Monday, March 23, 2009

Summary

All movies are different, there are old movies where they had to exaggerate every thing that happened in the movie because nobody believed it, and there are modern movies where everything is state of the art and extremely high tech. The movie I did my research on was an old movie and it was interesting how the actors played there part and how they made the special effects, only one. 

The way people made movies in the past is very different than now. In the past people used to take many pictures and then show them on a spinning wheel and it looked like a continuous movie, like the movie of the horse galloping on the second page of this blog. The movie I am doing my research on is a little newer than when "movies" were made like that. The Great Train Robbery was made with real film but to edit it they had to cut out the part of the film they didn't like and then reattach it so the editing looked a little bad. But it was the first real movie so nobody really cared. 

I really enjoyed researching this movie and working on the PQ.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Bibliography

Platt, Richard. Eyewitness books Film. NY: Alfred A. Knopf, 1992.

Lanier, Troy, Nichols, Clay. Film making for teens pulling of your shorts. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2005.

Lawton, Richard. A world of movies 70 years of film history. NY: Delacorte press, 1974.

Kobel, Peter. Silent Movies the birth of film and the triumph of movie culture. NY: Little, Brown and company, 2007.

How to Make a Movie

Questions about The Great Train Robbery

Q: How long did it take to make the movie The Great Train Robbery?
A:

Q: Who directed the movie?
A: Edwin S. Porter

Q: Who were the main actors?
A: Justus D. Barnes, Walter Cameron, and George M. Anderson

Q: What Inspired Edwin S. Porter to make the movie?

A: In 1868, a robbery, called The Great Train Robbery, was committed by 7 people from The Reno Gang, led by Jon and Simon Reno.

Q: How many people were needed to make the movie?
A:

Q: In the movie, when people were shooting guns did they fire blanks?
A: No, they just shot at other people's feet.

Q: How many cameras were used to film the movie?
A:

Sunday, March 15, 2009

History of the Great Train Robbery

On May 22, 1868 The Reno gang, led by John and Simon Reno, stole 96,000 dollars near Marshfield Indiana. This event later became The Great Train Robbery.
In 1903
Edwin S. Porter produced The first major American film.
Edwin Porter filmed the Great Train Robbery, it was a very successful film, being the first movie movie, although it was only ten minutes long (think how much technology has changed, that movie was one of the biggest hits and it was ten minutes long, now movies are usually an hour and a half). Edison filmed outside of the studio in real forests and at real train tracks.
Edison S. Porter Released the movie in December 7 1903, it was the biggest hit ever.

I got my info from: http://www.google.com/archivesearch?hl=en&rlz=1G1GGLQ_ENUS299&q=great+train+robbery&um=1&ie=UTF-8&scoring=t&ei=gGvASYPPOJmMsQPqtbwv&sa=X&oi=timeline_result&resnum=14&ct=title

Friday, March 6, 2009

Step by step screenplay

http://www.wildwestweb.net/great.html

(1) The robbers first make the telegraph operator signal that the train stop at this station--they compel him to write a order to have the train stop for water. (2) They tie him up and leave him on the floor, (3) Still tied up, the operator is able to send a message with his chin--but then collapses on the floor, where his little daughter finds him--she unties him and he goes for help. (This latter action actually takes place after the train is robbed.) (4) As the train slows to take on water, two robbers climb aboard the moving train. One of them struggles with the fireman, who attacks him with a shovel.


(5) Quickly overpowering the fireman, he throws his victim off the train. (6) The train engineer is forced off the engine while (7) the passengers are lined up in order to relieve them of their valuables. (8) One passenger attempts to run away--and is shot in the back.


(9) The bandits shoot the man in charge of the strongbox and light the fuse to a stick of dynamite, (10) which causes a terrific explosion. (11) The bags of money are grabbed up and (12) passed off the train.


(13) They board the engine with the loot and ride it to where they have tied their horses. (14) A festive scene is shown where several men and women are dancing--the men find it great fun to make a greenhorn "dance" by shooting at his feet. Suddenly the exhausted operator staggers in and tells everyone what happened. A posse is formed. (15) The posse quickly catches up to the desperadoes. (16) Gunfire is exchanged during the chase. One robber is shot off his horse.


(17) Thinking that they have eluded the posse, the remaining bandits pause to split up the loot--only to be surrounded by their pursuers. (18) After a short, but ferocious gun battle, (19) all the train robbers are killed. (20) The final shot (literally) of the film.

Thursday, March 5, 2009

The screenplay of "The Great Train Robbery"

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/edhtml/gtr.html

Scene 1
-- Interior of railroad telegraph office. Two masked robbers enter and compel the operator to set the `signal block' to stop the approaching train, also making him write a fictitious order to the engineer to take water at this station....

Scene 2 -- At the railroad water tank. The bandit band are seen hiding behind the tank as a train stops to take water (according to false order). Just before she pulls out they stealthily board the train between the express car and the tender.

Scene 3 -- Interior of express car.... the two robbers have succeeded in effecting an entrance. They enter cautiously. The messenger opens fire on them. A desperate pistol duel takes place, in which the messenger is killed. One of the robbers stands watch while the other tries to open the treasure box. Finding it locked, he searches the messenger for the key. Not finding it, he blows the safe up with dynamite.... [end of part 1]


Scene 4 -- The fight on the tender. This thrilling scene was taken from the mail car showing the tender and interior of locomotive cab, while the train is running forty miles an hour....

Scene 5 -- The train uncoupled....

Scene 6 -- Exterior of passenger coaches. The bandits compel the passengers to leave coaches with hands aloft, and line up along the tracks. One of the robbers covers them with large pistols in either hand, while the others ransack travelers' pockets. A passenger makes an attempt to escape, but is instantly shot down....

Scene 7 -- The escape. The desperadoes board the locomotive with their booty, command the engineer to start his machine, and disappear in the distance.

Scene 8 -- Off to the mountains. The robbers bring the engine to a stop several miles from the scene of the `Hold Up,' and take to the mountains. [end of part 2]


Scene 9 -- A beautiful scene in a valley. The bandits come down the side of a hill on a run and cross a narrow stream. Mounting their horses, which were tied to nearby trees, they vanish into the wilderness.

Scene 10 -- Interior of telegraph office. The operator lies bound and gagged on the floor. After a desperate struggle, he succeeds in standing up. Leaning on the table, he telegraphs for assistance by manipulating the key with his chin, and then faints from exhaustion. His little daughter enters.... cuts the ropes, and, throwing a glass of water in his face, restores him to consciousness. Arousing in a bewildered manner, he suddenly recalls his thrilling experience, and rushes forth to summon assistance.

Scene 11 -- Interior of a dance hall.... typical Western dance house scene.... Suddenly the door opens and the half dead telegraph operator staggers in. The crowd gathers around him, while he relates what has happened.... The men secure their guns and hastily leave in pursuit of the outlaws.

Scene 12 -- The posse in pursuit. Shows the robbers dashing down a rugged mountain at a terrible pace, followed closely by a large posse, both parties firing as they proceed. One of the desperadoes is shot....

Scene 13 -- The remaining three bandits, thinking they had eluded their pursuers, have dismounted from their horses.... [and] begin to examine the contents of the mail bags.... The pursuers, having left their horses, steal noiselessly down upon them until they are completely surrounded. A desperate battle then takes place. After a brave stand, all of the robbers and several of the posse bite the dust.

Scene 14 -- Realism. A life size picture of Barnes, leader of the outlaw band, taking aim and firing point blank at each individual in the audience. (This effect is gained by foreshortening in making the picture). The resulting excitement is great. This section of the scene can be used either to begin the subject or to end it, as the operator may choose."