georges melies.pdf
TRANSCRIPT
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 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].