Chapter 7 Knowledge Claims

1.) “Entrepreneurs quickly realized that drawing the middle and upper classes to movies required something more attractive than a sheet hung in an abandoned pawnshop.”

This idea led to what the book refers to as “movie palaces.” Seattle’s 5^th Avenue Theatre is used as an example of this. I thought that this point was worth mentioning because it differs from some of the other media forms we have talked about. For example, newspaper began as something that only the wealthy could afford and later was able to trickle down to the masses as the cost was lowered. Going to the movies originally seemed to be something that appealed more to the masses, and gimmicks had to be employed to attract the wealthier consumers.

2.) “Film has generally been called a director’s medium.”

The book explains that, while it certainly takes hundreds of people to make a movie, the director is designated as the main author of a film. The director’s techniques for making a film can make it what it is. The angle or distance from which a scene is shot can make or break it. The director must make sure that all aspects of the movie work together to make it a success. Today we have what the book calls “celebrity directors” who may be known for their techniques. Sometimes we may watch a movie and instantly know who the director is, even though we never once see him on screen.

3.) “Despite the development of made-for-television movies, pay-per-view, and home video, the movie business has continued to thrive.”

This is interesting and unique because it seems that this is one of the rare media forms that has not been strongly effected by developing technologies and competition. Americans still love to go to movies and they still love to buy them.