Correction Please; or, How we got into pictures - ACE084.2

"In which is may be seen how the mechanics of certain very primitive films (made prior to 1906) shed light on the nature of both the Language of Cinema and the audience attitudes associated with it, as they came to be established over the 25 years that followed." Workers Leaving a Factory [possibly Sortie des ateliers Viberts (1896)] with VO quoting Maxim Gorki’s 1896 description of his first visit to the cinema. Reconstruction of "Mr Williamson" being sent to deliver a letter to an agent. How it feels to be run over (1900). Caption: "Eye versus object: Centring you." Static medium-long shot of Mr Williamson arriving by chauffeur-driven car at his destination, and being greeted by a maid. Static medium-long shot of maid bringing Williamson into a richly decorated sitting room where he examines his surroundings and hands the letter to the mysterious Countess Skladanowsky. VO comments on action and setting throughout. Medium shot from directly behind man listening to conversation from behind curtain. Keyhole shot of his view of Countess who, as she undresses, turns out to be a man. Peeping Tom jumps up and down in delight. Iris out. Still from early film with proscenium arch sketched in. Commentary discusses "unity of viewpoint". The film, The Ingenious Soubrette (1902) (aka Magic Picture-hanging / Accrochage Ingénieux). Caption: "Eye above object: The unimaginable angle."