Why did film makers and producers move to Hollywood?

The movie industry thrived in Hollywood because of the consistent climate for shooting and the filmmakers couldn’t be sued and could escape fees set by Thomas Edison who owned many patents on the movie making process.

Name some of the big stars, directors and pictures from the Silent Era of Hollywood.

Big stars – Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton

Directors – Tod Browning, Lois Weber

Pictures – The Road to Ruin, The Penalty

In what ways was the early Hollywood studio system like a factory or production line?

The studios owned every aspect of production (vertical integration) which meant they could control what they were doing.

When and what was the first ‘talking picture’?

The first feature film originally presented as a ‘talkie’ was The Jazz Singer, premiered October 6, 1927. It was made with Vitaphone.

Why did the end of the silent era cause problems for some performers working in the film industry?

Actors had to memorise their lines ahead of time and directors could no longer vocally direct actors while filming, since the microphones would pick up the sound.

What was happening in America (and around the world) at this time?

The stock market collapsed (the wall street crash) which started the great depression leading to hyperinflation and loss of jobs. In the film industry, the great depression caused many more people to go see films at the cinema to get away from the everyday life.