The 1880s

And so it begins! We are starting this journey with the oldest pieces of film that have survived the over 100 years of existence. Most of them are not about a story rather they are a collection of moving pictures. They are also almost always an experiment in this new technology and these early films are...well...early. Shall we get started? WE SHALL!

First off is the Roundhay Garden Scene. Made in October of 1888 by Louis Le Prince, this is the oldest surviving film. It's 2 seconds long...take a look!

Not much to comment on...they walk. Moving on! Next up is another Louis Le Prince masterpiece (Leeds Bridge...so original). Also produced in October of 1888 this Le Prince guy filmed some traffic going across Leeds Bridge...breathtaking and again it's 2 seconds...ENJOY! 

Honestly I think its pretty cool that these random bits of film are still around and we have the opportunity to see actual footage from that time period...(like my opinion matters HA).

Pressing forward...we've now graduated to almost 10 seconds (at 2 frames per second)! This Accordion Player is by far the lowest quality of Le Prince's work so far and is more of 19 pictures being placed in order than a film...but i'll take it. 

and the 2 second version! 

Now the last film we have on our bill for today is unfortunately a lost film...meaning I can't watch it...BUT I would like to say that it was originally thought to have been the first film ever made (until the first 3 films I talked about were discovered). It was shot in 1889 by William Friese-Greene (an English inventor) annnnnnnnd we somehow lost all 20 feet of his film. How is that even possible? Unless you purposefully burn it or something...jerks. I bet it was the French...they got jealous because an Englishman caught on to their little "motion pictures"! Don't get me wrong I love the French but you know they would do something as silly as destroy a film...amirite?? I'm right. 

Anywho come back on Thursday when I tackle the 1890s where sound is first introduced ("WHAT?!?!"...i know right?) and the films are over a minute long (crazyness I say)!  

Films Watched Today:

1. Roundhay Garden Scene : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roundhay_Garden_Scene 

2. Leeds Bridge : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Le_Prince#Leeds_Bridge_.28LPCCP_Type-1_MkII.29

3. Accordion Player : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Le_Prince#Accordion_Player_.28LPCCP_Type-1_MkII.29 

4. Leisurely Pedestrians, Open Topped Buses and Hansom Cabs with Trotting Horses : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leisurely_Pedestrians,_Open_Topped_Buses_and_Hansom_Cabs_with_Trotting_Horses 

Hello!

Hi there anyone that could possibly be reading this. My name is Alexis and I'm a theatre major (yes thats spelled correctly). "I thought this was a film blog why are you a theatre major?!" you may ask. Well it is a film blog so don't change the channel but I, a lowly theatre technician, am attempting what most film majors don't even want to attempt...I am going to watch every film ever made! I have seen a lot of films and I love watching them (I have a special place in my heart for B-Movies) but I have certainly not seen every film ever made and so I shall attempt to do such! So every Sunday and Thursday I will talk about a film (in chronological order), give a bit of history and be hilarious.

Now don't mistake my love for film for expertise. I have a very limited knowledge about film production and can only speak based on my own opinions. That said I'm going to do my best to make this a fun adventure through the world of cinema. This will be part history, part opinion, part undeniable awesome.

Also the more comments the better but if you have a seen a film I am about to see please don't ruin it. So even if I have seen it...assume I haven't and refrain from spoilers because they suck and we want to rid the world of suck (nerdfighters unite)! We will begin this adventure on this Sunday May 30, 2011 with the oldest surviving film, Roundhay Garden Scene, so come back and enjoy the ride!