This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

Lecture 1 (2007): Introduction

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Note: This video is from the Fall 2007 class.

This lecture introduces film as a cultural form, an institution and an art. Beginning as a novelty without conventions, film developed a unique language and grew into an embedded social norm.

Outline

  1. What is Film?
    • Chemistry
    • Novelty
    • Manufactured object
    • Social formation
  2. Think Away iPods
    • The novelty of movement
    • Early films and early audiences
  3. The Fred Ott Principle
  4. Three Phases of Media Evolution
    • Imitation
    • Technical Advance
    • Maturity
  5. "And there was Charlie"—Film as a cultural form

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