Early Motion Pictures

The Great Train Robbery (1903) is a cinematic feat in many respects. There had been many innovations in the in film-making up until this movie, since the first 'moving pictures' were showcased by Thomas Edison in 1891. Going back to the classical invention of the perspective, you can see in the film that the director was trying to include the audience in the scenes. The camera is placed focusing along the lengths of the train and to a slight offset in the opening scene. Towards the end, horses run toward the camera, as if they're coming out at the audience. Depth is created when the bank teller appears through the wall, letting up know that there is more to the building than just the room we are shown.

Technologically, this piece embraces the "slight-of-hand" tricks that were coming of age in film. An image of a passing train can be faked by overlaying the image of a passing train in the style of Georges Melies, who can be considered the father of modern day special effects. Other tricks including faulting film for a second to replace a human with a dummy to fake a death and smoke tricks for fired guns.

Using these elements in the production allows for a better story to be told. By suggesting that the environment extends beyond the screen, the audience becomes part of the production, embracing the characters and the narration. The robber at the end really hits home with this idea when he breaks down the 'fourth wall' that separates the audience with the story on screen.