the studio system but you can't see it
Summary
Hosts Ross and Devin welcome guest Noah to discuss the history of early cinema, covering inventions like the kinetoscope and celluloid. They explore pioneers such as Eadweard Muybridge and Georges Méliès, analyzing their contributions to motion pictures and special effects. The episode blends this educational content with humorous anecdotes about Los Angeles, biking mishaps, and pop culture references.
Topics discussed
Intro, tech issues, and guest introduction
Guest Noah's bike ride and LA anecdotes
History of early projection: Camera Obscura and Magic Lanterns
Motion photography: Muybridge and the horse gait debate
Kinetoscope, celluloid, and early film technology
Edison, the Black Maria, and the move to Hollywood
The rise of Hollywood and the Hollywood sign
The Jazz Singer and the transition to sound films
The Studio System: Vertical integration and the Big Five
Block booking, run-zone clearance, and studio power
Star contracts, the Academy, and the Hays Code
The Paramount Dec antitrust lawsuit and studio breakup
New Hollywood, the Blacklist, and the end of the studio era
Modern corporate consolidation and streaming impact
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