EL NACIMIENTO DEL CINE | Historia del Cine

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The beginning of the history of cinema, exploring its origins and the transition from silent films to the introduction of sound.

Prehistoric Animation and Early Innovations

• Cave paintings in Altamira, Spain, depict early attempts at capturing movement through illustrations.

• Various ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans showed interest in portraying motion through sequential drawings.

• Asian shadow plays and the invention of the magic lantern in the 17th century contributed to early forms of visual storytelling.

Technological Advancements Leading to Cinema

• The 19th century saw significant technological progress due to the Industrial Revolution, impacting Europe with innovations like electricity and steam locomotives.

• Photography emerged as a crucial invention by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce in 1816 with the creation of the camera obscura, further developed by Louis Daguerre into the daguerreotype in 1839.

The Birth of Cinematography

Key figures and inventions that laid the foundation for modern cinematography.

Persistence Retina Theory and Optical Illusions

• Peter Mark Roget's persistence retinal theory (1824) explained how images linger on our retina briefly, influencing our perception of continuous motion.

• Joseph-Antoine Ferdinand Plateau's discovery that humans perceive around 10 images per second led to optical illusions like thaumatropes for creating apparent motion effects.

Edison's Contribution to Film Technology

• Thomas Edison's collaboration with William Laurie Dickson resulted in inventing the kinetoscope (1891), a precursor to modern film projectors but lacked sound recording capabilities.

The Lumière Brothers' Cinematograph

The Lumière brothers' pivotal role in advancing cinematography with their innovative device.

Lumière Brothers' Cinematograph

• Louis and Auguste Lumière revolutionized cinema with their simpler projector-camera device called cinematograph (1895), capable of projecting moving images at 16 frames per second.

The Birth of Cinema and Georges Méliès

This section discusses the birth of cinema on December 28, 1895, with the Lumière brothers' first public film screening. It also delves into the pivotal role of Georges Méliès in advancing filmmaking through his innovative techniques and contributions to the fantasy genre.

Lumière Brothers and the Birth of Cinema

• The Lumière brothers' public film screening on December 28, 1895, marked the birth of cinema as it showcased moving images that captivated audiences.

• Their short films depicted everyday life scenes but came alive on screen, captivating viewers with a sense of realism and motion.

• The Lumière brothers unintentionally laid the groundwork for various cinematic resources, ideas, and genres through their early films capturing daily life moments.

• Notably, their film depicting workers leaving the Lumière factory hinted at the emergence of documentary filmmaking by portraying societal roles and activities.

Georges Méliès: Pioneer in Film Innovation

• Georges Méliès, born in 1861, transitioned from a family business background to becoming a prominent figure in cinema due to his passion for art and theater.

• Denied access to a cinematograph by the Lumière brothers due to profitability concerns, Méliès acquired a quinetoscope from Robert Paul to start his filmmaking journey.

• Méliès stumbled upon key cinematic techniques like special effects and editing during an accidental camera malfunction while filming at Opera Square, leading to groundbreaking discoveries in filmmaking.

Georges Méliès: Master of Cinematic Illusion

This section explores Georges Méliès' pioneering work in utilizing special effects and innovative storytelling techniques that revolutionized early cinema.

Innovations by Georges Méliès

• Inspired by his background as a magician, Méliès introduced magical elements into his films using tricks like fade-ins/outs and superimpositions to create fantastical narratives.

• Through meticulous attention to detail in set design, costumes, and narrative coherence, Méliès elevated filmmaking beyond mere spectacle into immersive storytelling experiences.

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This section delves into the early pioneers of cinema, highlighting Georges Méliès and his contributions to the film industry.

The Impact of World War I on Georges Méliès

• Georges Méliès faced financial ruin due to the onset of World War I in 1914.

• Despite creating around 500 short films, only a tenth of them have been preserved.

• Following the war, he was forgotten by both his parents and the public, leading him to work at a toy store in Montparnasse station.

Rediscovery and Recognition

• In 1925, Georges Méliès was rediscovered after being retired and neglected.

• He spent his final days enjoying the recognition and respect he deserved for his pioneering work in cinema.

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This part discusses other significant figures in early cinema besides Georges Méliès, focusing on the Lumière brothers and Charles Pathé.

Lumière Brothers' Contribution

• The Lumière brothers played a crucial role in advancing cinema alongside Méliès.

• They were honored for their work during the centenary celebrations of cinema in 1995 with "Lumière y compañía."

Charles Pathé's Innovations

• Charles Pathé was a pioneer in attempting to synchronize image and sound using a combination of phonograph and cinematograph.

• Despite initial challenges, Pathé continued his involvement in film production and distribution, establishing an iconic company bearing his name.

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This segment explores Ferdinand Zecca's collaboration with Charles Pathé and Leon Gaumont's transition from projector sales to film production.

Ferdinand Zecca's Role

• Ferdinand Zecca collaborated with Charles Pathé artistically before shifting to commercial activities within Pathé's domain.

• Zecca contributed significantly to innovations such as filming with closer shot sizes.

Leon Gaumont's Journey

• Leon Gaumont initially worked as a projector salesman but later became a prominent figure globally through film production.

• Alice Guy, Gaumont's personal secretary, holds the distinction of being the first person to direct a narrative film with "El hada de los coles" in 1896.

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This section highlights key developments by various pioneers like Edwin Porter from different countries that shaped early cinema.

Contributions Beyond France

• In Britain, the Brighton school experimented with revolutionary techniques such as montage alongside Méliès.

• Edwin Porter from America introduced groundbreaking elements like parallel editing and medium close-up shots in films like "Asalto y robo de un tren" (1903).

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Explores how early filmmakers refined cinematic techniques such as montage and multiple angles shooting pioneered by Brighton school members.

Evolution of Filmmaking Techniques

• The Brighton school innovated montage techniques concurrently with Georges Méliès.

• They were among the first to shoot scenes from various angles, enhancing storytelling possibilities through visual perspectives.

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Discusses how advancements made by Edison, Lumière brothers, and Méliès laid foundations for modern filmmaking practices.

Foundational Contributions

• Edison initiated significant progress towards motion picture technology.

• Lumière brothers further developed these innovations while George Méliès explored diverse creative possibilities within filmmaking.

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Reflects on how early cinematic endeavors paved the way for contemporary filmmaking practices seen today through restoration efforts.

Legacy Preservation Efforts

• Restoration initiatives ensure that primitive films are accessible online for viewing today.

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Chronicles tributes paid to early cinema pioneers like Lumière brothers through special projects led by renowned filmmakers like Martin Scorsese.

Tributes to Pioneers

• In commemoration of cinema’s centenary in 1995, directors honored Lumière brothers through unique projects like "Lumière y compañía."