The silent film since its beginnings around 1930 has been quite a challenge not only for the directors but for the entire crew in general. If we go back to the past, we can easily deduce that the quality for films was not the same as today; therefore, it was difficult.
The people who dared to create these works had to improve many aspects. Among those, details of lighting and even everything related to editing, in order to create well-made works. In this article, we will give a brief overview of the entire history of this art.
The Beginnings of Silent Film
Imagine being several decades back and seeing the existing need to provide entertainment to a demanding audience. It is then that the ingenious idea of presenting silent film works arises.
On the other hand, we can also get an idea of everything that this represented. Highlighting at least two influential factors:
- The limited technology for editing.
- The little advanced lighting equipment that existed at that time.
In the same vein, let’s think about how much ingenuity everyone involved had to find ways to enhance quality with the little they had. That is, perhaps even inventing lighting plans or cuts between scenes.
The First Genres That Hit the Screen
We can think that after discovering how to face the difficulties, the next step would be to find out what type of content they would create. For example, one of the first genres of silent film was physical comedy.
It was so successful that even today, after so many decades, this generation can easily recognize some fundamental characteristics of those films. One of those could be the cream pies, which were undoubtedly very funny to watch and to have a good time.
An Actor That Set Trends
Do the names Charlot and Keaton sound familiar to you? Two characters who were loved by the audience between the years 1925 and 1926. The best part is that both were portrayed by the same actor, namely, Mack Sennett.
In addition to his great talent, he was incredibly versatile as he not only limited himself to acting but also took on roles in production and writing. And thanks to all those talents, he became a complete artist, serving as an inspiration for those who followed in his footsteps in this art form.
A Remembered Work of Silent Film
A legend of silent film is the work The Gold Rush originating from France. The interesting thing about it, besides the incredible production, is the strategies they used to captivate the world.
Its creators took the effort to conduct research on visual pedagogical methods to always maintain the audience's attention. And of course, it was a resounding success.
Tools Introduced to Improve Quality
As the years went by, all directors began to expand their knowledge about everything related to visual tools. This gave rise to a whole new era that promised to earn a place in people's entertainment.
It was at that point that much more production and preparation began to be seen. Moving from throwing pies in faces to performing magic tricks, and even including resources like image primacy, externalized thoughts, and more appropriate costumes.
Let’s Get to Know the Characteristics of Silent Film
Following the same line of thought, it is easy to conclude that everything behind a silent film requires work. The following list gives us an idea of everything that involves their structure:
- Image quality.
- Title cards.
- Live music and additional sound effects.
Image Equipment in Silent Film
In the past, it was undoubtedly more difficult to shoot scenes and have the image quality be completely clear. To avoid complications in viewing, however, today, thanks to technology, there are different video techniques, you can learn more about them here.
Title Cards in Silent Film
Particularly, the inclusion of title cards gives the film more chances to be successful. Although they do not place them in every scene, those in charge try to insert them in parts where it might be a little difficult to interpret. This is a wonderful move, as viewers would understand the entire thread of ideas and would have preferences for it.
Musical Section
In silent film, the musical accompaniment that made the experience more enjoyable could not be missing. In the past, a live orchestra was presented, which undoubtedly managed to excite the audience much more.
Why Music in Silent Film?
One word: “dramatisation.” Imagine enjoying a work and in an important scene there is a striking orchestra in the background. An example could be a shot full of suspense with music to add a more interesting effect.
Healthy Entertainment
These works are for all audiences. Generally, the stories always have a humorous focus, so it is not hard to imagine a whole family enjoying a movie on a Sunday.
Iconic characters like the Keystone Cops, Mabel Normand, Ben Turpin, among others were favorites for summer entertainment. And even though so much time has passed since their premieres, it remains a good plan to enjoy any of these films.
The Most Outstanding Films of Silent Film
Of course, great films go hand in hand with amazing actors who brought astonishing characters to life. Among the most notable are the following:
- One Week from 1920.
- The Butcher's Assistant from 1917.
- With My Back to the Wall, 1923.
- Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea of Jokes 1924.
- The General.
All of these were starring the same actor, who was Buster Keaton. He left an impeccable career that is worth seeing. So, if you haven't enjoyed any work from silent film, we recommend watching any of these that we have shown you.
The Legacy Left by Charles Chaplin in Silent Film
If we talk about legacies, undoubtedly, Chaplin's is one of the most outstanding in the entire history of silent film. He had an impeccable career that began at a very young age, as he was only 5 years old when he started acting.
He grew up alongside people who were very much involved in the entertainment world, as his parents were in the artistic field. All that influence led him to be one of the most prominent figures in silent film, being nominated many times for his work, and even being a candidate for the Nobel Peace Prize.
He was so committed to his career that he employed various techniques from the same art to deliver a quality performance in his films. For this reason, among the most famous, we can highlight the following:
- City Lights from 1931.
- Modern Times from 1936.
- The Great Dictator, which premiered in 1940.