The History and Appreciation of Cinema
Erik Forssell, Film & Television Department Chair, instructing his students in the summer semester of FILM A100 History and Appreciation of the Cinema in the Fine Arts building at Orange Coast College. PHOTO: Tanner Grandstaff
As an Orange Coast College (OCC) alumni, I was recently given the opportunity to audit the first three sessions of FILM A100, a course that introduces the analysis of film form and content, aesthetics and meaning, and history and culture. This class explores the diverse possibilities presented by the cinematic art form through an examination of a wide variety of productions, national cinematic styles, and film movements. Topics include modes of production, narrative and non-narrative forms, visual design, editing, sound, genre, ideology, and critical analysis.
I was invited by my former cinematography instructor and great mentor, Erik Forssell, to sit in on the summer course, which meets Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 1pm in the Fine Arts building. Here’s a list of some of the highlights from the lectures:
Kinetograph, 1891: One of the earliest motion picture cameras, invented by Thomas Edison and W.K.L. Dickson.
Zoetrope, 1834: An early device that produced the illusion of motion using a sequence of drawings or photographs.
Persistence of Vision, 1852: The phenomenon where the human eye retains images for a fraction of a second, creating the illusion of motion when images are viewed in rapid succession.
Eadweard Muybridge, 1877: Known for his pioneering work in photographic studies of motion, particularly his series of photographs of a running horse.
Étienne-Jules Marey, 1882: A scientist who made significant contributions to the development of motion pictures by studying and capturing motion in a systematic way.
Thomas Edison, late 1800s: An inventor who, along with his assistant W.K.L. Dickson, developed the Kinetograph and the Kinetoscope, devices for recording and viewing motion pictures.
George Eastman, late 1800s: Founder of Eastman Kodak Company, who made significant advancements in photographic film.
W.K.L. Dickson, 1890s: Edison’s assistant who played a key role in the development of early motion picture technology.
The Black Maria at Kodak, 1893: The first film production studio, built by Edison and Dickson.
Fred Ott’s Sneeze, 1894: One of the earliest films made at the Black Maria, featuring Edison’s assistant Fred Ott sneezing.
Lumière Brothers, 1895: French inventors who developed the Cinématographe, an early motion picture camera and projector.
Alice Guy-Blaché, late 1890s - early 1900s: One of the first female film directors and a pioneer in narrative filmmaking.
Georges Méliès, late 1890s - early 1900s: A magician and filmmaker known for his imaginative early films and special effects.
Edwin S. Porter, 1903: A film pioneer known for directing “The Great Train Robbery,” one of the earliest narrative films.
Nickelodeons, 1905-1915: Early motion picture theaters that were popular in the United States.
Motion Picture Patents Company (M.P.P.C.), 1908-1915: An organization that attempted to control the film industry through patents and licensing.
Carl Laemmle, 1910s: A film producer and founder of Universal Pictures.
Hollywoodland, 1910s: The early days of the Hollywood film industry.
D.W. Griffith, 1915: A filmmaker known for directing “The Birth of a Nation,” a controversial yet highly influential film.v
The Black Maria, Edison's film studio where much of the Kinetoscope motion pictures were produced. The building was set on a rotating gimble, to take advantage of changing light conditions. PHOTO: Public Domain
Slapstick Comedy: A genre of comedy characterized by physical humor, exaggerated actions, and visual gags, which became hugely popular in the silent film era.
Mack Sennett, 1880-1960: Known as the "King of Comedy," he was a pioneering film director and producer who founded Keystone Studios and was instrumental in developing the slapstick genre.
Charlie Chaplin, 1889-1977: One of the most iconic figures in film history, Chaplin's character "The Tramp" and his masterful blend of comedy and pathos made him a legend in silent and sound films. The world’s first movie star.
Buster Keaton, 1895-1966: Renowned for his deadpan expression and extraordinary physical stunts, Keaton's films are celebrated for their inventiveness and technical brilliance.
Harold Lloyd, 1893-1971: Famous for his "Glasses" character, Lloyd's films often featured him as a relatable everyman in extraordinary situations, showcasing his impeccable timing and daring stunts.
Erik Forssell, Film & Television Department Chair, instructing his students in the summer semester of FILM A100 History and Appreciation of the Cinema in the Fine Arts building at Orange Coast College. PHOTO: Tanner Grandstaff
Erik screened The Freshman (1925), Harold Lloyd’s biggest box-office hit. This silent comedy gem features Lloyd as the befuddled everyman at his eager best as a new college student. Though he dreams of being a big man on campus, the freshman’s careful plans inevitably go hilariously awry, be it on the football field or at the Fall Frolic. He gets a climactic chance to prove his mettle and impress the sweet girl he loves in one of the most famous sports sequences ever filmed. This crowd-pleaser is a gleeful showcase for Lloyd’s slapstick brilliance and incandescent charm. Click the image below to watch the final football game scene – available via Turner Classic Movies on YouTube.
Harold Lloyd acting as Speedy in The Freshman. PHOTO: The Harold Lloyd Corporation
Auditing this class was a great refresher that deepened my appreciation for the history of cinema. It is fascinating to learn about the technological advancements and creative pioneers that shaped the film industry as we know it today. I’m grateful to Professor Forssell for this opportunity to revisit my roots and expand my knowledge of the cinematic arts. It makes a world of difference to learn from an instructor who clearly possesses a genuine love for the subject. In addition to his role as Department Chair of the Film & Television program at OCC, Erik continues to work as a Cinematographer. I was fortunate enough to capture BTS stills on his recent commercial production for the ASCF (American Society of Cigars and Film). This past weekend, Forssell shot 16mm Kodak Vision 3 500T on the ARRI SR2 with the Angineuex 15-150mm T2.8 lens. More on this production in a future blog post.