COM 320 History of the Moving Image Intro to the Moving Image

COM 320COM 320History of the Moving History of the Moving ImageImage

Intro to the Moving ImageIntro to the Moving Image

What do we mean by the What do we mean by the “moving image”?“moving image”?

Recreating/recording natural motionRecreating/recording natural motion People, animals, machinesPeople, animals, machines



Creating motionCreating motion Animation (cel, photo, stop-motion)Animation (cel, photo, stop-motion) Camera motionCamera motion



Creating motionCreating motion Animation (cel, photo, stop-motion)Animation (cel, photo, stop-motion) Camera motionCamera motion

JuxtapositionsJuxtapositions EditingEditing

Look for all these types Look for all these types in:in:

Ballet Mechanique Ballet Mechanique (1924)(1924) La Jetee La Jetee (1963)(1963)

Before its time. . . Before its time. . . Ballet Mechanique Ballet Mechanique (1924)(1924)

D: Fernand Leger—Dadaist, CubistD: Fernand Leger—Dadaist, Cubist D: Dudley Murphy—American journalist, film D: Dudley Murphy—American journalist, film

director (e.g., director (e.g., The Emperor JonesThe Emperor Jones with Paul with Paul Robeson, 1933)Robeson, 1933)

Before its time. . . Before its time. . .

Ballet MécaniqueBallet Mécanique was originally written to accompany a was originally written to accompany a Dadaist film of the same name, directed by Dudley Dadaist film of the same name, directed by Dudley Murphy and Fernand Leger, with cinematography by Murphy and Fernand Leger, with cinematography by Man Ray. Antheil himself was not a Dadaist, though he Man Ray. Antheil himself was not a Dadaist, though he had many friends and supporters in that community. had many friends and supporters in that community. Unfortunately, the score ended up being between 20 Unfortunately, the score ended up being between 20 and 30 minutes long while the film was only 16 minutes and 30 minutes long while the film was only 16 minutes long. The film premiered on 24 September 1924 in long. The film premiered on 24 September 1924 in Vienna presented by Frederick Kiesler, later a world-Vienna presented by Frederick Kiesler, later a world-famous architect. Meanwhile, Antheil's music for famous architect. Meanwhile, Antheil's music for Ballet Ballet MécaniqueMécanique became a concert piece, premiered by became a concert piece, premiered by Antheil himself in Paris in 1926.Antheil himself in Paris in 1926.

Ballet Mechanique, Ballet Mechanique, the the Concert Piece (music) by Concert Piece (music) by George AntheilGeorge Antheil

The original orchestration called for 16 The original orchestration called for 16 player pianos (or pianolas) in four player pianos (or pianolas) in four parts, 2 regular pianos, 3 xylophones, parts, 2 regular pianos, 3 xylophones, at least 7 electric bells, 3 propellers, at least 7 electric bells, 3 propellers, siren, 4 bass drums, and 1 tam-tam. siren, 4 bass drums, and 1 tam-tam. As it turned out, there was no way to As it turned out, there was no way to keep so many pianolas synchronized, keep so many pianolas synchronized, so early performances combined the so early performances combined the four parts into a single set of pianola four parts into a single set of pianola rolls and augmented the two human-rolls and augmented the two human-played pianos with 6 or more additional played pianos with 6 or more additional instruments.instruments.

See a performance online: http://vimeo.com/16741656

After its time. . . After its time. . . La JeteeLa Jetee

D: Chris Marker (nee Christian Bouche-D: Chris Marker (nee Christian Bouche-Villeneuve)—French New Waver known for Villeneuve)—French New Waver known for his experiments with the manipulation of his experiments with the manipulation of timetime

A “photo poem” with voiceover narrationA “photo poem” with voiceover narration Only one “moving image” shot—look for itOnly one “moving image” shot—look for it

Source material for Terry Gilliam’s Source material for Terry Gilliam’s 12 12 Monkeys Monkeys

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COM 320 History of the Moving Image Intro to the Moving Image