The Birth of the Hollywood Film Industry - Essay Example

Class Hollywood Cinema A Historical Change In Exhibition Practices Hollywood: An Introduction: Hollywood is a district in Los Angeles, California, USA. Very often the term “Hollywood is used as a metonym for the American Film and Television Industry, due to its fame, popularity and rich cultural identity. Its wonderful climate and convenient surroundings have attracted a lot of people from around the world and hence it gradually evolved to be the greatest hub of the Film Industry in the world. The name Hollywood was coined by H. J. Whitely, the Father of Hollywood. (Los Angeles Times) who opened the first major hotel in Hollywood called “Hollywood Hotel” in 1902. Many of the famous theatres in Hollywood are used as venues for great concerts and major premiere theatrical releases. It is a popular destination for both tourism and night life and also has the famous and most talked about “Walk of fame.” One of the highlights of Hollywood is the Academy Awards that it conducts with all the Glitz and Glamour of the Film Industry making their presence felt. As the saying goes “Rome was not built in a day”, Hollywood too, has developed slowly over time and after seeing many changes. The Birth of the Hollywood Film Industry: In the year 1910, the Biograph Company sent director D. W. Griffith with his troupe to the West Coast to shoot a film. They started shooting in a vacant lot in Downtown Los Angeles but soon started exploring other places near by and suddenly came upon the little village Hollywood. They loved the place and so Griffith shot the first ever Hollywood movie called, “In Old California”. It was a Melodrama that dealt with the Latino – Mexican occupation of California in the 1800’s. Around the year 1913, many movie people heard of this wonderful place and so headed west. By 1914, the first feature film was shot in Hollywood called “The Squaw Man”. With this film, there was no looking back and thus the Hollywood movie industry was born and awhile later came to be known as the movie capital of the world. By the1920’s, the U.S. reached it peak which is still its era of greatest-ever output, producing an average of 800 feature films annually [1], or 82% of the global total (Eyman, 1997). A few examples would be Charlie Chaplin, the swashbuckling adventures of Douglas Fairbanks and the sweet romances of Clara Bow. Hollywood Film Industry in Modern Times: The Film Industry is composed of both the technological as well as the commercial aspects of film making which includes film production and their companies, film studios, screen writing, cinematography, pre- production and post production, the whole film unit personnel, film exhibitions and distribution. Since movie making was a very expensive feature, only few movies had the opportunity to make it to the screen when movie making just started in Hollywood. As time went by, movie makers slowly developed opportunities for better scope in the film industry. At present modern movie making has become a boon to enthusiastic film makers expanding their opportunities to acquire investment capital from outside the film industry allowing independent production houses to evolve. Today the Film Industry spans the globe with the major centers for film making being the United States, Europe, India, and China. Hollywood is the primary nexus of the film industry in the United States with big companies like Walt Disney Company, Hollywood Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Miramax Films and Pixar Animation Studios having their head quarters in Southern California. The fulcrum on which the Hollywood Glitz and Glamour World balances on is Networking. Talented artists scour the place but have slim chances of showcasing their talents. At this juncture, Networking seems a promising tool used to provide a platform from which an artist can be launched. Networking builds strong bridges of relationships between cultures hardly heard of in the early years of film making. The largest film industry in the world is India, in terms of the largest ticket sales, as it is multi-lingual, with around 1200 movies made in the year 2002. The second largest being Hollywood followed closely on its heels by China. Development in production: Genre and Hollywood: “Genre” and “Hollywood” are two terms that compliment each other and have become part and parcel of our day – to – day language in relation to our speaking and dealing with main stream cinema. Genre forms a pivotal yet centrifugal point in academic film education, especially when it deals with cultural studies which are an important aspect in the making of Hollywood movies dealing with cross cultures. Therefore Genre plays an important role in portraying how Hollywood film production is financed and organized .Hollywood production has changed drastically since the 1970’s, the period of transition classically termed as “Old” Hollywood to “New” Holly wood. (Robert Briggs, London, 2002). Popular genre seems to be inextricably bound to the idea of mass production because it tends to adopt a more industrial view where “genre” is used to describe the “formula” with which certain films in Hollywood are made. Modern formulas for film making have met with a resounding success all over the world. Change in Trends and Forms in Hollywood: The cinematic trends and forms used in Holly wood production have changed from the traditional genres of the Western or gangster movie or the Musical or Romantic Comedy, or even the Horror or Combat film to the contemporary and less delineated forms of a Modern Blockbuster, Children or Women’s films, Shakespearean Cinema. This sea of changed has been influenced and brought about by factors such as the increasing influence of Black popular culture, cinematic adaptations, movie ratings and the effects of economic globalization on studio production. A remarkable analysis conducted by Sandler gives us a view of Hollywood cinema as an industrial product that leads to innovative observations. It is therefore not unusual to hear someone speak of Hollywood films as “crass commercialization” or “sanitized” for a mainstream audience. Music and Dance in Hollywood: During the silent era, there was a great struggle undertaken by different groups of people to bring sound to the screen. For both sound recording and playback singing a lot of experimentation was done in the sound film technology “but the twin problems of accurate synchronization and sufficient amplification had been difficult to overcome” (Eyman, 1997). In 1926, Warner Bros. introduced what is called a “Vitaphone” which was used to add sound effects to the film, thus making it more lively and entertaining. In 1927, the Warner Brothers came out with a movie called “The Jazz Singer” which included the first synchronized dialogue and singing in a feature film. As against the ancient era, the Modern era with all its scientific and technological development has made movie making a dream for film makers today. The rapid increase in innovation has kindled the curiosity in a way never thought of or known before. In his account Telotte uses his “structural principle thereby giving us insightful reading of certain outstanding films such as “Saturday Night Fever” (John Badham, 1977) and Footloose (Herbet Ross, 1984). Both of these films, Telotte argues, “clearly signal the continuing attraction which song and dance hold for us, and, with their industrial extensions in the recording industry, their soundtrack albums, they clearly provide a measure of the power of their music”. Yet they “also underscore the fact that the function of music and dancing has radically changed, in the film narratives as in the larger culture”. (Telotte, p.60) Political economy involving different cultural forms around the world has been partially influenced or conditioned by an economic and industrial system which operates with a primary objective to increase the power and wealth of people who already have too much of it. (Robert Briggs, “Senses of Cinema”, October, 2003) Recent Technological Development: Due to the early installation of Access IT, Roll out has been rapidly accelerating in the US. Commercial d- cinema screens have grown in number all over the world with a 253% increase in one year – from 848 to 2996 by the end of 2006. (Screen Digest, Digital Cinema up and running, April 2007) This rate of change has been brought about by an industrial- scale roll out in the US by Access IT. We have crossed seven years after the launch of digital cinema and the market has been slowly but steadily gaining momentum ever since. Though there is a major growth of digital screens happening in Europe, still Asia stands first in relation to its share of digital screens. (Screen Digest, Digital Cinema up and running, April 2007) Hollywood and Film Exhibitions: In the ancient days of movie making, high –tech equipment was unheard of and they had to make do with what was available. Therefore the very idea of exhibitions did not cross their minds, since they were totally occupied with the production of the movie which was extremely difficult considering lack of equipment and other facilities. With the arrival of narratives the popularity of the moving pictures increased but was still sold in a very inefficient manner. Film makers really wanted to exhibit their films and had to rely on it being bought outright from the manufacturer or they had to hire an expensive exhibition company that consisted of a projector and projectionist. Since they were both expensive options, it was highly unlikely to recommend exhibitions as profitable endeavor. In 1903, the situation brightened as another option was found. Instead of buying a film directly from a manufacturer, they could hire or rent films from a local film exchange for a very reasonable price. By 1907, little theatres called Nickelodeons were set up which grossed millions. Nickelodeons were often run as family businesses. (Expansion Stardom and uplift, 1908 – 1916) As time passed by people came out with better innovative ideas like having more theatres for independent screening of their movies. More and more companies sprouted all over the place acting as middlemen and helping exhibitions flourish. Today, exhibitions are carried out on a high level because big stakes are involved. Exhibitions of Movies at Hollywood, is by all standards, something to look forward to, or take part in. Some of the most spectacular films, some of which become masterpieces are screened to different people. Some of them are exclusively conducted only for the people involved in the making, but mostly it involves general public. Exhibitions are conducted not only to get valuable feedback about the film but it also serves as a platform for taking the film to the next level through advertising and coming in contact with other film personnel. Depending on the number of films to be shown or screened, the festival could take place either at the weekend, or it could last for maybe a week. Strict time schedules are adhered to and so the screening starts right on time with breaks in between not only to serve as a respite but also allowing vendors to hawk their wares. In other words they try to impress buyers, distributors or anyone interested to buy their films. Venture capital firms have shown a wave of interest by gaining ownership of prime exhibition chains with a vision of streamlining the existing scenario. Some exhibitions go under the umbrella of a single theme. For example, Horror Films which only deal with films dealing with horror and the weird. Every year, H.P Lovecraft Film Festival conducts an exhibition or festival only dealing with horror or other weird stories. (H.P Lovecraft Film Festival, Copyright 1995-2007 by Lurker Films Inc.) Other themes used at exhibitions are – International Films Independent Films Animation Films Kids Films Documentary Films World Films Short Films Digital Films and Music Video Films (Hollywood Film Festival, ®October 17-22, 2007) At other times, exhibitions are conducted on a general basis allowing any film to be shown. So vendors needing a screening for their films would first of all put in an application for the same. Every entrant has to follow the rules to be followed at the exhibition. For example the poster for submission has to adhere to the exact specifications asked for. The specifications of the format in which the DVD has to be submitted. Every participant is registered and given a registration number which he has to use if the need arises. At the end of every festival, the winners of the best films are notified of the same. Film History focuses on the innovative and historical development in the Film Industry which includes the technological, social, cultural and economic aspects of film making. It also includes other aspects of production, distribution, exhibition and reception of commercial as well as non- commercial cinema. In the field of film studies, though “film exhibitions” or “film festivals” are a neglected area, it is still undergoing and experiencing significant growth as a research subject over the last two decades. (The Film Reader, Routledge Press, 2002) Ina Rae Hark and Stephen Cohen co-editors of Routledge's new In Focus Film Reader series conceptualize and focus on three aspects of exhibition. (In Focus Film Reader, Routledge, page no: - 178) The Theatres – their architecture, audience, and their location. 1. The business of exhibition – the operation of theatres for profit from the 1920’s to the 1980’s. 2. “The meanings of the exhibition site” as termed by Hark. This refers to the significance and impact of screening places on its audience. 3. Hark emphasizes the importance of “variable exhibition practices in different locales and over time”. (Hark, The Film reader, 2002) Film Conferences in Hollywood: Film conferences serve as a launch pad for any creative person with a good story or innovative idea. Such people who attend these conferences are allowed to pitch their story or idea directly to interested people on a one on one basis. This intensive networking is carried out for two days and is very important and useful to directors, screenplay writers, other writers and film makers. Anyone who has a decent story can directly pitch it to Hollywood buyers without the use of an agent. Hollywood Film Awards: The Hollywood Awards attract the biggest stars and industry insiders in Tinsel town year after year ... and the Hollywood Festival has become a pre-Oscar® showcase"– Los Angeles Times. True to its words, the Awards Night is one huge breathtaking and Gala Night filled with the Glitz and Glamour of the biggest stars in Hollywood. These Awards are given in order to honor excellence in the art of film making which includes creative talent using a Global perspective. The Hollywood Awards Gala takes place at the prestigious Beverly Hilton Hotel. Awards are given for each and every aspect of film making such as Best Motion Picture, Best Director, Best Composer, Best Actor and Actress, Best Cameraman and many other interesting categories. Besides Film and Movie Awards given at the Hollywood festival, are Hollywood World Awards, Hollywood Breakthrough Awards, Hollywood Discovery Awards and Hollywood Star Awards. These Awards hold great significance for the outstanding work done by each and every person receiving the award. For the Hollywood Movie of the Year Award, the Hollywood Film Festival Selection Committee chooses and nominates the 10 best films of the year. There is an online voting by the public who chooses the winners by casting their votes. The Hollywood World Awards has a Blue Ribbon Selection Committee who selects the best film out of the 10 that are nominated. This Award is especially gratifying to film makers around the world. Besides the Hollywood Film festival, other festivals like the Cannes festival, the Woodstock Film festival, the Sundance Film Festival, the Wisconsin Film festival, the Ann Arbor Film Festival and many other independent film festivals are conducted every year to honor great people who have contributed to the world of cinema. Copyright rules for Public Showing/ Exhibitions: Before any film is screened, it has to go through the tedious job of filling in applications and following the rules laid down by the Copyright Act. Exhibitors who fail in any way to conform to its rules are not given a chance to screen their movies. Movies that are made only for home showing are not eligible for public screening. Movie makers interested to have a screening of their movies have to strictly follow the rules and regulations as specified in the Copyright Act. Exhibitions that include entertainment movies to people outside the privacy of a home are called public showings. The Public Performance Site License does not allow movies to be screened if admission is charged. It also does not permit advertisement of movie titles to the general public. (Movie Licensing, USA, Copyrighted, 2006) References: Bernstein, Matthew Exhibition, The Film Reader (review) The Moving Image - Volume 3, Number 1, Spring 2003, pp. 178-181 University of Minnesota Press The Moving Image 3.1 (2003) 178-181 The Hollywood Film Festival, Hollywood Festival and Hollywood Awards. www.hollywoodfestival.com Movie Licensing, USA www.movlic.com/library/faq/faq.html Screen Digest Screen Digest, Head Office, Lymehouse Studios, 30/31 Lyme Street, London, NW1 0EE, Switchboard, +44 (0)20 7424 2820 www.screendigest.com/reports/mini/2006/global_cinema_exhibition_trends/06-10-yp/view.html Senses of Cinema A Review of “Genre and Contemporary Hollywood” (edited by Steve Neale, British Film Institute, London, 2002) by Robert Briggs www.sensesofcinema.com/contents/.../genre_and_contemporary_hollywood.html Women Film makers in Early Hollywood By Karen Ward Mahar - History - 2006 - 336 pages Book/ Film Exhibitions Read More