From Lanterns to Lenses

Screening is where the history of early film starts. Presenting moving images to a viewer is known as a screening in its broadest meaning; this technique existed before even the invention of film as we know it today. A key component of this early cinematic age is the interplay between art, science, and technology.

Galileo’s Influence on Film Technology

Many attribute the beginnings of what would eventually become cinema to developments in optical science. Galileo Galilei, whose contributions went well beyond his well-known astronomical observations, was one of the important players in this early stage. Galileo made a substantial contribution to the development of projection techniques, which laid the foundation for subsequent advancements in cinema technology, by, among other things, refining the “magic lantern.” The magic lantern was an early type of image projector that used a light source, a mirror, and a lens to project images painted on glass slides onto large surfaces, usually a wall or a screen. Galileo’s efforts helped raise public knowledge of the instrument even though it was invented in the 17th century by his contemporaries, Christiaan Huygens. Galileo’s efforts helped raise public knowledge of the instrument even though it was invented in the 17th century by his contemporaries, Christiaan Huygens.

One could consider these early magic lantern performances to be the earliest screenings. In order to amuse and inform audiences, an operator, sometimes known as a “lanternist,” would project a series of still images during the shows. These assemblies were more than just technical exhibits; they were infused with storytelling, frequently telling stories that were religious, instructive, or mythical. The series of projections may imply motion or narrative progression, similar to the frames of a movie, even though these pictures did not move like movie frames do.

Early Releases and Contemporary Film

The unifying idea of sequential visual storytelling is what connects these early screenings to contemporary filmmaking. Although the technology and techniques have changed considerably, both mediums use a series of images to tell a story. Whereas contemporary film screenings employ continuous reels or digital files to simulate movement, magic lantern displays depended on manually switching slides.

Both forms rely on framing—an artistic concept most directly derived from painting. Each frame, whether a static slide or a fraction of a second in a film, is composed and considered, much like a painter’s canvas. This artistic lineage highlights that, at its core, cinema is a visual art form, structured around the concept of the frame.

The Artistic Lineage of Early Cinema

In tracing the lineage of cinema, one must acknowledge its roots in the magic lantern shows—the initial screenings that sparked the imaginative leap toward motion pictures. As we explore further into the evolution of cinema, these connections between art, science, and visual storytelling become even more profound, illustrating the intricate tapestry of influences that cinema has woven over the decades.

Lanternists started experimenting with different effects as demand for their performances increased in an effort to improve the viewing experience. They created methods like moving the slides to mimic motion, superimposing images with numerous lanterns, and utilizing mechanical slides that could alter the image (by opening or closing their mouths, for example). In an effort to provide a more realistic experience, some lanternists even experimented with sound effects, syncing them with the pictures.