Storytelling has been around since the dawn of humans. Defined storytelling means “the activity of telling or writing stories.” As a form of expression and a way to bring other humans into the world of an individual’s consciousness. As such, the tools someone chooses to tell this story leave room for innovators to be creative. Hence the birth of motion pictures, also known as movies, was born. The film gives the audience depth and sensory realism in the form of frames. These frames attached to other structures give us a sequence, and with that, a new way of storytelling was created. Initially invented in Lyon, France, Auguste, and Louis Lumière invented the cinématographe. The “lightweight film projector also functioned as a camera and printer.” (Understanding Media and Culture). The camera’s attributes gave the ability to capture outdoor filming and travel more efficiently. Patenting their invention, Louis Lumière lacks hope in their vision, but the demand for this new entertainment form proliferated. Around the world, information about their invention soar and a new era of feature films follow suit.

   After the rush of silent film, moviegoers became excited by the thrill of the creation of movies. Before sound, silent cinema was mostly animated actors, orchestra, and sub cards, which helped the audience follow the story. Director and filmmaker D.W. Griffth grew in reputation during this era to learn a new technique of storytelling. Practicing parallel editing, he learned how simultaneously illuminated illusion and emotions. This was great as it heightens viewers’ scenes to drama, thrillers, or actions. Many other filmmakers learned the technique in editing that added value to the motion picture through silent film. Also, Griffth used his newly discovered technic to captivate his audience in his controversial film “The Birth of a Nation,” which spoke on political differences in society.

   Nonetheless, places like the United States wanted a piece of this pie. Realizing the massive spike of theater attendance and the power films had to motivate a nation, Hollywood became focused on creating their entertainment industry. “Control of the movie industry was exercised by the so-called Big  Eight studios, whose filmmaking factories in Hollywood fed their nationwide distribution operations.  The most powerful of these firms were the fully integrated Big  Five  studios– MGM, Warner Bros., 20th Century Fox, Paramount, and RKO – which not only produced and  distributed  films but  operated  their theater chains  as  well.” (The Studio System and Conglomerate Hollywood). Independent studios worldwide began to owns rights to writers, directors, actors, release, distribution, and viewing. United States transformation into their own powerhouse in the entertainment industry attributed to its “Golden Age” in cinema, which occurred in the late 1930s and early 1940s. In parallel, during this time, World War II was occurring, movies became a form of escapism, while also illuminate a new wave of people anti-war. Nonetheless movie industry increased in revenue which also increased U.S. economy. 

My Question to the reader: Explain how your favorite movie made you feel while watching?