PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Méliès showed a particular interest in the arts at a very early age
But his parents insisted he work at his father’s footwear business
When the famous Theatre Robert Houdin was put up for sale in 1888 he bought it.
Méliès worked full time as a theatrical showman whose performances revolved around magic and illusions
Then the Lumière brothers unveiled their Cinématographe to the public.
Méliès was in the audience.
It had a profound effect upon him.
After the show, he approached
the Lumière Brothers with an offer
to buy their machine
Melies was fascinated by the concept of having the scene
tell part of the story
Drawing on his theatrical experience he built one of the
first film studios:
Star-Film studios
Trap doors
Balconies
Sliding Backdrops
All glass for light
Melies became the first master of mise en scene
Time for a trip to the moon
