Throughout time film has become progressively more complex. Initially, black and white silent films were a huge innovation. With Edison's invention of the phonograph in 1877, filmmakers became able to add sound to "moving pictures." The sound was low quality by the standards of today, but a shock to many from the era. It took a while to figure out synchronization, The Jazz Singer released in 1927, was the first "talkie" to receive attention from audiences. From the addition to dialogue came the addition of a separate musical soundtrack, as well as sounds one may not consciously realize are missing, such as rain falling on a window or a door creaking open.
^Walt Disney's Flowers & Trees; 1932^
The technicolor process began its development in 1912. A two strip technique was used by 1917 and a three strip process was created by 1930. In 1932 Walt Disney used this technology in an animated short called Flowers & Trees. This led to its popularity in Hollywood, where it was used by many filmmakers in movies such as The Cat & The Fiddle (1934), Snow White & the Seven Dwafs (1937) and most famously The Wizard of Oz (1939).
Abel Gance was orginally supposed to make 6 films about Napoleon with the money used to make this one. He uses the innovative technology of a triptych at one point, seperating the screen into three different images. This method was extremely new to directing, as well inter-cutting between various scenes for dramatic effect. He allowed the camera interesting angles by using slightly unorthodox methods, such as strapping the camera to a horse or a sled. The end product was 6 hours, so though it was historically significant, it did not catch critiques or audiences eyes until much later. It has been revitalized by film editors and premiered at the San Francisco Film Festival in March 2012. It is typically shown with the aid of a live orchestra as shown in the video above.
This silent film is actually quite comical, reminiscent of vaudeville humor with the exaggerated robberies and the antics of the bandits. The camera work is fairly advanced for the time period, with the angles and set changes. Such as around 3:30 when the camera appears to be sitting on a moving train, allowing the audience to see an aspect of the train which would be unavailable from another angle. It's so interesting how back then directors couldn't rely on words yet still create a story line. There is interesting technology regarding the gunfire shown on screen, while its unknown how exactly this effect was achieved it clearly wasn't graphics of today or real guns so Edison had to have come up with something. The end scene where the bandit shoots at the crowd must have been extremely innovative at the time as engaging the audience with the actors like that was previously unheard of.
Georges Miélés was certainly ahead of his time. Neil Armstrong didn't make it to the moon until 1969 but Miélés' mind was already there 67 years earlier. Obviously, compared to video technologies in our time Le Voyage dans la lune is quite elementary. But Miélés was an inventor, one of many who made our technologies today possible. This short film was one of the first to create the basis for the science fiction genre. I think this is a very innovative film, he carried his ideas to fruition nicely. The fact that animation technology was lacking makes this video even more amazing. All of these sets were physically there and must have required dedication and lots of physical work, not to mention the intelligence to make it all work in the way that it does.
Various technologies are used in Jesus Christ Superstar to create the drama captured in this video. Such technologies include intricate lighting throughout, from large flashing letters and colored lights to a light up cross, these production choices lend a modern aspect to this play. The first scene in this video also showcases an interesting technology, a moving platform which raises Jesus above the audience, a very striking choice.
^ This segment from the Tony awards showcases some very interesting technologies in Porgy & Bess. The scenery is the most advanced part of the show. In the beginning a couple of panels are lifted up, then to create a scene change around 1:55 the whole background of an urban scene is lifted from the ground to reveal screens of clouds & grass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkg2w5ZUIPg&feature=player_embedded#!
^This scene from Peter Pan starring Cathy Riggs would not be possible without the technology which allows the actors to fly around stage. It is assumed that there is some sort of rig involving harnesses and wires, but the technology is so advanced that it is not at all visible and Peter is able to do all sorts of quick twists and turns in the air.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL4aFn1DxGE&feature=player_embedded#! ^Godspell utilizes some very awesome technologies to make the play fun and interesting. Throughout the play they use a system of panels in the floor, a couple times where a trap door opens to reveal water (once water even streams from the ceiling) and another time where other doors open to reveal small trampolines which the cast uses to create a very fun scene. I actually saw this play in the spring and it was really great. The stage is small and the actors do a lot of improvising, which makes the whole experience very personal and comfortable. Not to mention Hunter Parrish is just beautiful...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqkAHEGSzAU&feature=player_embedded
^The set in this video of Guys and Dolls is so intricate, it adds a realistic feel to the whole scene. The technology used to change the scene at the very end is striking because it accomplishes that change so quickly. This is done by having a screen with a background printed on it drop down over the initial cityscape.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr2xIjDX_tg&feature=player_embedded#!
^Even though I honestly have no idea what is being said in this video, its really different how Avenue Q uses puppets in their plays. That is a technology which isn't usually seen in such productions on stage. The actors interact with one another using the puppets, which is very interesting to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5yYci9CwYA&feature=player_embedded#! ^This video shows a very interesting technology used in A Chorus Line. In the musical number, entitled "One" the background is seen to be created by rotating panels. These panels are moved in the very end of the song to reveal mirrors. It gives a very cool effect to be able to see the backs of all of the dancers and adds deceiving depth to the stage.
The roots of jazz are found in the era of the slave trade. As the people of Africa became doomed for a life of slavery and misery, music became an outlet. Songs were sung in the form of "call and response", a style which is found in jazz today; one instrument will play a certain sound and another one will respond in a slightly altered echo.
Around the 1800's white and black minstrel shows gained their popularity, and with them so did black musical traditions such as the use of the fiddle, banjo and tambourine. Many jazz performers, such as Bessie Smith found their path to popularity in minstrel shows. New Orleans was a central area for slave trading, but also a cultural hub for African Americans to exchange musical methods and dances similar to those in jazz. Rag time was born with Scott Joplin in 1868, blues and marching band music was soon to follow. Jelly Roll Morton was known for making the sound of the harmonica a staple in jazz.
Dr. Jazz by Jelly Roll Morton
By the 1920's African Americans were moving towards Chicago or New York, bringing blues and jazz with them. The concept of "blue notes" were introduced, meaning that some musical notes would be played on a pitch lower than the major scale. Improvisation of melody is another staple of jazz music, a freedom not known in most previous musical genres. The new generations of America accepted and ultimately loved these musical genres. Women known as flappers became a cultural staple of the era; they were cutting their hair, wearing shorter dresses, smoking cigarettes as well as dancing to jazz music. Radios and record players were also essential to the growing popularity of jazz music.
1930's brought big band & swing music, a new style of jazz which entailed flowing rhythms played by a large band. Crowds were drawn and before the stock market crash, night life was increasingly energetic. Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington were big names during this time. The youth became a subculture, almost in likeness to the 1960's. They pushed the catch phrase "Express your true feelings!"
In the 1940's jazz music was lacking due to the draft for World War II, many musicians were serving the U.S instead of playing in bands and music halls. With the 1950's came Elvis and the beginning of rock and roll, so jazz laid low until the 60's.
In compliance with the civil rights movement, African American jazz musicians finally broke free from record companies with white owners. They began to control their own music and establishments. From the 1970's into the rest of the 20th century, jazz was constantly growing into new subgenres, such as: fusion jazz of the 70's, acid jazz of the 80's and smooth jazz and retro swing of the 90's.
This documentary is abundant with lots of intriguing information about the creation of opera. It does a good job of showing the evolution of the genre and the numerous effects it had (and still has) on society. A few things were quite interesting, such as the Florentine Camerata. I had no idea that was how opera initially came about. The fact that amateur musicians and intellects came together, and it led to such a massive culture of art is truly amazing. Poets, artists, philosophers and even scientists conversed and decided to collaborate to create a revolution in music. The thought of all of these presumably interesting people gathered around in one room is so inspirational. What is even more inspirational is the fact that they succeeded.
Something else I found interesting was the fact that opera became the catalyst for revolution in some instances. Beginning with the rescue operas which were a response to the storming of the Bastille to Auber's "La Muette de Portici", opera became a tool for societal change. Rescue opera's offered comfort and inspiration to people who felt oppressed. Often times, the themes of liberation and change were prevalent. "La Muette de Portici" was the story of fishermen who revolted against oppression. A duet in the opera was so inspirational to the audience that afterwards a riot began, as they sought out to defeat their own oppressors. The fact that an opera could have such an effect is extraordinary. This riot led to the revolution which gave way to the country of Belgium. The composer Verdi had a similar effect in Italy, though his
works became centralized around intense nationalistic pride which Mussolini used to his own advantage. This is not necessarily a positive effect, though it is extremely interesting to see the various directions the power of this genre can take.
That is Pjotr Sapegin's animated adaptation of Giaccomo Puccini's Madama Butterfly. The original opera was based on an 1898 short story of the same title by John Luther Long. Puccini was an Italian composer who is also famous for La Bohéme. Madama Butterfly was a later production brought to the stage in 1904.
This video is a very creative and unorthodox portrayal of the plot. One part I found very striking is when Lieutenant Pinkerton comes back. Madam Butterfly expects he is there for her and their child but instead he takes their child, tearing the string which connects the mother and daughter. This string is reminiscent of an umbilical cord which was a very interesting artistic choice. I also noticed that Pinkerton and his new wife are depicted as Barbie doll-like figures, where Madam Butterfly and her daughter are crude clay people. This choice sends the message that most would expect the Americans to be perfect and better than anyone else. Almost in response to this, Madam Butterfly destroys herself and this destruction gives way to the birth of a butterfly. It seems to symbolize change and letting go which is wonderful in her situation. This is more beautiful and meaningful than any Barbie would be, and I thought this was a very interesting ending.
We watched this scene in class last week and it was one of those things that you see and then continue thinking about. I was confused but also intrigued; who are these people? What led them to be seemingly running away together? And of course, why did they decide to commit suicide together? The scene gave me chills which didn't dissipate quickly and sent my mind reeling for hours after. The questions came together as the director surely intended as did the haunting feeling which stuck with me afterward. What made the scene truly eerie was the choice of music. It is interesting that the song came from Tristan and Isolde, so it seems in some way these characters are meant to depict that tragic couple though obviously their stories are quite different. The director, Frank Roddam did a great job of creating mood and meaning through this piece of art.
