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The 2018 film The Hate U Give is a powerful, critically acclaimed coming-of-age drama that confronts systemic racism, identity, and police brutality. Directed by George Tillman Jr. and based on Angie Thomas’s bestselling young adult novel, the movie follows Starr Carter (played by Amandla Stenberg), a 16-year-old Black girl who witnesses the fatal police shooting of her unarmed childhood best friend, Khalil

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The Hate U Give | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX

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Though he was only 11 at the time of preparation, Jaden Smith went through a difficult three-month pre-production training camp with the personal stunt team of Jackie Chan. He trained for up to five hours each day, learning flexibility, strength, and three different martial arts, including the Crane Style of Kung Fu performed on the mountain top. Jackie Chan himself openly stated how amazed he was with the dedication of the young star.

Will Smith, who produced the movie, stated that Jackie Chan had been highly respected in China, thus he had used his influence to facilitate various aspects of the film making process including gaining access to shoot in specific locations.

Sources: The Karate Kid (2010) – Trivia." IMDb, IMDb.com, imdb.com.

IMDb.com. (n.d.). The Karate Kid (2010) – Trivia. IMDb. Retrieved June 21, 2026, from imdb.com

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The Karate Kid 2 - 2025 | Jackie Chen, Jaden Smith, Ralph Macchio

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WHEN did it happen

WHERE did it develop

WHO did it

WHAT was it (in more detail)

WHY/HOW did it happen

IMPORTANCE IN CINEMA HISTORY what was the effect on the overall development of the film medium/industry

MEDIA include at least one additional image, one video, two links for more information

Optional: Record your voice or video commenting on the event you researched

WORD COUNT: 350 minimum (excluding citations)
CITATIONS: cite your sources in MLA format

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George Eastman (left) and Thomas Edison demonstrate the use of a motion picture camera. George Eastman Museum 

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When did it happen?
Celluloid Roll film was first manufactured and sold in the autumn of 1889.

Where did it develop?
It was made in Rochester, NY by the Eastman Kodak Company.

Who did it?
George Eastman spearheaded the manufacturing of celluloid roll film.

What was it?
Celluloid roll film was the most durable and flexible camera film that allowed motion picture cameras like the one above to work. Such quality in film was unprecedented and needed.

Why/How did it happen?
In 1888, other companies were pasting photos onto thick celluloid plates, but that was tacky and didn’t have use in Eastman Kodak’s cameras. Their cameras were meant to be revolutionary, and Eastman’s business partner, William Walker, stated that he would “not trade it for the telephone” if they could control the film industry. In the least scientific words possible, Eastman’s chemist, “Henry Reichenbach,” hardened thin strips of celluloid so that it could be cast into film.

Importance in Cinema History
To start, Eastman’s celluloid roll film was the basis of film in the late 1800s and up to the1950s. In that time frame was the basis of all films as we know them today, as stated to the right. All of the stories, innovations, and money generated by the film industry is a direct product of celluloid roll film. Next, these advances created the transparent negative that is still used in film today.

Works Cited

Reynolds, James. “George Eastman, Kodak, and the Birth of Consumer Photography.” American Chemical Society, 3 Oct. 2022, www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/eastman-kodak.html.

“C Is For... Celluloid: The Goodwin vs. Kodak Patent Battle over Flexible Film.” National Science and Media Museum Blog, blog.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/a-z-photography-collection-c-is-for-celluloid/.

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1890 The development of the Kinetograph

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1890 The development of the Kinetograph

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1890: The development of the Kinetograph

WHEN did it happen

The kinetograph was invented and patented in 1890.

WHERE did it develop

The kinetograph was invented in Thomas Edison’s laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey.

WHO did it

The kinetograph was developed by the American inventor Thomas Alva Edison as well as his assistant, William K. L. Dickson.

WHAT was it

The kinetograph was an early camera that was used to take a series of photos of subjects that were in motion. The camera worked by capturing images using a stop and go shutter system. After this, the kinetograph took the film and processed it between a viewing lens as well as an electric incandescent lamp inside of the kinetoscope. Once this process was completed, the illusion of a moving picture was created for the viewer. It was the first time moving objects could be captured on film, breaking boundaries in the world in the visual media.

WHY/HOW did it happen

Thomas Edison was hoping to “create a visual accompaniment for his phonograph”(Britannica). A phonograph was an early record player. Prior to the invention of the kinetograph, the synchronization of sound and picture was one that was incredibly difficult. This is why it was something that was put off, until the invention of the kinetograph. The invention of kinetograph happened after the invention of a certain type of film called Celluloid film, which was processed through the kinetograph. In tandem with one another, moving objects were able to be captured on film.

IMPORTANCE IN CINEMA HISTORY

The Kinetograph was an invention that forever changed the trajectory of film making and virtual storytelling. It was an invention that changed the world forever because it was a camera that was able to capture moving subjects. It also led to the invention of the Kinetoscope, a device that allowed people to view these photos in a succession manner. The combination of these two tools lead to people being able to view moving pictures for one of the first times ever in history. With this introduction to humanity, new horizons were possible in regards to the world of film. The kinetograph was an opening to a world of endless motion picture film.

Additional Image: Added above

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yY1d_WtMjQg

Additional Information: https://www.loc.gov/collections/edison-company-motion-pictures-and-sound-recordings/articles-and-essays/history-of-edison-motion-pictures/origins-of-motion-pictures/

Additional Information: https://www.nps.gov/edis/learn/kidsyouth/motion-pictures.htm?scrlybrkr=e52ee6f2

Works Cited

Deng, Connie. “Kinetograph | Cinematic Device.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/technology/Kinetograph.

“Kinetograph | MoMA.” The Museum of Modern Art, www.moma.org/collection/terms/kinetograph.

Slonaker, Nadia. “The Kinetograph-the Impact of Cinematography.” Opentextbooks.clemson.edu, 29 July 2020, opentextbooks.clemson.edu/sciencetechnologyandsociety/chapter/the-revolution-of-cinematography/.

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In 1894 Thomas Edison’s Kinetoscope films were first introduced to the public giving birth to motion pictures. Instead of projecting movies onto a large screen for a crowd, people would drop a coin into the cabinet and peer through a peephole to watch a brief looping motion picture.

When: Developed 1889-1892, First public demonstration May 20, 1893, Commercial launch April 14, 1894.

Where: The kinetoscope and the films made for it were developed at the Edison Laboratory in West Orange, New Jersey The films were shot in the Black Maria which was the world’s first dedicated movie studio.

Who: Thomas Edison and William Kennedy Laurie Dickson

What: The Kinetoscope was a wooden cabinet that enclosed a loop of 35mm celluloid film. The film has sprocket holes on the sides so the gears of the machine could pull it through smoothly. The film would pass over a light source and behind a rapidly spinning wheel which created the optical illusion of fluid motion. Since the film could only run for about 30 seconds, they did not feature complex stories but instead depicted brief spectacles like dancers, performers, and even boxers. The camera they used to shoot them was the Kinetograph. The Kinetograph was the world’s first motion picture camera and was capable of capturing rapid sequences of photographs on the celluloid film. The Kinetoscopes were primarily displayed in Kinetoscope parlors, arcades, fairs and expositions.

Why: Thomas Edison invented the Kinetoscope to be a viewing device to the Kinetograph that he had created. Edison wanted to expand the entertainment industry. He was previously able to commercialize the phonograph so the Kinetoscope would be a visual companion.

Importance in Cinema History: Thomas Edison’s Kinetoscope revolutionized storytelling by introducing the world to moving pictures. Edison provided the vital technological foundation for high speed shutters and movie projectors that are still prevalent in modern cinema. The commercial success of the Kinetoscope created public demand for visual entertainment and proved movies to be a profitable market.This ultimately inspired inventors to develop and perfect devices that could project the moving pictures onto large screens for larger audiences.

Media:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfI0NVC0hLU

More Info:

https://www.loc.gov/collections/edison-company-motion-pictures-and-sound-recordings/about-this-collection/

Sources:

Musser, Charles. The Emergence of Cinema: The American Screen to 1907. University of California Press, 1994.

Library of Congress. "History of Edison Motion Pictures." LOC.gov Digital Collections.

National Park Service. "Thomas Edison and the Kinetoscope." U.S. Department of the Interior.

Annya Reyes

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1895 – The Lumière Brothers' First Public Film Screening 

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1895 – The Lumière Brothers' First Public Film Screening 

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YEAR

1895

WHEN did it happen?

December 28, 1895

WHERE did it develop?

Paris, France

WHO did it?

Auguste Lumière and Louis Lumière

WHAT was it? (more detail)

In 1895, the Lumière brothers held one of the first public film screenings in history. They used a machine called the Cinématographe, which could record, develop, and project moving images. During the screening, audiences watched several short films, including Workers Leaving the Lumière Factory. Unlike earlier inventions that only allowed one person at a time to view moving images, the Cinématographe allowed groups of people to watch films together on a large screen. This was a major step forward in the development of cinema because it transformed motion pictures into a shared public experience.

WHY/HOW did it happen?

The Lumière brothers were interested in improving motion picture technology. They developed the Cinématographe as a more practical alternative to earlier devices. The machine was lightweight, portable, and capable of both recording and projecting film. On December 28, 1895, they organized a public screening in Paris where people paid admission to watch moving pictures. The success of the event showed that audiences were interested in film as a form of entertainment and helped prove that motion pictures could become a profitable industry.

IMPORTANCE IN CINEMA HISTORY

The Lumière brothers' screening is considered one of the most important events in cinema history because it helped establish movies as a new form of entertainment. Before this event, motion pictures were mostly viewed individually through machines. The public screening demonstrated that audiences would gather together and pay money to watch films.

The event also encouraged filmmakers to experiment with different subjects and techniques. What began as simple recordings of everyday life eventually developed into narrative films, documentaries, animation, and many other forms of cinema. The screening helped create the foundation for movie theaters and the worldwide film industry that exists today.

EFFECT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF FILM

The Lumière brothers' public screening had a major impact on the development of film. It showed that people were willing to pay to watch motion pictures in a public setting. This helped transform film from a scientific invention into a popular form of entertainment. As interest in movies grew, filmmakers began experimenting with new storytelling techniques and technologies. The success of these early screenings helped inspire the creation of movie theaters and expanded the possibilities of filmmaking. Many aspects of modern cinema can be traced back to these first public screenings.

SUMMARY

In 1895, Auguste and Louis Lumière held one of the first public film screenings using their invention, the Cinématographe. The event took place in Paris and introduced audiences to projected motion pictures. This screening demonstrated that movies could be enjoyed as a shared experience and helped launch the growth of cinema as a popular form of entertainment. Because of its influence on movie theaters, filmmaking, and the film industry as a whole, many historians consider this event one of the most important moments in cinema history.

Works Cited (MLA)

"The Lumière Brothers." Encyclopaedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/biography/Lumiere-brothers. Accessed 10 June 2026.

"Where Film Began." British Film Institute, www.bfi.org.uk/features/where-film-began. Accessed 10 June 2026.

Video

(341) The Lumiere Brothers - First films (1895) - YouTube

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Alice Guy-Blaché Directs One of the First Narrative Films

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Alice Guy-Blaché Directs One of the First Narrative Films

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In 1896, Alice Guy-Blaché directed The Cabbage Fairy (La Fée aux Choux), one of the earliest narrative films in cinema history. At a time when most motion pictures simply recorded real-life events, Alice Guy-Blaché recognized that film could be used to tell stories. Her work helped transform cinema from a technological invention into a form of artistic storytelling.

Working for the Gaumont Company in France, Guy-Blaché became one of the first filmmakers to experiment with fictional narratives, special effects, hand-colored film, and synchronized sound. During her career, she directed, wrote, or produced hundreds of films and became one of the most influential pioneers of early cinema.

Despite these achievements, her contributions were largely forgotten for many years. Historians often focused on male filmmakers while overlooking her role in shaping the film industry. The documentary Be Natural: The Untold Story of Alice Guy-Blaché helped restore recognition to her accomplishments and showed how important she was to the development of motion picture storytelling.

Why It Matters:

Alice Guy-Blaché demonstrated that movies could be used to tell fictional stories, not just record reality. Her innovations helped establish many of the storytelling techniques that filmmakers still use today. She is now recognized as one of the founders of narrative cinema and one of the first film directors in history.

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When: 1908

Where: Incorporated in New Jersey but headquartered in New York City

Who: Thomas Edison

What: The Motion Picture Patents Company (MPPC), also known as the Edison Trust, was a trust comprised of ten of the largest film companies in the United States and Europe to control the growing motion picture industry. These companies included Edison, Vitagraph, Biograph, Essanay, Selig, Lubin, and Kalem; and the French companies Pathé, Méliès, and Gaumont. The group brought together important patents for cameras and other filmmaking technology, requiring filmmakers to purchase licenses before they could legally produce or exhibit movies. The MPPC also oversaw the distribution of film stock and worked closely with licensed theaters, making it impossible for independent filmmakers to compete. By controlling the technology and legal rights behind filmmaking, the Trust attempted to form a monopoly over the film industry.

Why/How: Prior to the formation of the company, Thomas Edison spent years involved in patent disputes with other filmmakers and producers because he owned many of the patents for motion picture technology. Instead of continuing with endless lawsuits, Edison gathered a group of several major companies to come together as a single organization that would enforce these patents. Through licensing agreements and lawsuits against unlicensed competitors, the Motion Picture Patents Company tried to eliminate all other competitors. However, many independent filmmakers wouldn't comply with The MPPC, which led them to lawsuits or their resources being taken away.

Importance in Cinema History: The Motion Picture Patents Company left a lasting impact on the history of cinema, even after it failed. To avoid the Trust's lawsuits, many independent filmmakers left the East Coast and relocated to Southern California, which allowed them to film year-round due to the warm weather. This migration helped Hollywood become the center of the film industry as we know it, and once the Trust disbanded, even more innovation was able to freely occur within Hollywood. The MPPC also showed the negative effects of monopolies on competition, as smaller filmmakers could barely survive under the Trust's control. However, once the government passed antitrust laws that dissolved Edison's Trust, more studios were able to expand, shaping the modern film industry.

Media: Explanation of how the Edison Trust drove filmmakers out of the East Coast  https://youtu.be/24AH2d6sGmA?si=BmP2s99eY4l1Jw0R (video)

Works Cited (MLA):

1. "Britannica Money.” Www.britannica.com, www.britannica.com/money/Motion-Picture-Patents-Company.

2. “Film History: The Motion Picture Patent Wars.” The Cinephile Fix, 22 May 2010, cinephilefix.com/2010/05/22/film-history-the-motion-picture-patent-wars-2/.

3. Sharman, Russell. “A Brief History of Cinema.” Uark.pressbooks.pub, 18 May 2020, uark.pressbooks.pub/movingpictures/chapter/a-brief-history-of-cinema/.

4. “The Edison Movie Monopoly.” Www.cobbles.com, www.cobbles.com/simpp_archive/edison_trust.htm.

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1910 Frankenstein Raqayyah Jackson

When did it happen?
The film Frankenstein was released on March 18, 1910.

Where did it develop?
It was made in the United States by the Edison Manufacturing Company in New York.

Who did it?
The film was directed by J. Searle Dawley and produced by Thomas Edison's film company. Charles Ogle played the monster.

What was it?
Frankenstein was the first movie adaptation of Mary Shelley's novel. It was a silent film that was about 16 minutes long. The story follows Victor Frankenstein, a scientist who creates a living creature through his experiments. Unlike many later versions, this movie focused more on the consequences of his actions and his inner struggles than on horror and violence.

Why/How did it happen?
At the time, filmmakers were looking for famous stories that people already knew and enjoyed. Since Mary Shelley's novel was already popular, it was chosen for a movie adaptation. The filmmakers also wanted to show that movies could tell serious stories and use creative special effects. To create the monster scene, they used a burning mannequin and played the film backward, making it look like the creature was forming on screen.

Importance in Cinema History
The 1910 version of Frankenstein is important because it was the first film adaptation of the novel and one of the earliest horror films ever made. It helped show that books could be successfully adapted into movies and inspired future horror films. The movie also introduced creative special effects that were impressive for the time. Even though it was believed to be lost for many years, it was later rediscovered and remains an important part of film history today.

Sources (MLA Format)

Dawley, J. Searle, director. Frankenstein. Edison Manufacturing Company, 1910.

“Frankenstein (1910).” Library of Congress, www.loc.gov.

“Frankenstein.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, www.britannica.com.

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1912 - The Launch of Solax Studios and Social Commentary in Early Narrative Film

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1912 - The Launch of Solax Studios and Social Commentary in Early Narrative Film

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When did it happen: 1912

Where did it develop: It was developed in Fort Lee, New Jersey, the central hub of the pre-Hollywood American film industry.

Who did it: It was directed, produced, and written by Alice Guy-Blaché, the co-founder of Solax Studios and cinema history’s first female film director.

What was it (detailed): It is the release of the silent short story film "Making an American Citizen" released in the year 1912. The film goes well beyond the era's primitive cinematic tricks and instead offers a one-reel comedy drama centered around the progressive themes of immigration, assimilation, and social justice. The story involves two immigrants who have just reached America: Ivan and Annie. The man faces difficulties understanding the customs of American society, and in doing so, makes his wife carry luggage and also abuses her publicly. During the course of the film, normal citizens of America punish Ivan and educate him through their eyes about treating women equally. Towards the end of the film, there comes a moral change in Ivan, and he starts treating his wife as his equal partner, hence turning into an "American citizen."

Why/how did it happen: The creation of the movie was driven by the need to take advantage of the power of motion picture narration in addressing practical social-political problems, including those related to immigrant adaptation and marital violence. As regards structure, the creation of the movie was enabled by the advanced production company she owned, known as Solax Studio. As the director of the actors, Guy-Blaché used her famous Solax Studio slogan, “Be natural,” encouraging actors to move beyond theatrical acting and adopt a realistic screen acting style.

Importance in cinema history: The importance of this film lies in the fact that it represents the transition of early cinema from "attraction", which refers to visual spectacle, into "narrative" cinema in the traditional Hollywood style. Guy-Blaché innovatively employed the language of film, including the employment of continuity techniques, framing, and staging, to effectively communicate her psychological intent without resorting to complicated dialogues. Additionally, the significance of this film historically is its direct challenge to the masculine narrative of film history. While she directed hundreds of films successfully, early film historians subjected Guy-Blaché to gender discrimination by either ignoring her role as director or assigning her films to her husband or male assistants. An American Citizen establishes that women invented storytelling through cinema and used it as a means for social criticism.

Media: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WSld4iEs04

https://uark.pressbooks.pub/movingpictures/chapter/a-brief-history-of-cinema/

https://www.britannica.com/art/history-of-film

Citations:

Guy-Blaché, Alice, director. Making an American Citizen. Solax Studios, 1912. YouTube, uploaded by Piso, 16 Sept. 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WSld4iEs04.

Lewis, Jon. Moving Pictures: An Introduction to Cinema. University of Arkansas Libraries, 2020. Chapter 1: "A Brief History of Cinema."

Sklar, Robert, and David A. Cook. "History of Film." Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc., www.britannica.com/art/history-of-film.

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1925 - "Battleship Potemkin Revolutionizes the Film Edit

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1925 - "Battleship Potemkin Revolutionizes the Film Edit

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In the early years of a tumultuous century a small group of radical artists and filmmakers saw a chance to remake art as we know it. Previously stifled by the whims of the old nobility and new industrial barons, the radial air of revolutionary Russia provided a fertile ground for experimentation the likes of which hadn’t previously been seen. The pinnacle of this movement was Sergei Eisenstein’s 1925 film Battleship Potemkin. It tells the true story of the Potempkin, a ship in the Tsarist navy that in 1905 experienced a mutiny by her sailors who then tried to free their home in Odessa, Ukraine.³ Potemkin was a progression of the form, using imagery that mirrored Marxist theories of dialectical materialism, which contend that history is made up of movements rather than individuals.⁴ Those forces clash over the long term through the dialectical process of thesis, antithesis, and synthesis. Best exemplified in the world famous sequence “The Odessa Steps,” large masses of Tsarist soldiers encircle the revolutionaries. By selectively cutting shots of people within the crowd the plights of different individuals are woven together to realize one collective experience. This was the invention of the montage and revolutionized the cinematic language.⁴ Eisenstein built a theory of dialectic conflict as the engine for the film medium, expanding on the work of his friend Lev Kuleshov.⁵ Battleship Potemkin was far ahead of its time, and when exported to the world in 1926 became a smash hit. It was subsequently banned in the United States and much of western Europe for its revolutionary themes.¹

The new methods of filmmaking represented a gap between art as delivered to the public and the new experiences of workers in industrialized society.² Rising literacy rates and political education constituted a challenge to the established orders of the west which contemporary governments worked hard to suppress. Emerging from war against counterrevolutionary elements sponsored by the UK and USA, the budding Soviet system had the freedom to meet the average person where they were, and it was this authentic bottom-up process which developed the visual lexicon we know today.² For a brief moment, this society where non-straight relationships were decriminalized and women were given full education and equal rights produced a heterogenous multiracial society emerged whose capacity to adapt was unprecedented. While the instability of the following decades would reverse many of these gains, the artistic advancements in all schools during this period became the touchstone for mid-century revivals of film and literature.

Works Cited

1. Bergan, Ronald. “Original Potemkin Beats the Censors after 79 Years.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 17 Feb. 2005, www.theguardian.com/film/2005/feb/17/festivals.berlinfilmfestival2005.

2. Chanan, Michael. “Cinemas in Revolution: 1920s Russia, 1960s Cuba.” Understanding Film: Marxist Perspectives, Pluto Press, London, England, 2005, pp. 232–245.

3. Raikar, Sanat Pai. "Potemkin (Russian battleship)". Encyclopedia Britannica, 20 May. 2024, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Potemkin-Russian-battleship. Accessed 13 June 2026.

4. Sklar, Robert, Cook, David A.. "Battleship Potemkin". Encyclopedia Britannica, 17 Dec. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Battleship-Potemkin. Accessed 13 June 2026.

5. Sklar, Robert, Cook, David A.. "History of film". Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 May. 2026, https://www.britannica.com/art/history-of-film. Accessed 13 June 2026.

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1925 - "Battleship Potemkin" Revolutionizes the film edit

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1925 - "Battleship Potemkin" Revolutionizes the film edit

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1927: "The Jazz Singer" The First Movie Musical

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1927: "The Jazz Singer" The First Movie Musical

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When Did It Happen?

1927

Where Did It Develop?

The film was produced in Hollywood by Warner Bros and premiered in New York City. The sound technology used in the film, called the Vitaphone system, was developed in the United States and adopted by Warner Bros to compete with larger film studios.

Who Did It?

The film was directed by Alan Crosland and starred Al Jolson, one of the most famous actors of the 1920s. Warner Bros. executives made huge investments in sound technology, helping to bring synchronized sound films to mainstream audiences.

What Was It?

"The Jazz Singer" is about Jakie Rabinowitz, a young man who dreams of becoming a popular singer, but his family expects that he follow religious traditions. While most of the film still used silent-film title cards, several scenes featured synchronized songs and spoken dialogue. The most famous moment in the movie is when Al Jolson says, “You ain't heard nothin' yet!” This line became symbolic of the arrival of sound cinema.

The film used the Vitaphone process, which synchronized a phonograph record with the projected film. This allowed audiences to hear music, singing, and portions of spoken dialogue while watching the movie.

Why/How Did It Happen?

During the 1920s, film studios were looking for ways to attract larger audiences. Advances in sound recording technology made synchronized sound much more commercially accessible. Warner Bros., a relatively small studio at the time, took a big financial risk by investing in the Vitaphone system.

The success of "The Jazz Singer" showed that audiences were excited by talking pictures. Its popularity encouraged studios across Hollywood to abandon silent films and adopt sound technology. Within just a few years, silent films had largely disappeared from mainstream cinema.

Importance in Cinema History

The importance of The Jazz Singer cannot be overstated. It launched the era of the "talkies" and transformed every aspect of filmmaking. Actors now needed strong speaking voices, screenwriters had to create dialogue, theaters installed sound equipment, and filmmakers developed new production techniques.

The film also helped establish the movie musical as a popular genre. More importantly, it significantly sped up Hollywood's transition from silent cinema to synchronized sound. This revolutionary technology changed how stories were told and how audiences experienced movies.

Today, The Jazz Singer is reflected on as one of the most influential films ever made because it marked the beginning of modern sound cinema and permanently altered the future of the modern movie.

Video

A famous clip from The Jazz Singer can be found here:

https://youtu.be/9v4DrYNNHlo?si=ITSf7Z4Ntdg5Ybms

Links for More Information

Warner Bros. History

Encyclopaedia Britannica: The Jazz Singer

Works Cited (MLA)

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “The Jazz Singer.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Jazz-Singer-film-1927.

Crafton, Donald. The Talkies: American Cinema's Transition to Sound, 1926–1931. University of California Press, 1999.

Eyman, Scott. The Speed of Sound: Hollywood and the Talkie Revolution, 1926–1930. Simon & Schuster, 1997.

“The Jazz Singer.” American Film Institute Catalog, American Film Institute, https://catalog.afi.com.

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1937: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – The First Full-Length Animated Feature Film

When Did It Happen?

December 21, 1937

Where Did It Develop?

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was produced in Hollywood, California, by Walt Disney Productions. The film premiered at the Carthay Circle Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Who Did It?

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was created by Walt Disney and produced by Walt Disney Productions. Hundreds of artists, animators, writers, and musicians participated in creating the film. Thanks to Walt Disney's leadership, this challenging and complex project was completed despite numerous objections of various critics and professionals from the industry.

What Was It?

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was inspired by the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm and tells the story of Snow White, a young princess, who had to escape from her envious stepmother, the Evil Queen. She finds shelter in the forest and makes friends with seven dwarfs, who take care of her.

This film marked the first time when a full-length animated feature film was produced in the United States and one of the first times in general in the history of the medium.

Why/How Did It Happen?

In the 1930s, animations were considered short, about five-minute movies that could be played prior to the beginning of any film. No one expected that anyone would watch a full-length animated picture. Therefore, many critics gave the film a derogatory name "Disney's folly."

Walt Disney firmly believed in the capabilities of animation and spent several years and millions of dollars to create the film. His artists invented new techniques of animation and introduced multi-plane cameras, which increased the level of realism of the movie. The creation of the film lasted more than three years and required the work of hundreds of artists.

Importance in Cinema History

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is an extremely important event in the history of cinema. This movie showed that full-length animated films can be commercial successes and animation should be taken seriously as a form of filmmaking.

It helped Walt Disney become a prominent producer and paved the way for other animation films such as Pinocchio, Fantasia, and Bambi. To this day, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is considered one of the most significant works of all time since it revolutionized animated stories and proved that animations can be highly acclaimed artistic achievements.

Video

Search YouTube for:

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Original 1937 Trailer"

Works Cited (MLA)

Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Snow-White-and-the-Seven-Dwarfs-film-1937.

"The Creation of a Classic: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." The Walt Disney Family Museum, https://www.waltdisney.org/exhibitions/snow-white-and-seven-dwarfs-creation-classic.

"How Disney's Snow White Elevated Animation to New Heights." History.com, A&E Television Networks, https://www.history.com/articles/disney-snow-white-full-length-animated-feature-film.

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1939: The release of The Wizard of Oz + (Matthew Sotelo) 

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1939: The release of The Wizard of Oz + (Matthew Sotelo) 

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WHEN did it happen

The film had its official release in the US on August 25, 1939. This was after test screening done beforehand

WHERE did it develop

The film was filmed in a massive indoor soundstage of MGM Studios lot located in Culver City, California.

WHO did it

The film was produced by Mervyn LeRoy for MGM. While there were many people directing the film, it was most credited to Victor Fleming.

WHAT was it (in more detail)

It was a musical fantasy adaptation of the 1900’s novel made by L. Frank Baum’s. The film uses Three- Strip Technicolor, which is an advanced processing method that utilizes a prism inside of a camera to record and separate green, red, and blue records on three different black and white films.

WHY/HOW did it happen

It happened because MGM wanted a high budget, massive fantasy film to help compete with Walt Disneys, Snow white and the Seven Dwarfs. This became more like a competition where MGM had to compete with Disney, making a full-length fantasy story in vibrant color. It proved more so a full studio can outdo animation. This became a bigger power move with MGM’s studio head Louis B. Mayer as he wanted to be the ultimate studio. This film was a massive risk but was calculated just to determine complete dominance in the industry.

IMPORTANCE IN CINEMA: HISTORY what was the effect on the overall development of the film medium/industry

Before, this movie-colored cinema was viewed as a gimmick or something for more minor films and historical epics. The Wizard of Oz changed this mindset by using color as a narrative device and metaphoric tool. During this time it was toward the end of World War 2 with an anxious and depressed audience. With it making people not just simply look at the color but feel it as well giving a more moral boost. This changed everything on a cinematic scale with the requirements and coordination between departments. To gain this level, there had to be amazing collaboration between camera development, makeup, costume, and scenic painters. The blueprint to make it requires special paining techniques, heat resistant prosthetics, and complex camera illusions.

MEDIA Include at least one additional image, one video, two links for more information

https://artofthemovies.co.uk/blogs/original-movie-posters/the-wizard-of-oz-the-magic-the-myths-and-the-munchkins?srsltid=AfmBOoo2YhRI57YJwBMPn5Vqi-2GP3dE8Takaz45x4t-F1xIZpywi6z0

https://warnerbros.fandom.com/wiki/The_Wizard_of_Oz_(1939_film)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ot2z0vVKwMs

CITATIONS:

Figgis, Laurence. "The Wizard of Oz at the Glasgow Britannia Panoptican." Corp'rate Day: Thoughts on Art and Fiction, 31 July 2012, www.laurencefiggis.co.uk/psyche-in-oz/. Accessed 14 June 2026.

United States Census Bureau. "History and the Census: The Wizard of Oz." United States Census Bureau, U.S. Department of Commerce, 1 Aug. 2023, www.census.gov/about/history/stories/monthly/2023/august-2023.html. Accessed 14 June 2026.

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1940 Hattie McDaniel Becomes the First Black Actor to Win an Oscar- Maria Hernandez

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1940 Hattie McDaniel Becomes the First Black Actor to Win an Oscar- Maria Hernandez

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Hattie McDaniel won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress on February 29, 1940. This happened during the 12th Academy Awards in Hollywood, which connects this event to the history of the American film industry and the Academy Awards. McDaniel was an African American actress, singer, and performer, and she won for playing Mammy in Gone with the Wind.

What makes this moment important is that McDaniel became the first Black actor to win an Academy Award. That is a huge part of cinema history, but the moment is also complicated. Gone with the Wind was a major Hollywood film, but McDaniel’s role was still based on the limited roles Black actors were usually given at the time. She played Mammy, a housemaid and formerly enslaved woman. During that time, Black actors were often only allowed to play maids, cooks, servants, or other stereotyped characters.

McDaniel had already worked as a singer, radio performer, and actress before winning the Oscar. According to History.com, she appeared in many servant roles during the 1930s because those were the kinds of roles Black actresses were usually allowed to have in Hollywood. Even with those limits, she still brought personality and strength to her performances. Her role in Gone with the Wind was recognized by the Academy, which led to her winning Best Supporting Actress in 1940.

The importance of this event in cinema history is that it broke a major racial barrier at the Academy Awards. McDaniel’s win showed that Black performers could be recognized by one of the biggest institutions in film. At the same time, it also shows how unfair Hollywood still was. Her win was progress, but it happened in a system where Black actors were still mostly offered roles shaped by stereotypes. To me, that makes this moment powerful, but also not simple. It was not just a happy moment in film history. It was also a reminder of how limited representation was and how much farther Hollywood still needed to go.

McDaniel’s Oscar matters because it opened a door, but it also shows that representation is not only about being included. It is also about what kinds of roles people are allowed to play and what kinds of stories the film industry chooses to value.

Media:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7t4pTNZshA

“Hattie McDaniel Wins Supporting Actress: 1940 Oscars.” YouTube, uploaded by Oscars

Citations:

History.com Editors. “Hattie McDaniel Becomes First African American Actress to Win Oscar.” History, A&E Television Networks, 24 Nov. 2009, updated 27 May 2025, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/february-29/mcdaniel-wins-oscar.

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Hattie McDaniel winning Best Supporting Actress: 12th Oscars (1940)

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1946: Jean Cocteau’s "La Belle et la Bête" (Beauty and the Beast)

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1946: Jean Cocteau’s "La Belle et la Bête" (Beauty and the Beast)

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Who & When: In 1946, the visionary French director, poet, and artist Jean Cocteau brought the classic French fairytale "La Belle et la Bête" to the big screen, starring Josette Day as Belle and Jean Marais as the Beast.

What Happened: Cocteau created a landmark masterpiece of cinematic fantasy and formalism during the post-WWII era. Instead of following the realistic, documentary-style trends of the time, he used cinema to create a poetic, dream-like world. This film proved that adult fairytales could be taken seriously as high art, heavily influencing how fantasy, romance, and magic would be portrayed in movies for the next several decades (including the later Disney adaptations)

How it was Developed: Because digital effects didn't exist, Cocteau had to develop ingenious practical effects and camera tricks to make the magic look real. He utilized reverse cinematography (filming actions backward and playing them forward, like smoke being sucked back into a candle or Belle gliding effortlessly through hallways). He also used brilliant production design, like creating living human statues whose real arms came out of the castle walls to hold candelabras. Furthermore, the Beast's makeup was a massive technical development, requiring five hours of meticulous application every single day. The film's gorgeous, low-key lighting was directly inspired by the classic paintings of Vermeer, making every frame look like a living piece of art.

Sources:

https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/262-la-belle-et-la-bete-the-visions-of-cocteau

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Beauty-and-the-Beast-film-by-Cocteau

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La Belle et la Bête – French trailer with English subtitles

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1966 - The Battle of Algiers' War of Survival

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1966 - The Battle of Algiers' War of Survival

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After World War 2, the colonial system began to crumble as European empires were no longer able to maintain their massive territories throughout the global south. The greatest holdings in Africa were those of France, who owned all of west Africa and still today exerts control of the regions’ finances and deploys soldiers throughout the region. The Battle of Algiers was released in 1966 as a tribute to the brutal conflicts that stemmed from the chaos of these collapsing nations. It depicts Algeria, a society segregated into the white urban center in Algiers and the country surrounding the cities where the native peoples were still the majority. T Italian director Gillo Pontecorvo flew to shoot his film on-location in Algiers, using non-actors for the vast majority of roles.² He depicts a war where blood is spilt on both sides, where even the sympathetic revolutionaries commit terrorist acts that their people might be free. His film was a landmark in the Third Cinema movement, which depicts the struggle of the Third World against imperialism and uses the same direct, lingering style utilized by Pontecorvo.

Socially, The Battle of Algiers’ impact cannot be understated. This is the time of Vietnam, the time when Patrice Lumumba of the Congo was brutally slain. A film honestly showing a Western military brutally torturing dissidents and violently repressing a massive underclass of native people was completely out of step with the more sanitized portrayal in the media at the time. In his review of the film, Roger Ebert stated plainly “those not interested in Algeria may substitute another war; ‘The Battle of Algiers’ has a universal frame of reference.”¹ As a result, the film was banned in France for years after its release, and heavily censored before release in the US and UK.⁴ Even today, imperialist governments use it as an example of the dangers of revolt from those they deem less-than. In fact in 2003, the New York Times reported that screenings of the film were held in the Pentagon.³ Chilling, with the historical context that brutal torture and sexual abuse of prisoners eerily echoing the treatment of Algerians within the film would soon be uncovered by a series of exposés later in the decade.

Works Cited

1. Ebert, Roger. “The Battle of Algiers.” RogerEbert.Com, 30 May 1968, www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-battle-of-algiers-1968.

2. Pfeiffer, Lee. "The Battle of Algiers". Encyclopedia Britannica, 4 Mar. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Battle-of-Algiers. Accessed 17 June 2026.

3. Kaufman, Michael. “The World: Film Studies; What Does the Pentagon See in ‘Battle of Algiers’? (Published 2003).” The New York Times, 7 Sept. 2003, www.nytimes.com/2003/09/07/weekinreview/the-world-film-studies-what-does-the-pentagon-see-in-battle-of-algiers.html.

4. von Tunzelmann, Alex. “Alex von Tunzelmann on the Battle of Algiers: A Masterpiece of Historical Accuracy.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 26 Mar. 2009, www.theguardian.com/film/2009/mar/26/the-battle-of-algiers-film-historical-accuracy.

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In 1968, Graeme Ferguson, Roman Kroitor, Robert Kerr, and William C. Shaw founded the Image Maximum (earlier known as Multiscreen according to the National Air and Space Museum) corporation in Montreal, Quebec, Canada and developed the technology and film format we now know by that name. The combined effect of larger screens, higher resolution, and advanced audio systems is used to create a more visceral cinematic experience.

Initially, science centers and museums were where Image Maximum (IMAX) films were primarily present. But as the popularity of IMAX technology increased with the massive releases of Fantasia (2000) and The Dark Knight (2008), a lot of progress has been made with the presence of IMAX feature films throughout years. Now almost all of Hollywood’s major blockbusters are filmed either with or for IMAX. Since this technology’s inception nearly 60 years ago, this is the most we have experienced its impact. One of last year’s biggest commercial and critical successes was Ryan Coogler’s Sinners. A major part of the movie’s visual appeal has to with using IMAX technology along with 70 mm film. As part of the film’s marketing campaign, Coogler released a 10-minute educational video on the different film formats and how/why they’re used (see link attached for video). This technology triggered a trend of filmmakers explaining the technical behind-the-scenes of their films for mass viewership.

With more people having access to IMAX, the more the demand increases as it is a beloved addition to the cinematic experience. With a higher demand, more productions are investing in the use of IMAX which allows filmmakers to further push the boundaries of this relatively young artform. However, with how quickly the demand for IMAX films is rising worldwide, there are increasing frustrations due to the production of these films outpacing the production of theaters that can deliver those experiences. Even though more than 800 IMAX theaters had been built in over 50 countries (according to EBSCO), accessibility remains an issue.

IMAX technology allows for a more visceral audience experience by using larger screens, higher resolution, and advanced audio systems. It has broadened the horizon for Hollywood’s blockbuster scene and proven to be a creative boon for many of our leading filmmakers while continuing to inspire upcoming generations on the big screen. With all the potential IMAX proves to have, its lack of sites on a global scale is proving that there needs to be more funding allocated for audiences to actually have those cinematic experiences.

Works Cited:

1. Pisano, Dominick A. “IMAX—Not the First, but Close!” National Air and Space Museum, 3 May 2010, https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/imax-not-first-close. Accessed 14 June 2026.

2. Cooper, Patrick G. “IMAX.” EBSCO Research Starters, EBSCO Information Services, 2021, https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/arts-and-entertainment/imax. Accessed 14 June 2026.

3. Ryan Coogler. “Aspect Ratios with Sinners Director Ryan Coogler.” YouTube, uploaded by Kodak, 10 Apr. 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Ru62uFM0s. Accessed 14 June 2026.

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Aspect Ratios with Sinners Director Ryan Coogler

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1972: The Godfather and the Rebirth of Hollywood Cinema (Antrell Smith)

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1972: The Godfather and the Rebirth of Hollywood Cinema (Antrell Smith)

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What Happened: In March 1972, Paramount Pictures released a movie called The Godfather, directed by Francis Ford Coppola. Before this movie, Hollywood studios were losing a lot of money because younger audiences stopped going to see old-fashioned movies. At the same time, older gangster movies usually showed criminals as simple, bad guys. The Godfather changed everything by showing a mob family with deep emotion, respect, and complex relationships. It became a massive hit, broke box office records, and won Best Picture at the Oscars.

Why It Matters to Film History: The Godfather is important because it helped save Hollywood from a major financial crisis. Its massive success proved that artistic, serious dramas could still make an incredible amount of money. This success gave young filmmakers in the 1970s the freedom to make darker, more realistic movies. It also completely changed how pop culture looks at mafia and gangster stories. Today, almost every mob movie or TV show, like Goodfellas or The Sopranos, is heavily influenced by the style and music of The Godfather.

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1975 – Birth of the Blockbuster with "Jaws" (Demario Sutton)

WHEN did it occur?

June 20, 1975

WHERE was it developed?

USA, universal nationwide release by Universal Pictures

WHO created it?

Steven Spielberg directed

WHAT was created?

A thrilling film "Jaws," featuring a terrifying great white shark terrorizing the seaside town of Amity Island. Jaws stars include Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw. The film was based on the book written by Peter Benchley. In Jaws, Steven Spielberg showed a little bit of the great white shark due to technical difficulties, which inadvertently made the movie more scary.

WHY / HOW did it occur?

The film industry of the 1970s experienced significant experimentation. Universal Pictures put tremendous efforts into promoting "Jaws" in advertising campaigns such as television commercials. Rather than gradually being shown in different cities, "Jaws" had a national debut in hundreds of theaters throughout the United States.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE IN THE CINEMA WORLD

"Jaws" is believed to be a first true summer blockbuster. Until that time, films would gradually expand nationwide. The success of "Jaws" showed that a nationwide release coupled with intensive marketing would earn enormous revenue quickly. The film grossed much more money than any other movie before and changed the approach of promotion and marketing.

FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF THE IDEA

"Jaws" had an essential influence on other blockbusters including the Star Wars series. Moreover, the movie paved a way for Spielberg as a legendary director. Jaws' editing, famous music composed by John Williams, and revolutionary techniques of filming became a textbook example for students of film schools.

SUMMARY AND SIGNIFICANCE

In conclusion, we see that the idea of a blockbuster film came to life in 1975 when Steven Spielberg filmed "Jaws." The movie became the first blockbuster film that demonstrated that a nationwide release and intense marketing would lead to great revenue and profits.

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1977:  Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (Isabella Mendez)

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1977:  Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (Isabella Mendez)

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WHEN and WHERE:

On May 25th, 1977, the major film Star Wars was released. The first film in this now grand collection of films was called Star Wars: A New Hope. It was produced by Geroge Lucas, developed in Marin County, California, and filmed in Hertfordshire, England.

WHO did it:

Star Wars was produced by George Lucas, the music in the film was composed by John Williams, and the film was edited by Marcia Lucas.

WHAT:

Star Wars is a film that revived and revitalized the Science Fiction genre. It focuses on the battle between the sides of good and evil in far off galaxies. This first film is a part of a larger trilogy, the first part called the Prequel Trilogy. It follows the tales of Anakin Skywalker, a young and talented Jedi. He later becomes the main villain of the series, Darth Vader. The film depicts mental and physical battles between charters, building strong themes and a foundation for the expansive sequel films that follow.

WHY:

When going back to the origins and inspirations behind this film, the influence of history and other media was at play. One major influence was World War II and Nazi Germany. From the name of the assault forces that protected the Galactic Empire sharing a name with the defenders of the Nazis, the stormtroopers, to the resemblance of Nazi rallies in the final scene of the film where Princess Leia awards Luke Skywalker and Han Solo medals.  Additionally, Lucas produced this film to open a new world of film and expand the genre of Sci-fi. He aimed to build a new subgenre that enticed a younger audience, something that contrasted the dark and more dystopian content that was currently in the media industry.

Importance in Cinematic History: Effect on overall development of film industry

Star Wars goes down as one of the most revolutionary films of all time. Firstly, the visuals were eye opening. The production of this film needed visual effects that didn't exist so Lucas invented motion control, digital compositing and realistic creatures. Additionally, Lucas emphasized the importance of quality sound and audio within his films. Much of this emphasis and attention to detail is able to be seen in current media within the “whispered echoes in sci-fi to the rumble of an explosion” (Ward). Without the innovation that Lucas brought to the table, the genre of science fiction and the elaborate technology and techniques within the film industry would not be present.

Works Cited:
‌Klein, Christopher. “The Real History That Inspired “Star Wars” | HISTORY.” HISTORY, 17 Dec. 2015, www.history.com/articles/the-real-history-that-inspired-star-wars.

‌‌Myint, B. “George Lucas and the Origin Story behind “Star Wars.”” Biography, 14 Oct. 2020, www.biography.com/movies-tv/george-lucas-star-wars-facts.

Ward, Callum. “How George Lucas Changed the Film Industry Forever.” Film Obsessive, 20 Oct. 2025, filmobsessive.com/film/film-analysis/filmmakers/how-george-lucas-changed-the-film-industry-forever/.

Weitekamp, Margaret. “How Star Wars Revolutionized Entertainment.” National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian, 19 Dec. 2019, airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/how-star-wars-revolutionized-entertainment.

Further Research:

Image: Attached above

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAtULl3ExUo

Additional Information: https://platt.edu/blog/a-breakdown-of-the-visual-effects-used-in-the-star-wars-franchise/

Additional Information: https://www.nsf.gov/science-matters/1970s-psychology-experiment-behind-star-wars-special-effects

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1989: Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing and the Rise of New Black Realism 

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1989: Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing and the Rise of New Black Realism 

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When did it happen: June 30, 1989.

Where did it develop: It was developed and shot entirely on a single block of Stuyvesant Avenue between Quincy Street and Lexington Avenue in the Bedford-Stuyvesant (Bed-Stuy) neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.

Who did it: The film was written, directed, produced, and starred Spike Lee.

What was it (detailed): "Do the Right Thing" is a classic comedy-drama movie that details the growing tensions between races on an extremely hot summer day in a Brooklyn neighborhood. The storyline centers around the main character, Mookie, an African American male who works at Sal's Famous Pizzeria as a pizza delivery guy. As the temperature rises, the minor issues of personal annoyance become larger issues of a whole systematic conflict about ownership, gentrification, and ethnic presence in the neighborhood. This tension comes to the breaking point after the local youth named Radio Raheem is killed by the police department, consisting of two white officers, as a result of a fight that occurred at the restaurant. Following this tragic event, Mookie throws a trash can through the window of Sal's pizzeria, which then results in riots and the destruction of the building. The movie ends with a controversial ideological statement that juxtaposes the philosophies of Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X.

Why/how did it happen: Lee had an ideological motivation to produce this movie due to actual events of racial violence and discrimination in New York in the 1980s, involving the deaths of black people, such as Michael Stewart and Eleanor Bumpurs, at the hands of the police and the infamous racial incident in Howard Beach. The heat of the summer was psychologically captured on film using high levels of formality in the aesthetics by collaborating closely with cinematographer Ernest Dickerson. This involved using colors rich in saturation by eliminating blue and green hues in order to emphasize the imbalance and instability of the neighborhood socially.

Importance in cinema history: This film was pivotal in the history of cinema, as it fundamentally changed how the American film industry would address issues such as race, city life, and politics. Do The Right Thing launched the "New Black Realism" movement that would define the end of the 1980s and early 1990s. As a result, many independent black filmmakers were allowed into studios to produce films in which they could talk freely about institutionalized racism. The film broke the rule that required movies featuring minorities to have a positive message for white audiences. Additionally, it was revolutionary in the sense that it made the viewer aware of his/her personal subconscious biases.

Media:

https://www.deepfocusreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Do-the-Right-Thing-1989.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT2al2t2jnU

https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/6447-do-the-right-thing-waking-up-the-neighborhood

https://www.loc.gov/static/programs/national-film-preservation-board/documents/do_the_right_thing.pdf

Citations:

Lee, Spike, director. Do the Right Thing. Universal Pictures, 1989. YouTube, uploaded by thecultbox, 12 Feb. 2011, www.youtube.com/watch?v=BT2al2t2jnU.

Pramaggiore, Maria, and Tom Wallis. Film: A Critical Introduction. 4th ed., Laurence King Publishing, 2020, sites.euro.ubbcluj.ro/id/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Pramaggiore-Film.-A-Critical-introduction.pdf.

Ebert, Roger. "Do the Right Thing Movie Review." RogerEbert.com, 30 June 1989, www.rogerebert.com/reviews/do-the-right-thing-1989.

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1993 Jurassic Park - CGI in Film

In 1993 the blockbuster film Jurassic Park was released and would change cinema forever by introducing groundbreaking CGI dinosaurs that appeared to be alive.

When: The film Jurassic Park was released on June 11, 1993

Where: CGI technology was primarily developed in California at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), a visual effects company founded by George Lucas.

Who: Director of Jurassic Park - Steven Spielberg

Founder of ILM - George Lucas

Creator of the film’s animatronic dinosaurs - Stan Winston

What: Before Jurassic Park filmmakers mostly relied on other practical effects to create creatures such as stop motion animation and puppets. Jurassic Park combined advanced CGI with animatronic dinosaurs to create realistic dinosaurs that even moved and behaved like living animals. The film had computer generated dinosaur models, advanced digital animation, and animatronic effects. Although CGI has been used before, Jurassic Park showed that it could create realistic characters and creatures on a never before seen scale in cinema.

Why/How: Originally Steven Spielberg, the director of Jurassic Park, planned to use stop motion animation for the dinosaurs. However, when ILM created CGI test animations that were so realistic Spielberg decided to change course and used the computer generated dinosaurs for many scenes.Several factors made this possible such as the improvements in computer technology, advances in 3D modeling and animation software, and more. This combination of technology and creativity produced many groundbreaking visual effects that would go on to change filmmaking.

Importance in Cinema History: Jurassic Park is widely regarded as one of the most influential technological milestones in film history. It revolutionized cinema by successfully combining groundbreaking CGI with life-sized animatronics. They were able to seamlessly create an illusion of living, breathing dinosaurs. The success of Jurassic Park’s proved CGI could create believable living creatures and revolutionized visual effects as a whole. It would go on to influence future films such as Avatar, Titanic, and even the Matrix. Jurassic Park convinced filmmakers that computers could be used beyond simply the visual enhancements but even for major storytelling elements. The film as a whole helped establish CGI as a standard tool in modern filmmaking and even transformed how movies are produced today.

Media:

Behind the scenes of making the dinosaurs

Additional Info:

https://www.ilm.com/creating-dinosaurs-jurassic-park/

https://today.charleston.edu/2025/07/07/jurassic-evolution-digital-animation-visual-effects/

Sources:

Eldridge, Alison. "Jurassic Park". Encyclopedia Britannica, 16 May. 2026, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Jurassic-Park-film-by-Spielberg.

“Jurassic Park Visual Effects.” Industrial Light & Magic, www.ilm.com/vfx/jurassic-park/

Annya Reyes

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1994 – Crooklyn

Raqayyah Jackson

When did it happen?

Crooklyn was released on May 13, 1994.

Where did it develop?

The film was developed and filmed in Brooklyn, New York, especially in neighborhoods similar to where Spike Lee grew up. The movie takes place in Bedford-Stuyvesant during the early 1970s.

Who did it?

Crooklyn was directed by Spike Lee and co-written by his siblings Joie Lee and Cinqué Lee. The film stars Alfre Woodard, Delroy Lindo, and Zelda Harris.

What was it?

Crooklyn is a coming-of-age film based on Spike Lee’s childhood memories. The story follows Troy Carmichael, a young girl growing up in Brooklyn with her parents and four brothers. The movie focuses on family life, friendship, neighborhood culture, and the challenges of growing up in a working-class Black family during the 1970s. Unlike many films of the time, it highlights everyday family experiences and strong community connections.

Why/How did it happen?

The idea for Crooklyn came from Spike Lee’s sister, Joie Lee, who wanted to tell a story based on their childhood experiences. She worked with their brother Cinqué Lee to create the screenplay. After the idea was not developed into a television series, Spike Lee decided to turn it into a feature film. Because the story was inspired by his own life, it became one of his most personal and heartfelt movies.

Importance in Cinema History

Crooklyn is important in cinema history because it gave audiences an authentic look at Black family life that was not often shown in mainstream Hollywood films. The movie celebrated culture, family, and community while preserving memories of Brooklyn in the 1970s. It also showed that films about ordinary families could have a powerful impact on audiences. The film helped expand representation in American cinema and remains one of Spike Lee’s most respected and beloved works.

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjzqO6UOPFQ

Additional Images

1. Crooklyn movie poster

2. Spike Lee on the set of Crooklyn

Links for More Information

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109504/

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Spike-Lee

MLA Works Cited

Lee, Spike, director. Crooklyn. Universal Pictures, 1994.

“Crooklyn.” IMDb, www.imdb.com/title/tt0109504/. Accessed 18 June 2026.

“Spike Lee.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/biography/Spike-Lee. Accessed 18 June 2026

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The Release of Toy Story and the Rise of Computer Animation

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The Release of Toy Story and the Rise of Computer Animation

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1995:Pixar released Toy Story, the first feature-length film created entirely with computer-generated animation (CGI). Directed by John Lasseter, the film told the story of toys that come to life when humans are not around. While the story was entertaining for both children and adults, the film's greatest achievement was its groundbreaking use of computer technology.

Before Toy Story, animated films were primarily created through hand-drawn techniques. Pixar demonstrated that computers could be used to create a full-length animated movie with detailed characters, environments, and visual effects. The film was both a critical and commercial success, proving that computer animation could become a major part of the film industry.

The success of Toy Story led to rapid growth in computer-generated filmmaking. Studios around the world began investing in CGI technology, and many animated films that followed adopted similar techniques. The movie also helped establish Pixar as one of the most influential animation studios in the world.Why It Matters:

Toy Story changed the future of animation by introducing a new way to create movies. Its success helped launch the digital animation era and influenced countless animated films released over the following decades. Today, computer-generated animation is one of the most common forms of animation used in filmmaking.

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1997 – Titanic Becomes a Global Box Office Phenomenon

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1997 – Titanic Becomes a Global Box Office Phenomenon

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YEAR

1997

WHAT HAPPENED

The release of Titanic, which became the highest-grossing movie of all time at the time.

WHEN

December 19, 1997

WHERE

United States

WHO

James Cameron

WHAT WAS IT?

In 1997, Titanic was released and quickly became a worldwide phenomenon. The film tells the story of the sinking of the RMS Titanic through the fictional romance between Jack and Rose. It combined historical events, emotional storytelling, large-scale sets, and groundbreaking visual effects.

The movie was one of the most expensive films ever made at the time. James Cameron worked to recreate the Titanic as accurately as possible, building huge sets and using advanced computer-generated imagery (CGI) to bring the disaster to life.

WHY/HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

Advances in visual effects technology during the 1990s allowed filmmakers to create realistic scenes that would have been impossible years earlier. Cameron's attention to detail and commitment to historical accuracy helped make the film feel realistic. Strong performances and an emotional story also connected with audiences around the world.

IMPORTANCE IN CINEMA HISTORY

Titanic showed that large-budget films could combine spectacular visuals with emotional storytelling. It won 11 Academy Awards and became the highest-grossing film ever at the time. Its success encouraged studios to invest in ambitious projects and pushed visual effects technology forward.

EFFECT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF FILM

The film raised expectations for visual effects, production design, and historical filmmaking. It demonstrated that audiences would support long, dramatic films if the story was engaging. Many later blockbuster films followed the model of combining advanced technology with emotional character-driven stories.

SUMMARY

The release of Titanic in 1997 was a major moment in film history. Through its use of groundbreaking visual effects, detailed production design, and emotional storytelling, it became one of the most successful and influential movies ever made. Its impact can still be seen in modern filmmaking today.

MLA Sources

Cameron, James, director. Titanic. Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox, 1997.

“Titanic.” Encyclopaedia Britannica, Encyclopaedia Britannica, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Titanic-film-1997.

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1999  The Blair Witch Project and the Rise of Found-Footage Horror -Maria Hernandez

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1999  The Blair Witch Project and the Rise of Found-Footage Horror -Maria Hernandez

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The Blair Witch Project was released in 1999 and became one of the most well-known horror films of that time. The film was made in the United States and is connected to Burkittsville, Maryland, where the movie’s fictional Blair Witch legend takes place. It was created by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez and starred Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua Leonard as three student filmmakers who go into the woods to make a documentary and then disappear.

I picked The Blair Witch Project because I love scary movies, and I thought this was a good film history topic since it changed the way horror could be made and marketed. The movie is presented as found footage, meaning it looks like raw camera footage discovered after something bad happened. Instead of looking like a regular Hollywood horror movie, it looks shaky, rough, and almost real. The story follows three student filmmakers who go into the woods to investigate a local legend, but things become more disturbing as they get lost and start to panic.

The movie became popular because of both its style and its marketing. It did not depend on a huge budget, famous actors, or expensive special effects. A lot of the fear came from confusion, darkness, sounds, and the fact that the viewer never fully sees what is happening. A fun fact is that when the movie first came out, many people believed the story might actually be real. The marketing helped create that feeling because the actors were presented almost like missing people, and the internet was used to make the legend seem more believable. This was a big deal because the internet was still newer as a marketing tool for movies.

The Blair Witch Project is important in cinema history because it helped make found-footage horror popular with mainstream audiences. It also showed that a low-budget independent movie could become a huge cultural event if the idea and marketing were strong enough. To me, this matters because it proved that horror did not always need expensive effects or a clear monster on screen to be scary. Sometimes what the audience does not see can be just as scary as what they do see. The film also influenced later movies like Paranormal Activity and Cloverfield. It changed how people thought about horror marketing because the story around the movie became part of the experience too.

Media:

Video: “The Blair Witch Project (1999) - Official Trailer” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBZ-POVsrlI

Citations:

IMDb. “The Blair Witch Project.” IMDb, www.imdb.com/title/tt0185937/.

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The Blair Witch Project (1999) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

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When Did It Happen?

2007 – Ratatouille was released on June 29, 2007, and quickly became one of Pixar’s most memorable animated films. The movie came out during a time when computer animation was becoming more advanced and starting to change what audiences expected from animated movies. Instead of only focusing on comedy or simple stories, Pixar was creating films that had deeper themes and emotional messages that could connect with a large audience of all ages.

Where Did It Develop?

Ratatouille was created at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, California, and released through Walt Disney Studios. Even though it was made in the United States, the story takes place in Paris, France, which plays a huge role in the movie. The city’s culture, restaurants, and love for food are a central plot point throughout the movie.

Who Did It?

The movie was directed by Brad Bird, who helped bring the story to its final version. The main character, Remy, was voiced by Patton Oswalt. Other important characters included Linguini, a young restaurant worker trying to find his place, and Anton Ego, a serious food critic voiced by Peter O'Toole.

What Is It?

Ratatouille is a computer-animated movie about Remy, a rat who has a passion for cooking and big dreams of becoming a chef. The problem is that the world of professional cooking does not exactly accept a rat working in a restaurant. Remy eventually teams up with Linguini, and together they secretly create amazing meals while trying to keep Remy’s role in the kitchen hidden.

What makes the movie interesting is that it is not just about a rat cooking food. It is really about following your passion, proving people wrong, and showing that talent can come from unexpected places. The movie also showed how much animation had improved. Pixar created extremely detailed environments, realistic food, and expressive characters that made the animated world feel believable.

How Did It Happen?

Ratatouille was created during a period when CGI animation was becoming one of the biggest changes in filmmaking. Pixar had already become successful with movies like Toy Story and Finding Nemo, and this film continued their focus on combining new technology with strong storytelling.

The filmmakers wanted to create something different from typical animated movies. Instead of focusing only on action or fantasy, they built the story around something simple: a character who loves creating something and wants to be recognized for it. The attention to detail, especially with the food and restaurant scenes, showed how much work went into making the movie feel realistic.

Importance In Cinema History

The release of Ratatouille was important because it showed how much animated films had evolved. It helped prove that animation could tell meaningful stories with complicated characters and themes instead of being seen as only entertainment for children.

The movie also showed Pixar’s influence on modern cinema by combining advanced technology with emotional storytelling. It won the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature in 2008 and is still remembered as one of Pixar’s most creative films.

Overall, Ratatouille represents an important moment in animation because it showed that a movie about a talking rat and cooking could still explore serious ideas about ambition, creativity, and believing in yourself.

Video

Ratatouille Trailer: https://youtu.be/NgsQ8mVkN8w?si=XInf___cx0itj9Kj

Ratatouille Academy Award Acceptance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nEQax1iEaE

Links for More Information

www.pixar.com

www.oscars.org

Works Cited (MLA)

Bird, Brad, director. Ratatouille. Pixar Animation Studios, Walt Disney Pictures, 2007.

“Ratatouille.” Pixar Animation Studios, https://www.pixar.com.

“Ratatouille.” The Academy Awards, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, https://www.oscars.org.

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WHEN Did It Happen

While the movie hit theaters on May 2, 2008, its actual development history was a long, messy process that went on for nearly two decades. Hollywood studios had been trying to make an Iron Man movie since 1990. Universal Pictures bought the rights first, then sold them to 20th Century Fox in 1996, who later passed them to New Line Cinema in 1999. Because nobody could figure out how to make the script work, the character sat in "development hell" until Marvel Studios finally clawed the character rights back in 2005 and decided to make the movie themselves, with filming running from March to June of 2007.

WHERE Did It Develop

The movie was developed in Los Angeles, California, inside the offices of a then-independent, struggling studio called Marvel Studios. Unlike previous Marvel properties like Spider-Man or X-Men, which were licensed out to Sony and Fox, this was an entirely in-house project. Director Jon Favreau chose to film primarily in California rather than New York City because he wanted to give the movie a sunny, tech industrial West Coast aesthetic that contrasted heavily with the traditional, gritty urban superhero settings of the past.

WHO Did It

The project was driven by a handful of key players who took a massive gamble on an unproven formula. Jon Favreau signed on as the director, even though he was mostly known for comedies like Elf at the time. Kevin Feige, the visionary Marvel producer, masterminded the project as a way to try something never before done in cinema. Robert Downey Jr. was cast as the lead, which was a huge risk because he was considered uninsurable by Hollywood executives due to his past legal and substance abuse struggles. The narrative framework itself was mapped out by the screenwriting teams of Art Marcum and Matt Holloway, alongside Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby.

WHAT Was It

Iron Man was a live action superhero origin story, but logistically, it was a $150 million independent film funded by Marvel through a Merrill Lynch credit line. The story modernized the original comic book origin, shifting Tony Stark's capture from the Vietnam War to modern, post-9/11 Afghanistan. The plot followed a billionaire defense contractor who gets captured by a terrorist group called the Ten Rings, builds a crude suit of armor to escape, and returns home to shut down his weapons division to become a high tech peacekeeper. Because the script wasn't fully finalized when shooting began, Favreau and the cast heavily ad libbed the dialogue on set, and the movie relied on a seamless blend of practical effects built by Stan Winston and cutting edge computer generated imagery.

WHY / HOW Did It Happen

Marvel Studios was tired of letting other major studios make billions off their characters while they only received small licensing fees, so they decided to finance their own films by putting up the film rights to characters like Captain America and Thor as collateral. If Iron Man failed, Marvel would have literally lost the cinematic rights to their most famous characters and gone bankrupt. They chose Iron Man because, even though he was a B list character to the general public at the time, focus groups of children revealed they liked his toy designs the best, making it a viable commercial anchor.

IMPORTANCE IN CINEMA HISTORY

The success of Iron Man completely changed the landscape of modern Hollywood filmmaking by launching the concept of the "shared cinematic universe." By introducing the post-credits scene featuring Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, it established a multi-film interconnected model that every major studio spent the next decade trying to replicate. It also established a new blockbuster tone, moving away from the hyper-serious, grim style of The Dark Knight and replacing it with bright, fast-paced, improvisational humor. Furthermore, it proved that a character-driven, highly charismatic actor like Robert Downey Jr. could carry a massive action tentpole, fundamentally altering how studios cast blockbusters moving forward.

CITATIONS

Feige, Kevin, and Jon Favreau. Interview by TIME Staff. How 'Iron Man' Changed Everything for Marvel, TIME Magazine, 24 Oct. 2023, www.time.com/6321494/iron-man-movie-mcu-book/.

"Iron Man (film)." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 15 June 2026, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Man_(2008_film).

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When did it happen?
James Cameron’s Avatar was released to theaters in 2009.

Where did it develop?
Avatar was filmed in Hawai’i, California, and New Zealand, being edited in New Zealand as well.

Who did it?
James Cameron directed Avatar (2009).

What was it?
Avatar (2009) was a movie that revolutionized 3D animation in the film industry. Upon its release, it quickly reached a billion dollars in the box office, and is now the highest grossing move of all time, with 2.92 billion dollars in earnings.

Why/How did it happen?
The story of Avatar was created by James Cameron to be critical of the “War on Terror” that the U.S. claims to have fought. Following his directing of Titanic, Cameron had to make this adaptation stand out to vindicate himself. In doing this, he pushed to make the movie 3D animated with a budget of 300 million dollars, and in the end, the gamble paid off tenfold.

Importance in Cinema History
James Cameron’s Avatar (2009) showed the film industry just how impactful 3D animated movies could be. Before Cameron’s work was animated an released, many weren’t fond of 3D animation in movies, but this film changed that. It earned numerous awards while becoming the highest grossing film ever, leaving a permanent seat for 3D animation in the film industry.

Sources (MLA Format)

“Avatar (2009) - Filming & Production.” IMDb, www.imdb.com/title/tt0499549/locations/.

Clark, Andrew. “Twentieth Century Fox’s 3D Gamble Pays off with Billion Dollar Blockbuster.” The Guardian, 4 Jan. 2010, www.theguardian.com/film/2010/jan/04/avatar-3d-film-twentieth-century-fox.

“Avatar’ — a Technological Revolution” Screen Wellington, www.wellingtonnz.com/screen-wellington/made-in-wellington/avatar-a-technological-revolution.

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2010s: The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Interconnected Storytelling

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2010s: The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and Interconnected Storytelling

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When: The MCU’s interconnected storytelling where multiple superheroes were part of a shared universe represented a defining film trend of the 2010s. Specifically, the year 2012- when The Avengers was released- marks the rise of these large-scale blockbusters.

Who/Where: The MCU was developed mainly in Hollywood, California through Marvel Studios, which was led by president Kevin Feige who helped originally construct the MCU’s connected universe. The Walt Disney Company, which acquired Marvel Entertainment in 2009, also contributed to the MCU’s expansion.

What: The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is a series of related films and shows that share the same characters and storylines. Any events that took place in movies released under the MCU could affect future plots, meaning movies were no longer traditional, independent films. This allowed audiences to follow long-term stories which could build up to notable crossover events such as The Avengers (2012), Avengers: Infinity War (2018), and Avengers: Endgame (2019).

Why/How: Marvel took the idea of interconnected storytelling from its comic books, where different heroes shared the same universe and were able to interact with each other. Marvel Studios carefully planned the releases of films in advance so there could be a unified story built up across all films. These films had recurring characters (Iron Man, Captain America, etc.) to help tie the entire universe’s narrative together. Another way Marvel was able to set up future movies was through post-credit scenes, in which a new storyline would be mapped out and left on a cliffhanger, pushing the audience to learn more in the next film release.

Importance: The MCU transformed the making of blockbusters by showing that audiences could become dedicated to continuous stories that were told throughout multiple films. This caused a decline in standalone movies, because studios instead created franchises that had interconnected worlds and mapped-out storylines. The MCU also changed how movies were marketed by turning film releases into large pop culture events, triggering stronger fan bases and social media discussion. This marketing success impacted the way the rest of the studios in Hollywood would approach their filmmaking. For example, Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros. followed suit of the MCU by starting the Monsterverse with the giant monsters Godzilla and King Kong. The MCU popularized superhero movies and long-term storytelling through its innovative style. By the late 2010s, interconnected storytelling was a key component of cinema, making it a significant development in film history.

Media: How the Marvel Cinematic Universe Changed Cinema https://youtu.be/NYg3wg_CNT8?si=aSNvcCwBjDk-tULA

Works Cited (MLA):

“Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) | Research Starters | EBSCO Research.” EBSCO, 2024, www.ebsco.com/research-starters/film/marvel-cinematic-universe-mcu.

‌‌Nayak, Ritvik. “The Cultural Impact of Marvel Films - Intuition - Medium.” Medium, Intuition, 21 Sept. 2024, medium.com/intuition/the-cultural-impact-of-marvel-movies-3c655129e165.

Schulman, Michael. “How the Marvel Cinematic Universe Swallowed Hollywood.” The New Yorker, 5 June 2023, www.newyorker.com/magazine/2023/06/12/how-the-marvel-cinematic-universe-swallowed-hollywood?

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2020: Brett Haley’s "All the Bright Places" and Modern Mental Health Representation

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2020: Brett Haley’s "All the Bright Places" and Modern Mental Health Representation

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Who & When: In February 2020, director Brett Haley released All the Bright Places, a powerful romantic drama streaming globally on Netflix, based on the bestselling young adult novel by Jennifer Niven.

What Happened: The film follows two Indiana teenagers, Violet Markey and Theodore Finch, who form a deep bond while dealing with severe emotional trauma and mental illness. After stopping Violet from contemplating suicide on a bridge where she grieves her sister's death, Finch becomes her school project partner. Together, they tour the "bright places" of Indiana. While Finch successfully helps Violet heal and rediscover the joy of living, he secretly suffers from severe, undiagnosed bipolar depression and a difficult home life. Despite trying to maintain control using colorful Post-it notes in his room, Finch ultimately disappears during a severe depressive episode and tragically dies by drowning in a blue hole lake, leaving a profound message about the critical importance of checking on the people who spend all their energy saving others.

How it was Developed: The development of the film focused heavily on a realistic, sensitive, and non-glamorized depiction of mental health. Author Jennifer Niven co-wrote the screenplay to ensure the emotional integrity of the book was preserved. Cinematically, the movie reflects Finch's internal state through a shifting visual palette. It transitions from isolated, handheld camera movements to warm, vibrant lighting during their wanderings, before crashing into dark, heavy, and somber atmospheres when Finch's depression takes over. It stands as a significant milestone in modern cinema for breaking traditional Hollywood tropes about youth, proving that streaming platforms can spark global, life-saving conversations about grief and hidden emotional struggles.

Sources:

https://www.netflix.com/title/80208848

https://www.imdb.com/title/3829926/

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All the Bright Places: Directed by Brett Haley. With Elle Fanning, Justice Smith, Alexandra Shipp, Kelli O’Hara. The story of Violet and Theodore, who meet and change each other’s lives forever. As they struggle with the emotional and physical scars of their past, they discover that even the smalles…