Life of an American Fireman is a very interesting, innovative and influential film by Edwin S. Porter, editing between shots of the inside and outside of a house fire, forming a narrative. I loved how the film opened up with a fireman daydreaming about his wife and child. It’s interesting to see how 20 seconds can create that emotional connection with these firemen, that we carry throughout the film as we realize they’re risking their lives every day. Unfortunately the rest of the short film is cutting between firemen doing their job, with little to no action, rhyme or reason, and then ends abruptly. But Porter and everyone at the time was still figuring this film thing out.
Life of an American Fireman is a very interesting, innovative and influential film by Edwin S. Porter, editing between shots of the inside and outside of a house fire, forming a narrative. I loved how the film opened up with a fireman daydreaming about his wife and child. It’s interesting to see how 20 seconds can create that emotional connection with these firemen, that we carry throughout the film as we realize they’re risking their lives every day. Unfortunately the rest of the short film is cutting between firemen doing their job, with little to no action, rhyme or reason, and then ends abruptly. But Porter and everyone at the time was still figuring this film thing out.
