The Rise (and Fall) of Hollywood

Summary

Hollywood's history is filled with ambition, legal battles, and financial risks. From its early days on the East Coast to its rise in California, the industry has been shaped by fierce competition and innovation. The studio system dominated for decades before television and big-budget films led to the New Hollywood era, where directors gained more creative control. However, the rise of streaming and home video has transformed the industry once again. Despite the changes, filmmaking has become more accessible, making Hollywood less central to the creative process, yet still a symbol of cinematic evolution.

Takeaways

• 😀 Movies before 1911 were primarily filmed on the East Coast, with iconic works like *The Great Train Robbery* and *Frankenstein* being created in locations like Fort Lee, New Jersey.
• 😀 Hollywood's rise in the early 1900s was driven by cheaper production costs, favorable weather, diverse locations, and the need to escape Thomas Edison's monopoly on film technology.
• 😀 Thomas Edison patented the motion picture camera in 1891 and used aggressive tactics, including lawsuits and sabotage, to control the industry. Filmmakers had to move to California to avoid his legal reach.
• 😀 The 1917 U.S. Supreme Court ruling against Edison's monopolies marked a turning point for independent filmmakers and allowed for more creative freedom.
• 😀 The 1920s saw the introduction of sound in films, and Hollywood flourished through the Great Depression, producing some of the most iconic films in history.
• 😀 The 'Studio System' era (1917-1940s) was characterized by major studios controlling everything from production to distribution to theaters, locking filmmakers into long-term contracts.
• 😀 By the 1940s, five major studios controlled nearly all aspects of the film industry, which led to the creation of cinematic classics like *Gone with the Wind* and *Casablanca*.
• 😀 The 1948 Supreme Court ruling that forced studios to sell their theaters allowed independent filmmakers to gain more creative freedom and distribute their films more widely.
• 😀 Television emerged as a major threat to Hollywood in the 1950s, leading the industry to focus on big-budget, visually spectacular films like *Cleopatra* in the 1960s.
• 😀 The 'New Hollywood' era of the 1960s and 1970s shifted power to directors, resulting in groundbreaking films like *Star Wars*, *Jaws*, and *The Godfather*. However, the increasing freedom led to financial disasters like *Apocalypse Now* and *Heaven's Gate*.
• 😀 In the modern era, Hollywood faces competition from home video and streaming platforms like Netflix. Big-budget superhero films dominate, while smaller films struggle in theaters and find success online.
• 😀 Technological advancements have made filmmaking more accessible than ever, allowing independent filmmakers to create feature-length films with minimal investment, making Hollywood less central to the industry.

Q & A

Why did Hollywood become the center of movie production?

Hollywood became the center of movie production due to several factors including cheaper costs, favorable year-round weather, and the availability of diverse filming locations. Additionally, filmmakers moved to California to escape the legal monopoly of Thomas Edison, who had control over movie technology on the East Coast.

What was the role of Thomas Edison in the early film industry?

Thomas Edison held a legal monopoly over the movie industry starting in 1891 with his patent for the kinetoscope. He aggressively sued independent filmmakers and even hired thugs to destroy cameras and raid studios, forcing many filmmakers to move to California where they could make films without Edison's interference.

What happened to Thomas Edison's monopoly on the film industry?

In 1917, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Thomas Edison's monopoly on film technology was unlawful, marking the beginning of the decline of his control over the industry.

What is the 'studio system' in Hollywood?

The 'studio system' in Hollywood refers to the period between 1917 and the late 1940s, during which five major studios controlled all aspects of film production, including actors, directors, and theaters. Creators were often locked into long-term contracts with a single studio, limiting their freedom in the industry.

How did the Supreme Court ruling in the 1940s affect Hollywood?

The Supreme Court ruling against Paramount Pictures in the 1940s, which declared that ownership of both theaters and film distribution restricted fair trade, led to the decline of the traditional studio system and helped open the industry to independent filmmakers.

What impact did television have on the movie industry?

Television significantly impacted the movie industry by drawing audiences away from movie theaters. As a result, movie studios had to innovate by producing films with larger budgets and grander visuals, including the Hollywood epic films with bigger screens and larger-than-life set pieces.

What is the 'New Hollywood' era, and how did it change filmmaking?

The 'New Hollywood' era, starting in the late 1960s, marked a shift towards more control for filmmakers, with directors like Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, and Francis Coppola gaining influence. This era encouraged more innovative, diverse, and provocative films, but it also led to higher budgets and financial risks.

What are some examples of films that exemplified the New Hollywood era?

Some iconic films from the New Hollywood era include 'Bonnie and Clyde,' 'Jaws,' 'Star Wars,' and 'The Godfather.' These films demonstrated the creative freedom granted to filmmakers and showcased the innovative spirit of the time.

What caused the financial crises in the New Hollywood era?

Several films in the New Hollywood era, such as 'Apocalypse Now' and 'Heaven's Gate,' faced financial disasters due to spiraling budgets and chaotic production processes. These failures led to a tightening of control by producers and a shift back towards a more business-focused approach in filmmaking.

How has the movie industry evolved in the 21st century?

In the 21st century, the movie industry has seen a shift with the rise of home video, streaming services, and platforms like Netflix. This has reduced the importance of traditional movie theaters, with superhero and fantasy films dominating box office sales. Filmmaking has also become more accessible, with technologies like affordable DSLR cameras allowing independent filmmakers to make their voices heard.