Birth of a Nation: Epic Research Paper

He used the still-shot (Dirks, 2013). Griffith incorporated "the technique of the camera "iris" effect (expanding or contracting circular masks to either reveal and open up a scene, or close down and conceal a part of an image)" (Dirks, 2013). In addition, while this was still in the era of black and white film making, Griffith was able to employ, "extensive use of color tinting for dramatic or psychological effect in sequences" (Dirks, 2013). He used camera panning to show movement and track movement in shots (Dirks, 2013). He also used close-ups to help highlight facial expressions (Dirks, 2013). Griffith also employed the use of vignettes in balloons or iris shots on part of a darkened street, the use of fade outs, the use of cameo profiles, the use of lap dissolves when transitioning between images, and high-angle and panoramic shots (Dirks, 2013).

Therefore, the actual way in which Griffith approached the filming of the movie introduced a number of different innovations.

However, the newness of the film was not limited to the technical changes in the movie. Griffith was also lauded for his innovations in storytelling. The Birth of a Nation was one of the first epic films to really attempt to tell a detailed and complex story. Several components helped contribute to the emotional and visceral appeal of the story. First, it was a family story and Griffith focused a significant amount of effort on the family exchanges in the movie, personalizing it for the audience (Dirks, 2013). Next, Griffith drew on historical events, even if it was in a revisionist movie, to help connect the audience to the events in the movie (Dirks, 2013). He also used more elaborate costuming to convey a realistic historical period than had been used in prior productions (Dirks, 2013).In order to enhance the realistic elements of the film, Griffith employed extras to help stage realistic-looking battle scenes He also structured the story to build to a climax, helping establish the suspense-building elements of a film All of these elements helped change the tone of filmmaking and usher in an era of films being a medium for epic storytelling.

It is difficult to reconcile what the Birth of a Nation meant for the art of filmmaking with its negative impact on American culture. It was a horribly racist movie that reinforced the worst stereotypes about black Americans and not only excused, but glorified, white violence towards and terrorizing of blacks. At the same time, it was a groundbreaking film that helped move the technical and artistic components of the film industry forward, enabling much of modern movie production. It is tempting to suggest that the film should not be condemned for it accurately captured the sentiment of many white Americans towards blacks during that time period. However, because the film intentionally employed inaccuracies to do so, it would be too simple to dismiss the prejudice contained within it as simply a product of its times. Even when it was released, the prejudice in it was controversial. Therefore, film scholars will have to contend with both elements of the Birth of a Nation: the hateful anti-black sentiment and the storytelling innovation.

References

Dirks, T. (2013). Filmsite movie review: The Birth of a Nation. Retrieved February 22, 2013

from AMC Filmsite website: http://www.filmsite.org/birt.html

Erickson, H. (2013). The Birth of a Nation (1915). Retrieved February 22, 2013 from Rotten

Tomatoes website: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/birth_of_a_nation/

Griffith, W.D. (1915). The Birth of a Nation. Los Angeles: David W. Griffith Corp. And Epoch

Production Corporation.

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