Laurel and Hardy, 1914: Laurel or Hardy: Early Films of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy (1914-1926) - Clip - YouTube
In this short, one minute film from the Early Classical Cinema era, there are multiple techniques used that show how film had advanced from Earlier Cinema, and how those techniques could have influenced contemporary filmmaking. One of the most notable techniques that have been used in this short film is the variety of shot types that have been used. This is a major shift from films that had been made a few years earlier, as those films, such as Frankenstein, which was shot in 1910, only used one shot type (often a wide shot or a long shot) for the entirety of the film. However, in this film by Laurel and Hardy, several shot types, such as a long shot, a medium shot, a medium close up, and a close up have been used.
This helps in portraying the narrative with more depth and detail, as it allows the viewer to focus on important aspects of the story. However, even though the storytelling techniques have advanced in this sense, there is still a lack of verbal dialogue due to the technology available in that period. Despite this, dialogue is still used through presenting text on screen. This is a helpful editing method in helping to make the story more understandable for the viewer. Another key aspect of this film that shows the development in technology and editing is the use of the Match on Action technique. This method is used throughout the film, however, a stand-out moment of this is when the lady exits one shot and enters another. This seamless moment of transitioning between each scene helps the narrative flow more naturally.
Although this short film uses multiple shot types, it does not follow the 180 Degree Rule, which was not invented until the 1990s. It is clear to see that the rule has not been followed as there are several shots that show the characters from the front, back, and sides. This destroys the illusion that the action is happening in real time, as filming would have had to stop in between scenes so that the camera could be moved out of shot. Overall, it is clear to see that there are several techniques that have been used in this film compared to some films that were created in the primitive film period.
Buster Keaton, “One Week”, 1920: Buster Keaton - One Week (1920) Silent film - YouTube
In this short, one minute film from the Early Classical Cinema era, there are multiple techniques used that show how film had advanced from Earlier Cinema, and how those techniques could have influenced contemporary filmmaking. A key aspect of this film that immediately stands out to the viewer is the lengthier duration of the film, compared to films of the primitive era. Primitive cinema films were often 40 seconds long in maximum length, however, this film, by Buster Keaton, is 25 minutes in length. This is a big difference between the two eras of filmmaking as it allows for a more in-depth story to be told. This would have been possible, not through the length of the film available alone, but through the use of advanced editing. ‘One Week’ is still clearly separated into various scenes, and this is highlighted by the repetitive use of the changing days of the weeks shown on a calendar between each scene. This would have allowed for the multiple scenes to be grouped together, forming a longer film. It was also in this film, and other films of this period, that the idea of genre started to be explored. Instead of telling a simple narrative that had a precise beginning, middle and end, much like the films of the primitive period, classical cinema films had a deeper meaning and followed an emotional theme throughout. The clear genres that are displayed in this film are Romance and Comedy. Although the chaotic and unlucky narrative is not a common situation to happen, the underlying message of sticking together and keep trying is a theme that the viewer would be able to relate to, making them more engaged in the action happening on screen.
Another advanced element of filmmaking that is present in this film is the clever use of Set Design. The set in this film allows the narrative to progress and it has been cleverly created to allow for moments of comedy too.
Another method that has been used in this film is Breaking the Fourth Wall. This is a common comedy method that is also still used in contemporary film that provides a shared moment between the character and the viewer. Similarly to the Laurel and Hardy film, and other films of this period, this film begins to use intertitles to portray information about the film. For example, in the first few moments, a phrase is presented before the viewer is even introduced to any action, which reads, “The Wedding Bells have such a sweet sound, but such a sour echo”. By presenting this short phrase at the beginning of the film, it foreshadows the unfortunate events that will follow after their happy wedding day. Another interesting editing technique that has been used is the Fade Out transition. This is also used at the beginning of the film when fading out of the ‘Wedding Bell’ shot, into the scene of the characters leaving the church. These few opening scenes help to build the basis of the narrative immediately for the viewer. Overall, I feel that this film used many methods of film that has influenced the way in which contemporary films are created.
(Laurel and Hardy, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_hyRHinyYo)
(Buster Keaton, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xd6ddOlbKp8)
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