Movieorca
Movies are a powerful way of storytelling that combines the use of visuals, sound, acting, and emotions to entertain, educate, and inspire people worldwide. Cinema is often called the “seventh ”art. From the black and white silent movies of the 1900s to the current vibrant, graphical, and blockbuster movies generated by computers of the current era. From Hollywood to Bollywood, and from anime to documentaries, cinema reflects cultures, ideas, and social changes. It brings people together and offers both insights and escape. Today, movie platforms and digital knowledge have made cinema more accessible, helping it to grow and produce influential stories in modern society. Let us know more.
The Birth of Cinema
The start of cinema and the making of films started greatly during the 19th Century. The Lumière brothers held the first public screening in France in 1895. Their short, silent, and calm films brought to us the everyday scenes, like workers leaving a factory or a train arriving at a station, or people doing household chores. Around the same period, Thomas Edison also developed devices for viewing moving images in the United States. Thomas Edison also invented the “Kinetoscope,” which contributed to cinema’s birth. Though easily understandable and simple, these films amazed and fascinated audiences and marked the onset of a new era in the entertainment sector.
The Silent Era (1895–1927)
Silent films were the basis of cinema during the period from the late 19th century to the late 1920s. This time is also known as the silent era (the first era of cinema development). The rise of great directors like Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, and D.W. Griffith was also greatly involved in the silent era. At the same time, Hollywood emerged as the global centre of filmmaking. By the 1920s, Hollywood studios had begun producing large-scale films that attracted audiences worldwide. At the same time, other countries like Germany, Russia, and Japan had also started developing strong national cinema traditions.
The Introduction of Sound (1927–1939)
Sound in movies was introduced between 1927 – 1939. The development was malevolent. The Jazz Singer (1927) was the first world-famous movie with synchronized dialogue, which marked the start of the “talkies era” or the use of sound in movies. This development transformed movies, which allowed for spoken dialogue, sound effects, musical effects, and 3D effects, which made expressing moments, feelings, and storytelling clearer, more realistic, and more efficient. Filmmakers adapted this development quickly. The new era brought popular genres like musicals and dramas to life. Despite technical changes and challenges, the sound revolutionized cinema, thus making it more immersive, setting the foundation for the cinema industry’s growth.
World War II and Its Impact (1939–1945)
World War II deeply affected the cinema industry. During World War II, the entertainment industry also changed to help the nation with the war. Many countries used films as propaganda to support the war effort and their country. The national government mostly controlled the entertainment industry during that period. In Europe, the war had destroyed many film industries, but simultaneously it led to the rise of powerful film movements in the years after the war. Moreover, the style focused on the real-life struggles of ordinary people and the war’s impact on the people for the next few years.
The Golden Age of International Cinema (1910-1960)
The golden age of International Cinema/Hollywood was a time of great technological invention, the emergence of creative ideas, satisfactory camera tools, and the birth of cinematic legends! The films produced in this period were not only helpful in shaping the course of the film industry, but they also captured the spirit. The production of some of the most iconic and mesmerizing films in cinema history started in the golden age of cinema. Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror (1922), Sunrise (1927), The African Queen (1951), etc, are some of the examples based on Google and research.
The Rise of Blockbusters and Globalization (1970s–1990s)
The phase Blockbuster was introduced in the cinema during the 1970s. Movies like Jaws (1975) – Directed by Steven Spielberg, The Exorcist (1973) – A horror movie, Superman (1978) – The first major superhero blockbuster movie created the idea of huge budgets and tremendous income, wide, massive marketing, and film promotion. These movies were a means of trend-setting. These films earned millions and changed the way movies were made in an inspiring manner. At the same time, technological advancements, editing skills, and green screens made both acting and movies exciting. Cinema also became global due to TV, movie tapes, and CD tapes, etc.
The Digital Revolution and Modern Cinema (2000–Present)
The 21st century has brought immense changes in the field of cinema through the advancements of digital technologies. Filmmaking has now become more affordable and accessible. Nowadays, streaming online platforms like Amazon, Netflix, and Disney have changed people’s way of watching movies. Now audiences can watch movies from across the world in any language from their comfort places, and at their own time. This act led to the rise of international and famous cinema hits like Parasite (South Korea), Roma (Mexico), and RRR (India). Modern cinema is also more open and diverse, with stories focusing on various cultures, genders, social issues, and futuristic situations. Today’s films are not only entertainment but also inspire us by addressing important topics like climate change, health, equality, and more.
Challenges of Future Cinema
The future of cinema faces challenges related to :-
Shifting Audience Habits and Consumption
Technological advancements and applications,
Piracy and Intellectual Property,
Financial and budget constraints
Despite the progress in cinema, the industry still faces many challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic has also forced many theatres to completely shut down and shift to online (OTT)platforms. Indeed, this was the time when the usage of OTT platforms was the highest. However, the cinema continues to adapt and better its performance. Virtual reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI) are the evolution/change used to represent interactive storytelling in the entertainment industry. As long as there is a story to tell, audiences to listen and people to express, the cinema will continue to evolve and thrive.
By: Swara Suhas Hole
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