Film History by the Decade: The Studio System and Beyond
Hollywood’s high point was in the years when the studio system flourished. Now that Paramount has bought Warner Brothers and Amazon owns MGM, studying the development of the studio system is more important than ever. Every era since the 1950s declared the end of Hollywood. In 1951 Ben Hecht listened to his former boss verbally topple the town he helped create. The movies, said David O. Selznick, “were over and done with
and Ho...
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This film studies course will describe how film production and cinema’s narrative style developed decade by decade, from early silent cinema to modern experimental technique. The first studios were in Britain (Cecil Hepworth), Italy (Pastrone’s Cabiria in 1914 was the invention of the epic) and Germany (Ufa studio, founded in 1917). Hollywood jumped ahead post-WW1 and was the first to industrialise filmmaking and master the art of mass-producing and distributing high-quality films with broad cross-cultural appeal. In the beginning Europe was dominant, but WW1 gave Hollywood the edge as the studio system emerged during the 1920s, reached maturity in the pre-Code 1930s, peaked during the war years and early 1950s, then went into steady decline until New Hollywood exploded in the 1970s. The indie 1990s were followed by digitalisation and streaming.
What will we cover?
Explore the history of film as each era is explained by looking at the major movements that have defined cinema worldwide, alongside the influence of the Hollywood studio system, in a decade-by-decade overview:
1890s Birth of Cinema: Shorts, basic cinematic grammar develops.
1900s -1910s Silent Era: Film as mass entertainment; narrative storytelling solidified; genres emerged.
1919 - 1926: German Expressionism, e.g., Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919 Robert Weine).
Beginnings of Hollywood Studios: 1912 Universal and Paramount. 1923 Warner Brothers. 1924 MGM and Columbia. 1928 RKO. 1935 20th Century Fox.
1920s Transition to Sound: Synchronised sound of The Jazz Singer (1927) ends the silent era.
1930s Pre-Code films; Technicolor arrives: Gone with the Wind (1939); Hays Code censorship.
1940s Wartime & Studio Power: Hollywood's Golden Age peaks; Italian Neorealism begins with Rossellini’s Rome Open City (1945).
1950s Widescreen & TV Threat: Studios battled TV with widescreen and 3-D.
1960s New Waves & Rebellion: European New Waves (French, British, Italian, Japanese) influence global cinema.
1970s New Hollywood: Director films (Coppola, Scorsese) challenged norms; blockbusters: Jaws, Star Wars.
1980s Blockbuster Era: High-concept, event films dominate (Spielberg, Lucas); home video changed distribution.
1990s Indie Boom & Digital Dawn: Indie cinema flourished; the digital reshapes production and distribution.
2000s Digital Revolution: CGI matured; digital cameras & editing standard; streaming began.
2010s-Present: Streaming & Globalisation: Dominance of streaming services (Netflix); global markets; smartphone filmmaking.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
Demonstrate familiarity with the distinct decades of film history
Differentiate the output of the various studios
Critically evaluate the role of specific filmmakers and/or films in the development of film history
Evaluate the role & importance of the studio system compared to other national cinema production
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels and does not require any particular skills or previous knowledge - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course provides an introduction to the subject but also serves an intermediate purpose for those extending existing knowledge about film theory and technique.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Introduction by tutor, screenings of film extracts, reading materials/handouts, small and large group discussions. At times a longer film section/sequence will be analysed. Tutor’s edited re-mix/mashup is a USP tool to stimulate discussion and understanding of film style and technique.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Tutor will supply extracts of films so students do not have to obtain them. No extra costs but students will be encouraged to go out to the cinema in support of the exhibition sector.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.
John Wischmeyer (MA in Film Theory) set up, ran and programmed his own cinema in West London and has since taught film studies at the former Gainsborough studio, the BFI and City Lit since 1999, Hitchcock’s centenary year. John has covered a wide range film topics under the banner ‘Cinema Investigates America’ and has a particular interest in and considerable knowledge of Hitchcock, Hollywood studios, American independent cinema and film noir, film technique and style.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/film-history-by-the-decade-the-studio-system-and-beyond3084907Film History by the Decade: The Studio System and Beyondhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/cultureplex-HF336-1024.jpg219219GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/American film22851177158020791228511771580<p>Hollywood’s high point was in the years when the studio system flourished. Now that Paramount has bought Warner Brothers and Amazon owns MGM, studying the development of the studio system is more important than ever. Every era since the 1950s declared the end of Hollywood. In 1951 Ben Hecht listened to his former boss verbally topple the town he helped create. The movies, said David O. Selznick, “were over and done with and Hollywood was already a ghost town trying to seem alive”. But if something was over and done with, it wasn’t the movies. It was the dominant studio system. If that vertically integrated infrastructure was gone with the wind, what had Hollywood been? And what was there beyond Hollywood? One answer: Italian neorealism, French new wave, kitchen sink realism, Kurosawa and Bergman. Another answer: the New Hollywood.</p>003084895Film History by the Decade: The Studio System and Beyond219219https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/cultureplex-HF336-1024.jpgInStockEveningMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-04-26T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2027Culture, history & humanitiesHF013219219Film History by the Decade: The Studio System and Beyond219142219John Wischmeyerfilm-history-by-the-decade-the-studio-system-and-beyond/hf013-2627<p>Hollywood’s high point was in the years when the studio system flourished. Now that Paramount has bought Warner Brothers and Amazon owns MGM, studying the development of the studio system is more important than ever. Every era since the 1950s declared the end of Hollywood. In 1951 Ben Hecht listened to his former boss verbally topple the town he helped create. The movies, said David O. Selznick, “were over and done with and Hollywood was already a ghost town trying to seem alive”. But if something was over and done with, it wasn’t the movies. It was the dominant studio system. If that vertically integrated infrastructure was gone with the wind, what had Hollywood been? And what was there beyond Hollywood? One answer: Italian neorealism, French new wave, kitchen sink realism, Kurosawa and Bergman. Another answer: the New Hollywood.</p>0000-Available|2027-04-26 00:00:00<p>This film studies course will describe how film production and cinema’s narrative style developed decade by decade, from early silent cinema to modern experimental technique. The first studios were in Britain (Cecil Hepworth), Italy (Pastrone’s Cabiria in 1914 was the invention of the epic) and Germany (Ufa studio, founded in 1917). Hollywood jumped ahead post-WW1 and was the first to industrialise filmmaking and master the art of mass-producing and distributing high-quality films with broad cross-cultural appeal. In the beginning Europe was dominant, but WW1 gave Hollywood the edge as the studio system emerged during the 1920s, reached maturity in the pre-Code 1930s, peaked during the war years and early 1950s, then went into steady decline until New Hollywood exploded in the 1970s. The indie 1990s were followed by digitalisation and streaming.</p><p>Hollywood’s high point was in the years when the studio system flourished. Now that Paramount has bought Warner Brothers and Amazon owns MGM, studying the development of the studio system is more important than ever. Every era since the 1950s declared the end of Hollywood. In 1951 Ben Hecht listened to his former boss verbally topple the town he helped create. The movies, said David O. Selznick, “were over and done with and Hollywood was already a ghost town trying to seem alive”. But if something was over and done with, it wasn’t the movies. It was the dominant studio system. If that vertically integrated infrastructure was gone with the wind, what had Hollywood been? And what was there beyond Hollywood? One answer: Italian neorealism, French new wave, kitchen sink realism, Kurosawa and Bergman. Another answer: the New Hollywood.</p><p>Explore the history of film as each era is explained by looking at the major movements that have defined cinema worldwide, alongside the influence of the Hollywood studio system, in a decade-by-decade overview: </p><ul><li>1890s Birth of Cinema: Shorts, basic cinematic grammar develops.</li><li>1900s -1910s Silent Era: Film as mass entertainment; narrative storytelling solidified; genres emerged.</li><li>1919 - 1926: German Expressionism, e.g., Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919 Robert Weine).</li><li>Beginnings of Hollywood Studios: 1912 Universal and Paramount. 1923 Warner Brothers. 1924 MGM and Columbia. 1928 RKO. 1935 20th Century Fox.</li><li>1920s Transition to Sound: Synchronised sound of The Jazz Singer (1927) ends the silent era.</li><li>1930s Pre-Code films; Technicolor arrives: Gone with the Wind (1939); Hays Code censorship.</li><li>1940s Wartime & Studio Power: Hollywood's Golden Age peaks; Italian Neorealism begins with Rossellini’s Rome Open City (1945).</li><li>1950s Widescreen & TV Threat: Studios battled TV with widescreen and 3-D.</li><li>1960s New Waves & Rebellion: European New Waves (French, British, Italian, Japanese) influence global cinema.</li><li>1970s New Hollywood: Director films (Coppola, Scorsese) challenged norms; blockbusters: Jaws, Star Wars.</li><li>1980s Blockbuster Era: High-concept, event films dominate (Spielberg, Lucas); home video changed distribution. </li><li>1990s Indie Boom & Digital Dawn: Indie cinema flourished; the digital reshapes production and distribution.</li><li>2000s Digital Revolution: CGI matured; digital cameras & editing standard; streaming began.</li><li>2010s-Present: Streaming & Globalisation: Dominance of streaming services (Netflix); global markets; smartphone filmmaking. <br> </li></ul><ul><li>Demonstrate familiarity with the distinct decades of film history</li><li>Differentiate the output of the various studios</li><li>Critically evaluate the role of specific filmmakers and/or films in the development of film history</li><li>Evaluate the role & importance of the studio system compared to other national cinema production</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels and does not require any particular skills or previous knowledge - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course provides an introduction to the subject but also serves an intermediate purpose for those extending existing knowledge about film theory and technique.</p><p>Introduction by tutor, screenings of film extracts, reading materials/handouts, small and large group discussions. At times a longer film section/sequence will be analysed. Tutor’s edited re-mix/mashup is a USP tool to stimulate discussion and understanding of film style and technique.</p><p>Tutor will supply extracts of films so students do not have to obtain them. No extra costs but students will be encouraged to go out to the cinema in support of the exhibition sector.</p><p>Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesAmerican filmvirtual3084898Film History by the Decade: The Studio System and Beyond279279https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/cultureplex-HF336-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2027-04-26T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2027Culture, history & humanitiesHF337279279Film History by the Decade: The Studio System and Beyond223181279John Wischmeyerfilm-history-by-the-decade-the-studio-system-and-beyond/hf337-2627<p>Hollywood’s high point was in the years when the studio system flourished. Now that Paramount has bought Warner Brothers and Amazon owns MGM, studying the development of the studio system is more important than ever. Every era since the 1950s declared the end of Hollywood. In 1951 Ben Hecht listened to his former boss verbally topple the town he helped create. The movies, said David O. Selznick, “were over and done with and Hollywood was already a ghost town trying to seem alive”. But if something was over and done with, it wasn’t the movies. It was the dominant studio system. If that vertically integrated infrastructure was gone with the wind, what had Hollywood been? And what was there beyond Hollywood? One answer: Italian neorealism, French new wave, kitchen sink realism, Kurosawa and Bergman. Another answer: the New Hollywood.</p>0000-Available|2027-04-26 00:00:00<p>This film studies course will describe how film production and cinema’s narrative style developed decade by decade, from early silent cinema to modern experimental technique. The first studios were in Britain (Cecil Hepworth), Italy (Pastrone’s Cabiria in 1914 was the invention of the epic) and Germany (Ufa studio, founded in 1917). Hollywood jumped ahead post-WW1 and was the first to industrialise filmmaking and master the art of mass-producing and distributing high-quality films with broad cross-cultural appeal. In the beginning Europe was dominant, but WW1 gave Hollywood the edge as the studio system emerged during the 1920s, reached maturity in the pre-Code 1930s, peaked during the war years and early 1950s, then went into steady decline until New Hollywood exploded in the 1970s. The indie 1990s were followed by digitalisation and streaming.</p><p>Hollywood’s high point was in the years when the studio system flourished. Now that Paramount has bought Warner Brothers and Amazon owns MGM, studying the development of the studio system is more important than ever. Every era since the 1950s declared the end of Hollywood. In 1951 Ben Hecht listened to his former boss verbally topple the town he helped create. The movies, said David O. Selznick, “were over and done with and Hollywood was already a ghost town trying to seem alive”. But if something was over and done with, it wasn’t the movies. It was the dominant studio system. If that vertically integrated infrastructure was gone with the wind, what had Hollywood been? And what was there beyond Hollywood? One answer: Italian neorealism, French new wave, kitchen sink realism, Kurosawa and Bergman. Another answer: the New Hollywood.</p><p>Explore the history of film as each era is explained by looking at the major movements that have defined cinema worldwide, alongside the influence of the Hollywood studio system, in a decade-by-decade overview: </p><ul><li>1890s Birth of Cinema: Shorts, basic cinematic grammar develops.</li><li>1900s -1910s Silent Era: Film as mass entertainment; narrative storytelling solidified; genres emerged.</li><li>1919 - 1926: German Expressionism, e.g., Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919 Robert Weine).</li><li>Beginnings of Hollywood Studios: 1912 Universal and Paramount. 1923 Warner Brothers. 1924 MGM and Columbia. 1928 RKO. 1935 20th Century Fox.</li><li>1920s Transition to Sound: Synchronised sound of The Jazz Singer (1927) ends the silent era.</li><li>1930s Pre-Code films; Technicolor arrives: Gone with the Wind (1939); Hays Code censorship.</li><li>1940s Wartime & Studio Power: Hollywood's Golden Age peaks; Italian Neorealism begins with Rossellini’s Rome Open City (1945).</li><li>1950s Widescreen & TV Threat: Studios battled TV with widescreen and 3-D.</li><li>1960s New Waves & Rebellion: European New Waves (French, British, Italian, Japanese) influence global cinema.</li><li>1970s New Hollywood: Director films (Coppola, Scorsese) challenged norms; blockbusters: Jaws, Star Wars.</li><li>1980s Blockbuster Era: High-concept, event films dominate (Spielberg, Lucas); home video changed distribution. </li><li>1990s Indie Boom & Digital Dawn: Indie cinema flourished; the digital reshapes production and distribution.</li><li>2000s Digital Revolution: CGI matured; digital cameras & editing standard; streaming began.</li><li>2010s-Present: Streaming & Globalisation: Dominance of streaming services (Netflix); global markets; smartphone filmmaking.</li></ul><ul><li>Demonstrate familiarity with the distinct decades of film history</li><li>Differentiate the output of the various studios</li><li>Critically evaluate the role of specific filmmakers and/or films in the development of film history</li><li>Evaluate the role & importance of the studio system compared to other national cinema production</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels and does not require any particular skills or previous knowledge - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course provides an introduction to the subject but also serves an intermediate purpose for those extending existing knowledge about film theory and technique.</p><p>Introduction by tutor, screenings of film extracts, reading materials/handouts, small and large group discussions. At times a longer film section/sequence will be analysed. Tutor’s edited re-mix/mashup is a USP tool to stimulate discussion and understanding of film style and technique.</p><p>Tutor will supply extracts of films so students do not have to obtain them. No extra costs but students will be encouraged to go out to the cinema in support of the exhibition sector.</p><p>Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesAmerican filmvirtual219,223219,279142,181HF013,HF337NONEMon26/04/27 - 12/07/2718:00 - 19:3018:0019:3010 sessions (over 12 weeks)105-10 weeksEvening,DaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetJohn WischmeyerBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-04-26T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2027Culture, history & humanities219219,279Film History by the Decade: The Studio System and Beyondfilm-history-by-the-decade-the-studio-system-and-beyond/hf013-2627,film-history-by-the-decade-the-studio-system-and-beyond/hf337-2627<p>Hollywood’s high point was in the years when the studio system flourished. Now that Paramount has bought Warner Brothers and Amazon owns MGM, studying the development of the studio system is more important than ever. Every era since the 1950s declared the end of Hollywood. In 1951 Ben Hecht listened to his former boss verbally topple the town he helped create. The movies, said David O. Selznick, “were over and done with and Hollywood was already a ghost town trying to seem alive”. But if something was over and done with, it wasn’t the movies. It was the dominant studio system. If that vertically integrated infrastructure was gone with the wind, what had Hollywood been? And what was there beyond Hollywood? One answer: Italian neorealism, French new wave, kitchen sink realism, Kurosawa and Bergman. Another answer: the New Hollywood.</p>0000-Available|2027-04-26 00:00:00<p>This film studies course will describe how film production and cinema’s narrative style developed decade by decade, from early silent cinema to modern experimental technique. The first studios were in Britain (Cecil Hepworth), Italy (Pastrone’s Cabiria in 1914 was the invention of the epic) and Germany (Ufa studio, founded in 1917). Hollywood jumped ahead post-WW1 and was the first to industrialise filmmaking and master the art of mass-producing and distributing high-quality films with broad cross-cultural appeal. In the beginning Europe was dominant, but WW1 gave Hollywood the edge as the studio system emerged during the 1920s, reached maturity in the pre-Code 1930s, peaked during the war years and early 1950s, then went into steady decline until New Hollywood exploded in the 1970s. The indie 1990s were followed by digitalisation and streaming.</p><p>Hollywood’s high point was in the years when the studio system flourished. Now that Paramount has bought Warner Brothers and Amazon owns MGM, studying the development of the studio system is more important than ever. Every era since the 1950s declared the end of Hollywood. In 1951 Ben Hecht listened to his former boss verbally topple the town he helped create. The movies, said David O. Selznick, “were over and done with and Hollywood was already a ghost town trying to seem alive”. But if something was over and done with, it wasn’t the movies. It was the dominant studio system. If that vertically integrated infrastructure was gone with the wind, what had Hollywood been? And what was there beyond Hollywood? One answer: Italian neorealism, French new wave, kitchen sink realism, Kurosawa and Bergman. Another answer: the New Hollywood.</p><p>Explore the history of film as each era is explained by looking at the major movements that have defined cinema worldwide, alongside the influence of the Hollywood studio system, in a decade-by-decade overview: </p><ul><li>1890s Birth of Cinema: Shorts, basic cinematic grammar develops.</li><li>1900s -1910s Silent Era: Film as mass entertainment; narrative storytelling solidified; genres emerged.</li><li>1919 - 1926: German Expressionism, e.g., Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919 Robert Weine).</li><li>Beginnings of Hollywood Studios: 1912 Universal and Paramount. 1923 Warner Brothers. 1924 MGM and Columbia. 1928 RKO. 1935 20th Century Fox.</li><li>1920s Transition to Sound: Synchronised sound of The Jazz Singer (1927) ends the silent era.</li><li>1930s Pre-Code films; Technicolor arrives: Gone with the Wind (1939); Hays Code censorship.</li><li>1940s Wartime &amp; Studio Power: Hollywood's Golden Age peaks; Italian Neorealism begins with Rossellini’s Rome Open City (1945).</li><li>1950s Widescreen &amp; TV Threat: Studios battled TV with widescreen and 3-D.</li><li>1960s New Waves &amp; Rebellion: European New Waves (French, British, Italian, Japanese) influence global cinema.</li><li>1970s New Hollywood: Director films (Coppola, Scorsese) challenged norms; blockbusters: Jaws, Star Wars.</li><li>1980s Blockbuster Era: High-concept, event films dominate (Spielberg, Lucas); home video changed distribution. </li><li>1990s Indie Boom &amp; Digital Dawn: Indie cinema flourished; the digital reshapes production and distribution.</li><li>2000s Digital Revolution: CGI matured; digital cameras &amp; editing standard; streaming began.</li><li>2010s-Present: Streaming &amp; Globalisation: Dominance of streaming services (Netflix); global markets; smartphone filmmaking. <br> </li></ul>,<p>Explore the history of film as each era is explained by looking at the major movements that have defined cinema worldwide, alongside the influence of the Hollywood studio system, in a decade-by-decade overview: </p><ul><li>1890s Birth of Cinema: Shorts, basic cinematic grammar develops.</li><li>1900s -1910s Silent Era: Film as mass entertainment; narrative storytelling solidified; genres emerged.</li><li>1919 - 1926: German Expressionism, e.g., Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919 Robert Weine).</li><li>Beginnings of Hollywood Studios: 1912 Universal and Paramount. 1923 Warner Brothers. 1924 MGM and Columbia. 1928 RKO. 1935 20th Century Fox.</li><li>1920s Transition to Sound: Synchronised sound of The Jazz Singer (1927) ends the silent era.</li><li>1930s Pre-Code films; Technicolor arrives: Gone with the Wind (1939); Hays Code censorship.</li><li>1940s Wartime &amp; Studio Power: Hollywood's Golden Age peaks; Italian Neorealism begins with Rossellini’s Rome Open City (1945).</li><li>1950s Widescreen &amp; TV Threat: Studios battled TV with widescreen and 3-D.</li><li>1960s New Waves &amp; Rebellion: European New Waves (French, British, Italian, Japanese) influence global cinema.</li><li>1970s New Hollywood: Director films (Coppola, Scorsese) challenged norms; blockbusters: Jaws, Star Wars.</li><li>1980s Blockbuster Era: High-concept, event films dominate (Spielberg, Lucas); home video changed distribution. </li><li>1990s Indie Boom &amp; Digital Dawn: Indie cinema flourished; the digital reshapes production and distribution.</li><li>2000s Digital Revolution: CGI matured; digital cameras &amp; editing standard; streaming began.</li><li>2010s-Present: Streaming &amp; Globalisation: Dominance of streaming services (Netflix); global markets; smartphone filmmaking.</li></ul><ul><li>Demonstrate familiarity with the distinct decades of film history</li><li>Differentiate the output of the various studios</li><li>Critically evaluate the role of specific filmmakers and/or films in the development of film history</li><li>Evaluate the role &amp; importance of the studio system compared to other national cinema production</li></ul><p>This course is suitable for all levels and does not require any particular skills or previous knowledge - just an enthusiasm for film and discussing film. The course provides an introduction to the subject but also serves an intermediate purpose for those extending existing knowledge about film theory and technique.</p><p>Introduction by tutor, screenings of film extracts, reading materials/handouts, small and large group discussions. At times a longer film section/sequence will be analysed. Tutor’s edited re-mix/mashup is a USP tool to stimulate discussion and understanding of film style and technique.</p><p>Tutor will supply extracts of films so students do not have to obtain them. No extra costs but students will be encouraged to go out to the cinema in support of the exhibition sector.</p><p>Look for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesAmerican filmconfigurable
20791580American filmhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/american-film1/2/285/1177/1580/20791/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/American film
