1.4 The Emergence of Narrative Filmmaking

Early American cinema evolved from short, spectacle-focused films to narrative-driven storytelling. This shift was marked by experiments in combining shots and developing techniques like intertitles and parallel editing. The transition paved the way for longer, more engaging films.

D.W. Griffith's works exemplified the maturation of narrative filmmaking in the mid-1910s. His use of advanced techniques like close-ups and cross-cutting demonstrated cinema's artistic potential as a storytelling medium, leading to the rise of feature-length narrative films in American cinema.

Narrative Filmmaking's Evolution

Early Cinema's Emphasis on Spectacle

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• Early cinema (1895-1904) was dominated by short, single-shot films that emphasized spectacle and visual novelty over storytelling
  • Lumière brothers' actualités captured real-life scenes and events (Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory, Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat)
  • Georges Méliès' trick films used special effects and whimsical storytelling (A Trip to the Moon, The Impossible Voyage)
• These early films aimed to showcase the technological marvels of the new medium rather than prioritizing narrative coherence

Transition to Narrative Filmmaking

• In the early 1900s, filmmakers began experimenting with combining multiple shots to create coherent stories
  • Edwin S. Porter's "The Great Train Robbery" (1903) used multiple scenes and locations to tell a linear story
  • Porter's film demonstrated the potential for cinema to convey more complex narratives
• The rise of nickelodeons and the increasing demand for longer, more engaging films encouraged the development of narrative techniques
  • Intertitles were used to convey dialogue, narration, and expository information
  • Parallel editing allowed filmmakers to cut between different actions occurring simultaneously in different locations
  • Continuity editing techniques maintained spatial and temporal coherence between shots

Maturation of Narrative Filmmaking

• D.W. Griffith's films exemplified the maturation of narrative filmmaking in the mid-1910s
  • "The Birth of a Nation" (1915) and "Intolerance" (1916) employed advanced techniques to guide viewer attention and emotional engagement
  • Close-ups, cross-cutting, and a variety of shot sizes were used to create a more immersive and emotionally impactful viewing experience
  • Griffith's films demonstrated the artistic potential of cinema as a storytelling medium
• The success of Griffith's features paved the way for the rise of feature-length narrative films as the dominant form of American cinema

Classical Hollywood Narrative Style

Emphasis on Clarity, Linearity, and Emotional Engagement

• The classical Hollywood narrative style prioritizes clarity, linearity, and emotional engagement in storytelling
  • Presents a coherent, character-driven story with a clear beginning, middle, and end
  • Aims to create an accessible and emotionally satisfying viewing experience for a wide audience
• The three-act structure forms the backbone of most Hollywood narratives
  • Setup introduces characters, setting, and conflict
  • Confrontation escalates the conflict and challenges the protagonist
  • Resolution brings the story to a satisfying conclusion

Continuity Editing Techniques

• Continuity editing techniques create a seamless, spatially and temporally coherent narrative
  • The 180-degree rule maintains consistent screen direction and character placement
  • Shot/reverse-shot is used for conversations, showing characters' reactions and maintaining spatial orientation
  • Eyeline matches ensure that characters' gazes align across shots, preserving the illusion of continuous action
• These techniques help maintain viewer orientation and engagement, allowing the audience to focus on the story and characters

Character-Driven Storytelling

• Goal-oriented protagonists drive the narrative forward through their actions and decisions
  • Protagonists often have clear desires or objectives that propel the story (Rick's quest for redemption in "Casablanca")
  • Character arcs show the protagonist's growth and change over the course of the narrative (Scarlett's journey in "Gone with the Wind")
• Clearly defined antagonists provide obstacles and conflict for the protagonist to overcome
  • Antagonists may be individuals, groups, or forces that oppose the protagonist's goals (The Wicked Witch of the West in "The Wizard of Oz")
• The resolution of conflicts through character action and decision-making is central to the Hollywood narrative formula

Stylistic Elements Enhance Emotional Impact

• Music, lighting, and other stylistic elements are employed to enhance the emotional impact of the story
  • Musical scores guide viewer emotions and underscore key moments (Max Steiner's score for "King Kong")
  • Lighting is used to create mood, atmosphere, and visual symbolism (the shadowy lighting in film noir, such as "Double Indemnity")
• These elements work together to guide viewer interpretation and emotional response, creating a more immersive and engaging viewing experience

Theater and Literature's Influence

Adaptation of Literary Works

• Early narrative films often drew inspiration from popular literary works, adapting them for the screen
  • Georges Méliès' adaptation of "Cinderella" (1899) brought the fairy tale to life using special effects
  • Edwin S. Porter's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (1903) adapted the famous novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe
• The practice of adapting literature for the screen continued throughout the classical Hollywood era
  • "Gone with the Wind" (1939) adapted Margaret Mitchell's best-selling novel
  • "The Grapes of Wrath" (1940) brought John Steinbeck's Depression-era novel to the screen

Influence of Dramatic Structure and Character Archetypes

• The adoption of the three-act structure in Hollywood narratives reflects the influence of traditional dramatic structure in theater
  • Aristotle's "Poetics" outlined the basic elements of dramatic structure, including the importance of a beginning, middle, and end
  • The three-act structure provides a familiar and satisfying story arc for audiences
• Character archetypes and narrative tropes from literature and theater were readily incorporated into early narrative films
  • The hero's journey, a common narrative pattern in mythology and folklore, was adapted for films like "The Wizard of Oz" (1939)
  • The star-crossed lovers trope, popularized by Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," was used in films like "Casablanca" (1942)
  • The tragic hero archetype, exemplified by characters like Oedipus and Hamlet, was employed in films like "Citizen Kane" (1941)

Emphasis on Character Psychology and Development

• The emphasis on character psychology, motivation, and development in classical Hollywood narratives can be traced back to the influence of 19th-century realist literature
  • Realist authors like Gustave Flaubert and Leo Tolstoy explored the inner lives and psychological complexities of their characters
  • Hollywood narratives often focused on character growth, change, and the resolution of internal conflicts
• The emerging field of psychology in the early 20th century also influenced the portrayal of characters in Hollywood films
  • Sigmund Freud's theories of the unconscious mind and the importance of childhood experiences were reflected in films like "Spellbound" (1945)
  • Carl Jung's concept of archetypes was used to create recognizable and relatable character types in Hollywood narratives

Early Narrative Films' Significance

Establishing Hollywood as a Global Entertainment Industry

• The success of early narrative films demonstrated the commercial viability and audience appeal of story-driven cinema
  • "The Great Train Robbery" (1903) was a major box office success, inspiring filmmakers to create more narrative-driven films
  • D.W. Griffith's features, "The Birth of a Nation" (1915) and "Intolerance" (1916), were landmark films that showcased the artistic and commercial potential of feature-length narratives
• The popularity of these early narrative films paved the way for the rise of Hollywood as a global entertainment industry
  • The studio system emerged in the 1920s, with major studios like Paramount, MGM, and Warner Bros. producing a steady stream of narrative films
  • Hollywood's global dominance was established by the 1930s, with American films being exported and celebrated worldwide

Providing a Template for Accessible Storytelling

• The establishment of the classical Hollywood narrative style provided a template for accessible, emotionally engaging storytelling
  • The emphasis on clarity, linearity, and character-driven narratives made films more accessible to a wide audience
  • The use of continuity editing, three-act structure, and goal-oriented protagonists created a familiar and satisfying viewing experience
• This template would dominate American cinema for decades to come, shaping audience expectations and influencing filmmakers around the world

Showcasing Cinema's Potential for Adaptation

• Early narrative films showcased the potential of cinema as a medium for adapting and popularizing literary works
  • The success of early adaptations like "Uncle Tom's Cabin" (1903) and "Cinderella" (1899) demonstrated the appeal of seeing familiar stories brought to life on screen
  • This set the stage for Hollywood's long-standing relationship with literature and theater, with adaptations remaining a staple of American cinema throughout its history
• The ability to adapt popular stories for the screen helped cinema reach a wider audience and establish itself as a mainstream entertainment medium

Laying the Foundation for Film Language and Genres

• The development of narrative techniques in early cinema laid the foundation for the evolution of film language
  • Techniques like continuity editing, shot/reverse-shot, and the use of close-ups became essential tools for storytelling in cinema
  • These techniques were refined and expanded upon throughout the classical Hollywood era, shaping the language of film
• Early narrative films also set the stage for the emergence of distinct genres in American cinema
  • "The Great Train Robbery" (1903) established many of the conventions of the Western genre, such as the use of iconic locations, character types, and themes of law and order
  • Melodramas like "The Cheat" (1915) and romantic comedies like "It Happened One Night" (1934) emerged as popular genres in the early decades of Hollywood cinema
  • These genres provided a framework for storytelling and audience expectations, shaping the development of American cinema

Establishing the United States as a Major Force in Global Cinema

• The success of American narrative films in the early 20th century helped establish the United States as a major force in the global film industry
  • The popularity of American films abroad, coupled with the efficient production and distribution systems of Hollywood studios, allowed American cinema to dominate the global market
  • This dominance was further solidified by the decline of European film industries during World War I and the advent of sound in the late 1920s
• Hollywood's cultural and economic dominance would continue for decades, with American films and filmmaking styles influencing cinema around the world
  • The classical Hollywood narrative style became the dominant mode of storytelling in global cinema, with filmmakers in other countries often emulating or adapting Hollywood techniques
  • The global success of American films helped establish the United States as a cultural superpower, with Hollywood playing a key role in shaping global popular culture throughout the 20th century