Nature Caught in the Act: On the Transformation of an Idea of Art in Early Cinema.

Motion picture industry; Motion pictures; Special effects (Motion pictures); Griffith, D. W. (David Wark), 1875-1948; Méliès, Georges, 1861-1938; Audiovisual materials; Technology in motion pictures

The article discusses the projection of natural phenomenon in motion pictures and the changes in it over the years. It discusses the contrasting comments by Georges Méliès and D. W. Griffith, from the film industry, on the way flowing of wind in the trees is shown in movies. Méliès believes that new technology which can create natural effects need to harnessed and explored whereas, Griffith views this as a degeneration and loss of beauty in the cinema.