Turn of century film production centered in NY

Also Chicago

Moved to Hollywood for weather, cheap real estate and escape from Edison’s royalties

Beginning of studio era 1915 DW Griffith Birth of a Nation. First feature-length narrative which made the medium artistic and commercial success.

Ended in 1948 with Supreme Court decision called Paramount Consent Decree breaking up monopolies.

5 major studios: MGM, Paramount, Warner Brothers 20^th Century Fox and RKO.

Minors Universal, Columbia, United Artists

Perfected a mode of production distribution and exhibition known as STUDIO SYSTEM which was instantly recognizable and very efficient.

CLASSICAL STYLE

4 important traits:

Clarity

Unity

Goal-oriented characters

Closure

Narrative is most important.  Sometimes called “invisible style” because it was so unobtrusive that viewers instantly became absorbed in the narrative.