georges melies.pdf

GEORGES MÉLIÈS AND HIS IMPACT ON MODERN DAY FILM

By Ella Pinnington, Becky Patterson, Sachin Rai & Frame Phrommet

We hope to be able to create a hypothetical discussion on Georges Méliès and his impact on modern day film, as well as

what may have inspired him to create many of his most famous films, such as “A Trip to the Moon” (1902) and “The Impossible

Voyage” (1904)

Looking at many of Georges Méliès scholars and reviewers we shall come as close to a conclusion as possible baring in mind that he is no longer contemporary; (Died 1938) thus leaving it

open for argument and discussion.

SO.. Who was Georges Méliès ?

Born in 1861, Died in 1938

Created over 500 films

Accidentally discovered the “Stop-Edit”, or Jump Cut

Pioneered the Dissolve and Double Exposure

A Magician

“The Grandfather of Special Effects”

Georges Méliès has been noted as the “Grandfather of Special Effects” for his revolutionary use of methods for

creating Cinematography. As Filmsite.org’s Tim Dirks describes, “He also pioneered the art of film editing”

(Dirks, n.d.)

The Vanishing Lady (1896)

The Ring – Gore Verbinsky (2002)

The Influences on Georges Méliès

His most successful film, “A Trip to the Moon” (1902) had hints of satire that arguably made it stand out from the rest of his joyous films. As Matthew Solomon, film historian and theorist

states in his book “Fantastic Voyages of the Cinematic Imagination” (2011), Melies may have

been inspired by Well’s The First Men in the

Moon yet goes on to say “early cinema was not

dominated by the narrative impulse that later asserted its sway

over the medium”

The Influence of Georges Méliès

At face value Melies has inspired generations of films and cinema, from Japanese animation like Soul Eater (2004-2013) and it’s moon with a face to books such as “The Invention of Hugo Cabret” (2007) which stands as a tribute of sorts to him.

Maria Popova of BrainPickings.org and many other film historians have said in one form or

another “Méliès pioneered techniques that are still among

the most potent creative arsenal of today’s animators”

(Popova, n.d.)

But is pioneer the right word?

Hugo (2011) – Martin Scorsese

CONCLUSION TIME

Born in 1861, Died in 1938 Bankrupt and forgotten about for years in the early 1900’s

Created over 500 films Only a few were remembered

Accidentally discovered the “Stop-Edit”, or Jump Cut

Pioneered the Dissolve and Double Exposure

Arguably did not go further with developing his techniques

Illustration List:

References

Melies, G. (1902). [image] Available at: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e7/20000-lieues-sous-1907-scene.jpg [Accessed 19 Nov. 2014].

Melies, G. (1902). [image] Available at: http://madmuseum.org/sites/default/files/2011/03/trip-to-teh-moon-1902_0.jpg [Accessed 19 Nov.

2014].

Melies, G. (1896). [image] Available at: http://puu.sh/cXDhn/33fc403624.png [Accessed 19 Nov. 2014].

Melies, G. (1902). [image] Available at: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fssyNZilxf4/TzAnZxiuvWI/AAAAAAAAGKM/Z_LQcggJOfI/s1600/LeVoyageDansLaLune6.jpg [Accessed 19 Nov. 2014].

Scorsese, M. (2011). [image] Available at: http://puu.sh/cXGnn/540d5498e9.png [Accessed 19 Nov. 2014].

Verbinsky, G. (2002). [image] Available at: http://puu.sh/cXDGP/59c0b4ff36.png [Accessed 19 Nov. 2014].

References

Dirks, T. (n.d.). Voyage Dans La Lune (A Trip to the Moon) (1902). [online] Filmsite.org. Available at: http://www.filmsite.org/voya.html [Accessed 19 Nov. 2014].

Filmsite.org, (n.d.). Voyage Dans La Lune (A Trip to the Moon) (1902). [online] Available at: http://www.filmsite.org/voya.html [Accessed 19

Nov. 2014].

Los Angeles Times Articles, (1997). 'Hugo' revives interest in Georges Méliès. [online] Available at: http://articles.latimes.com/2011/nov/28/entertainment/la-et-georges-melies-20111128 [Accessed 19 Nov. 2014].

Lsa.umich.edu, (n.d.). People | Screen Arts and Cultures | University of Michigan. [online] Available at:

http://www.lsa.umich.edu/sac/people/solomonmatthew_ci [Accessed 19 Nov. 2014].

Melies.eu, (n.d.). Georges M li s official website. [online] Available at: http://www.melies.eu/English.html [Accessed 19 Nov. 2014].

Popova, M. (n.d.). Georges Méliès: The First Cinemagician. [online] Brain Pickings. Available at: http://www.brainpickings.org/2011/01/06/georges-melies/ [Accessed 19 Nov. 2014].

Solomon, M. (2011). Fantastic voyages of the cinematic imagination. Albany: State University of New York Press.

The Creators Project, (2011). Original Creators: Georges Méliès | The Creators Project. [online] Available at:

http://thecreatorsproject.vice.com/en_uk/blog/original-creators-georges-m%C3%A9li%C3%A8s [Accessed 19 Nov. 2014].

Wikipedia, (n.d.). A Trip to the Moon. [online] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Trip_to_the_Moon#Inspiration [Accessed 19 Nov. 2014].