The Pioneers Who Set the Stage for Modern Film

1. Artistic Decision – In the films of Edison, the directors did indeed execute decisions of a more fundamental nature in the way they handled the performers and the scenes. The similarity of these to a painter, who knows how to compose elements into a whole picture, is indeed the case. A theater director, similarly, is like a movie director who directs not only the actors but other elements like lighting, sets, and camera angles. This aligns with the fundamental aspects of other artistic disciplines but did not yet harness the unique narrative power of film.
2. Choosing the Shooting Angle – Once upon a time, the directors gave instructions to the performers where they should put their positions, just as it was done when arranging photo subjects for a portrait. This most basic of levers over the camera was the first big step towards the cinematic narrative which was, however, around 60% theater and 40% photography.Instructing
3. “Action” and “Cut” – Before a director could initiate a scene, the lack of the power to control the editing process meant that the movies were mostly shot in the manner of a single, unboarded take. This deficiency mimicked the characteristic of the former than the right manipulated presentation really the cinema should start with.

The Theatrical Nature of Early Film

In essence, Edison’s technique to film reflected a theatrical overall performance captured on digicam. The absence of enhancing, combined with fixed camera positions and continuous movement, intended that early films lacked the dynamic storytelling and visual manipulation that later have become synonymous with cinema. The result turned into a medium that, whilst visually interesting, was still basically an extension of theater in place of a totally realized shape of cinematic artwork.

Although Edison’s films didn’t capture all that cinema would become, they provided the foundation upon which the medium was to be built in the future. Hence, with the introduction of motion pictures into the industry of entertainment, Edison gave a path that the creative innovators of the future could explore and expand film in artistic, technical, and narrative potential.

The Cinetoscope Era: Increased Popularity of Film

During the time of Thomas Edison, Kinetoscope was a major device serving for presenting films to audiences. The machine allowed people to see short films by means of a peephole viewer one at a time. The commercial film exhibitions started with a number of Kinetoscopes across many parlors, but they were individual experiences and not shared cinematic experiences. These were devices that popularized film as an entertainment medium, although in a form almost unrecognizable in comparison with today’s communal moviegoing experience.

One of the most fascinating aspects of films from this era was their use of color. While color film technology was not yet invented, filmmakers sought to vivify their creations using color effects, achieved through painstakingly painting directly onto the film frame by hand. 

By incorporating traditional art techniques into film, early filmmakers ( if we can call them filmmakers at this stage)were able to enchant audiences and provide a richer, more colorful viewing experience. These efforts set the stage for the continuous technological advancements that would later enable the true color cinematography that has become a cornerstone of the film industry today.