Analysis of Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat

 Arrival of a Train at La Ciotat (The Lumière Brothers, 1895)

The simplicity of this film created in 1895 by the Lumière Brothers is in itself a reflection of the monumental moment in history that occurred with the first screening of the film. Similarly to the arrival of a train existing as a seemingly mundane event to those of today who have access to a variety of modes of transportation, to experience the grandeur of a film in cinema is relatively common. However, at the time of the pieces’s creation and projection, this represented a new and transformed model of entertainment. This presentation of daily life in black and white features a still camera that captures the rapid movement of civilians. The quick paced steps of the patrons serve as a mirror to the upbeat piano music playing in the background. Furthermore, the noise typically caused by loud voices is entirely eliminated from the piece to highlight the two primary focuses of the scene: the people and the train they eagerly await. Personally while I can understand and appreciate the importance of this moment in history, I could not see myself revisiting the film in the future as it lacks the excitement and engagement I need when indulging in any form of media. 

Self Introduction

 Introducing Me

Hi Everyone! My name is Katrina but I prefer to be called “Kat” since that’s two syllables less and naturally easier to deal with. I’m a freshman from Jamaica and for the first time this year I’m finally on campus in Appleton. The general temperature in Jamaica is 80°F and above, so it’s safe to say that the weather lately has been a test of how fast I can adjust to change. I plan to major in English and may potentially minor in film studies. By taking this class, I’m hoping to learn the answer to the question of if I should pursue film further. My interest in English is ,in a sense, tied to my desire to learn film since when consuming any form of media I enjoy breaking apart and analyzing the literary components involved in its creation. Similarly, I want to be able to do this with film by understanding more about the effort put into film making and thus learn how to pinpoint aspects behind its development in the future. I’m looking forward to an enlightening term!