Tips for Watching Silent FIlms

When someone mentions Silent Films to a typical modern crowd, their reactions usually consist of eye-rolling and shudders as they think about the 'goofy acting and cheap sets.'

As for me, I enjoy silent films. I consider them the foundation of films of today: without them, we wouldn't have the films we have today. I'll admit that silent films are a acquired taste. But like most relationships, audiences need to see past the imperfections of silent films in order to find the beauty underneath.

So for those who're interested in watching silent films, I have a few tips to make their silent film experience better

1. Remember that these films were made in a different time with different equipment and expectations: They didn't have computers or sound mixing to make stories come to life: they had to rely on their actors and whatever set they could build.
2. Remember that silent films originated the genres and cliches you see today: It can be fun to watch a silent film and discover "Oh, that's where the twist ending came from," or "So this is where the sci-fi genre came from."
3. Make sure that the film you're watching has appropriate music: Since Silent Films had 'mood music' played at movie theaters, Silent Films don't have their own unique soundtrack. So often, cheap DVDs will place any music with the film - and often times, the music has nothing to do with the action of the scene. So invest in a film with a score specifically written for the movie.

Here are some silent films I recommend for beginners:

• The General with Buster Keaton
• The Phantom of the Opera with Lon Chaney
• The Patsy with Marion Davies
• The Wind with Lillian Gish

The Importance of Moving Pictures: Theories on Why People Love Movies.

 For as long as I can remember, I've had a huge love for films. In my early years, I would memorize scenes from movies and reenact them out with my toys. As a fifth grader, I  knew who Shirley Temple was and convinced my teacher that candy needed to be passed out to celebrate her birthday. As I got older, I've discovered that not only is it fun to watch a movie, but it's fun to study and critique it.
 
So why am I rambling about my love for films? It's because to me, movies are more than a pastime - it's a passion. And I'm not the only one with a passion for films. According to a chart from the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) shows that in the last year, 67% of the U.S. and Canadian population were considered moviegoers and movie theaters sold 1.3 billion tickets in 2011.

And this chart doesn't even begin scratching the surface of International Cinema, DVD ownership and the countless film blogs. The point is, millions of people around the world share an interest in. So what is it about films that? I have three theories:

1. Escapism. This is probably the most typical reason people watch films. But there's no denying that films - even bad ones - have the power to make people forget about their everyday life.
2. People love to analyze. While people don't want to admit it, we critique everything - from church services to brands of dish soap. People truly enjoy looking at why they like or don't like in a film and see what others have to say about that film. That's why so many film review blogs exist.
3. Films are a 'snapshot' of life. Films are way for filmmakers to create human experiences - even if the plot is far-fetched (i.e. Back to the Future). Audiences ask themselves when they see characters in various scenarios questions like, "How would I react in that situation? What do I like about this character? How are the characters handling the situation?"

In the end, it doesn't matter whether one thinks films are entertaining or time-wasting. What matters is that films do effect people; from budding filmmakers to stay-at-home moms to a small-town autistic Minnesotan. 

(Please feel free to leave a comment below. I'm curious to know what impact have movies had on your life?)