Silent Movie Sets and Locations
Silent movies were made indoors and outdoors. Scenes that were common to silent movies are still popular today:
- The car chase
- The pursuit and capture of the villain
- Beautiful panoramic outdoor scenes
- Night scenes
- Indoor or house scenes
- Parties
- Mysterious, dangerous or "sleuth" scenes
Even the Port Arthur Amateur Cinema Society was able to capture some of these on film.
There were difficulties inherent in filming these scenes, primarily because of the technology available during the early days of film. Lighting was especially a problem because it was difficult to adjust early cameras for different levels of light.
Exterior shots were also dependent on the weather. This was an issue for Dorothea Mitchell and her film group during the making of their first film, Race for Ties.
To keep things simple, film makers usually shot all of the interior shots and then all of the exterior shots, and then physically cut the film and spliced the shots together to edit the movie.
Filmmaker Dorothea Mitchell described some of the difficulties encountered by the Port Arthur Amateur Cinema Society when they made their first film, A Race for Ties in 1929:
Exteriors:
"…our initial meeting was on the 1st March, and – since snow-scenes were essential – shooting commenced on Sunday the 3rd. We left the city [Port Arthur] at 7.45 a/m. (hardly daylight) for locations from 5 to 20 miles distant, taking snack-lunches with us. Everyone being in profession or business [working during the week], exteriors had to be done on Sundays. The most interesting aspect (to me) was the complete lack of rehearsal (there wasn't time!) and no re-takes. We just did as we were told.
 Photo courtesy
Library and Archives
Canada
Exteriors were completed on the third Sunday (17th) – and none too soon, as snow had to be shoveled onto bare spots, and the mid-day meal skipped. At dusk, we trekked across a frozen lake (covered by nearly 3 ft. of snow) to a summer cottage owned by one of the gang, where we lighted stoves and had a much-appreciated meal."
Source: Dorothea Mitchell, "A Race for Ties (Its Inception)" (1963): 3-4. Personal Collection of Elinor Barr.
Interiors:
"Then came interiors, for which a large box-type camera, with tripod, was acquired. The majority of these scenes were in the Attwood home. For these, the local photographers, from whom we bought our supplies, allowed us the use of one of their studios. Our Art man (who designed the credit-titles) covered walls with canvas, on which he simulated hewed logs. Quite realistic, too! Then our Transport man rustled up and installed suitable furniture."
Source: Dorothea Mitchell, "A Race for Ties (Its Inception)" (1963): 3-4. Personal Collection of Elinor Barr.
 Photo courtesy
Library and Archives
Canada ACTIVITY: SILENT MOVIE SAMPLES
As a group or individually, watch a silent movie from the 1920's or 1930's. Consider the following:
- Work in pairs to keep notes while you watch the movie; list all of the different locations used in the movie. Identify them as INT (interior) or EXT (exterior). Do you think any of these were painted or created sets, or were they actual outdoor settings or indoor buildings?
- How many different interior settings were there? What about exterior settings?
- Were there any challenges for the videographer regarding level of light or weather or other aspects of the setting?
- Were there any action scenes, such as a car chase or stunt? Discuss how the videographer used the camera to capture the action.
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