazdas”) Established panchro & inkies for 30+ years Promoted soft style These tests also:
Cemented link between H’wood & manufacturers; professional organizations became formal liaisons
Provided model of cooperation among studios & manufacturers used in diffusion of sound technology
MAZDA LAMP
MAZDA LAMP