Aug
1
2009
Georges Melies
Author: admin“Pioneering Special Effects”
Marie-Georges-Jean Melies, a was a French filmmaker famous for leading many technical and narrative developments in the earliest cinema. Melies is sometimes referred to as the “Cinemagician” because of his ability to seemingly manipulate and transform reality with the cinematograph.
Melies was very innovative in the use of special effects. He accidentally discovered the stop trick (or substitution) in 1896, and was one of the first filmmakers to use multiple exposures, time-lapse photography, dissolves and hand-painted color his films.
Melies was born in Paris in 1861. From a very early age, he showed interest in the arts, particularly in stage design and puppetry, which led him a place at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris.
In 1884, Melies continued his studies in London at the request of his parents so he can learn English after which they intended him to work at his Father’s footwear business. While in London, he developed a keen interest in stage conjury after witnessing the work of Nevil Maskelyne and George Cook, key figures in magical entertainment.
On his return to Paris, Melies worked at his Father’s factory and took over as manager when his father retired. His position meant that he was able to raise enough money to buy the famous Theatre Robert Houdin when it was put up for sale in 1888. From that point on, he worked full time as a theatrical showman whose performances revolved around magic and illusions techniques which he studied while in London as well as working on his own tricks.