Seeing
films was a rarity in 1902, particularly because movie theatres were still
scant in number at this point. Still, plopped in front of a screen as
individuals moved back and forth in black-and-white, audience members were
probably struck with a sense of awe, thinking that what they were seeing was a thing
of magic and sorcery. I know I would have been confused and mystified just
thinking about how something that was once so still was animatedly in motion
right in front of me.
Had
I seen A Trip to the Moon when it was
first released, the previously mentioned emotions would have certainly been
there. Compared to the other films released at the time, the creation of Meiles
was rare for its use of new techniques in creating a world that was, at once,
both familiar and mystical. The effort that the director put into telling an
entirely new story was evident, with effects such as the explosions and
flights, as well as the extravagant sets and costumes used. What’s more, though
the size in which the film was shot allowed a limited perspective of the
action, all of the presented tableaus overflowed with activity and craziness,
all thanks to the hyper cast and story-tellers.
I’d
like to think that A Trip was created
not solely for money or fame. It was evident that, much like the starry-eyed
wanderers in his film, Meiles wanted to venture into the unknown, to explore
new possibilities. He did not want to be limited to what was set by convention,
instead taking a risk in creating something that was quite challenging and
peculiar in many ways. Because of this gamble, A Trip to the Moon serves as a milestone in what will become an
industry fuelled by technology, stories, and imagination.
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