Moving Images, Understanding Media

82 Moving Images: Making Movies, Understanding Media

In fact, when sound became a viable part of fi lmmaking in the 1920s, it was

seen by some as a step backward in terms of fi lm artistry. Th e development of

fi lm language through its visual expressiveness that crossed language barriers

and cultures would now be bound to spoken words and the restrictive process

of sound recording. In addition, the independent entrepreneurial and artistic

spirit of early fi lmmakers was suddenly reined in by the crushing costs of

sound recording and distribution and projection of sound fi lms, which

allowed the studios to control and industrialize the process of fi lmmaking

in the United States to an unprecedented degree.

Figure 3-1 Sound helps to

bring images to life. (Courtesy

Kendelyn Ouellette)

Figure 3-2 Set of an early

sound fi lm: note the camera

stuck in a soundproof box

on the walkway and the

orchestra next to the stage.

Sound mixer George Groves

had to travel up and down

six fl oors to shuttle between

the sound booth and the set.

(Courtesy of http://www

.georgegroves.org.uk)

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