FILM STYLE &
TECHNOLOGY
TO 1930
TECHNOLOGY, STYLE &
STANDARDIZATION
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE &
THE MODE OF PRODUCTION

Technological change explained by 1 or
more of 3 basic causes

PRODUCTION EFFICIENCY


Cut costs, make results predictable, solve
particular problems
PRODUCT DIFFERENTIATION

Differentiate a studio’s films (within limits)
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE &
THE MODE OF PRODUCTION

ADHERENCE TO STANDARDS OF QUALITY


Increased the quality of the product
Fit conception of quality embraced by CHC
 Better (clearer) storytelling
 Greater realism of the mise-en-scène
 Enhanced spectacle
TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE &
THE MODE OF PRODUCTION


Could complement & collide with 1
another
Any change would result in change in
other areas also
FILM TECHNOLOGY & THE
CLASSICAL STYLE

4 aspects of change

DIRECTION



Trend or trended change
Stylistic change occurs within a set of set of
possibilities
Style trends toward or away from certain options
for many reasons
FILM TECHNOLOGY & THE
CLASSICAL STYLE

FUNCTION


Innovation considered an option if it fulfills the
same function as an already-accepted option
More acceptable if it fulfills additional functions
(easier to use, saves money, increases
verisimilitude, etc.)
FILM TECHNOLOGY & THE
CLASSICAL STYLE

TIMING



Technology not used until capitalism needs it
Innovations may be available, but not used until
there is a perceived need
CAUSATION


Typically, explanations rely on artist & inventor;
artist needs something, inventor invents it
More useful to look at H’wood institutions
(companies, trade groups, etc.)
FILM TECHNOLOGY & THE
CLASSICAL STYLE

TECHNOLOGY & H’WOOD INSTITUTIONS


Studios reluctant to devote $ to “R &D”
Preferred to rely on trade organizations:





THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF CINEMATOGRAPHERS
THE SOCIETY OF MOTION PICTURE ENGINEERS
THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS & SCIENCES
Spread common ideas about “good” filmmaking,
production problems, acceptable options, etc.
Suppliers looked to them for ideas about what was
needed, what solutions were acceptable, etc.
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF
THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY
STANDARDIZING CAMERAS


CRITERIA FOR ADOPTING CAMERA
TECHNOLOGY




QUALITY: ability to create a clear, steady
image; controllability
EFFICIENCY: durability, ease of handling
NOVELTY: versatility (special effects, etc.)
Development slow due to patent control by
the Trust
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF
THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY
After legal decision 1912, 4 types of
cameras popular in Hollywood:


Bell & Howell



Steady registration
Easily controllable, esp. in focusing
Akeley


Used in such situations as aerial photography
Held only 200 feet of film & image not as
steady as the B&H
Bell & Howell
Bell & Howell
Akeley
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF
THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY

Mitchell



Faster focusing system, & built-in matte
holders
Inferior registration
Eyemo


Spring-driven motor, small; could be put in
unusual places
Held only 100 feet of film & could use a limited
range of lenses
Mitchell
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF
THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY
STANDARDIZING LIGHTING EQUIPMENT


CRITERIA FOR ADOPTING LIGHTING
TECHNOLOGY



QUALITY: clear, steady image; controllability
EFFICIENCY: durability; ease of handling;
efficiency (in use of energy)
NOVELTY: versatility (special effects, etc.)
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF
THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY

DIFFUSED SUNLIGHT

Sunlight was later diffused by muslin to make it
more even & controllable
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF
THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY

DIFFUSED SUNLIGHT


Sunlight diffused by muslin to make it more even
& controllable
MERCURY-VAPOR LAMPS


Most efficient type
Least directional, useless for motivated lighting
MERCURY-VAPOR LAMP
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF
THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY

ARC LAMPS



INCANDESCENT LIGHTS



Good directional lighting
Difficult to handle
Easiest to handle
Inefficient & low in actinicity (less of the light
registered an image on film)
All 3 came to be used together simultaneously
INITIAL STANDARDIZATION OF
THE BASIC TECHNOLOGY

EDITING



Most important innovation was the WORKPRINT
Positive print used in initial editing, instead of
original negative
LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY


Hand development was replaced by machine
development
More efficient, but decreased control
FILM STYLE &
TECHNOLOGY
TO 1930
TECHNOLOGY, STYLE &
STANDARDIZATION
ORTHOCHROMATIC TO
PANCHROMATIC STOCK
ORTHOCHROMATIC FILM STOCK (ORTHO)


DISADVANTAGES

Insensitive to yellow & red



Blue photographed as white



Blonde hair looked dark, leading to rim lighting
Red make-up showed up as deep black
Clouds did not show up
Blue eyes looked white
Directors & cinematographers used blue filters
or glasses to see mise-en-scène
ORTHOCHROMATIC TO
PANCHROMATIC STOCK

PANCHROMATIC FILM STOCK (PANCHRO)


Came in 1913 due to experimentation with
color cinematography
DISADVANTAGES




More expensive than ortho
Slower (needed more light)
Physically unstable
ADVANTAGE

Sensitive to entire color spectrum
ORTHOCHROMATIC TO
PANCHROMATIC STOCK
In 1920s, speed of panchro increased
Became a regular Eastman Kodak product in 1923
In 1925, Eastman Kodak:







Studios then willing to use it instead of chromo because:




Lowered the cost of panchro
Increased the speed
Improved its durability
Actively promoted it
Easier to use with the mise-en-scène
Saved money on lighting (worked better with inkies)
By 1928, panchro used in 85% of all shots
THE SOFT STYLE OF
CINEMATOGRAPHY


By mid-20s, filmmakers adopted soft style of
cinematography
Experimentation began in mid-teens in an
attempt to imitate still photography


Seen as a way to separate character from background
Appealed to the aesthetic of pictorial beauty popular
among cinematographers


Many of them had begun as still photographers
They sought to associate films with art
THE SOFT STYLE OF
CINEMATOGRAPHY



Films used “normal” photography with selected
close shots in the soft style
By mid-20s, soft shots for glamour purposes
very common; many stars insisted upon it
Presented a problem for continuity:



Often a clash between hard & soft shots
Considered a price worth paying for added product
differentiation of pictorial beauty, star glamour &
promotion
Later, efforts made to minimize the clash
THE MAZDA TESTS





1928, H’wood conducted “Mazda tests”
Promoted use of incandescent lights (“Mazdas”)
Established panchro & inkies for 30+ years
Promoted soft style
These tests also:


Cemented link between H’wood & manufacturers;
professional organizations became formal liaisons
Provided model of cooperation among studios &
manufacturers used in diffusion of sound technology
MAZDA LAMP
MAZDA LAMP