The studio years wee considered as the zenith of the film industry. Movies were the mass entertainment medium during the 1920s to the 1950s. Movie-going was a major activity during this time as not all households have television sets. Movie houses were jam-packed with people who wanted to see entertainment. Thus, the demand for new films was constant at that time. Consequently, the major film studios such as Warner Brothers and Columbia Pictures prospered, and they built virtual empires wherein they had the most control over the careers and lives of the actors, directors, and other people in the movie industry. The major studios also had the ability to manipulate the production, distribution, and exhibition of films. Even small movie houses were forced to take products from the film industry giants in order to compensate the demand of the public for entertainment (Net Industries, 2010).
With nearly 5 billion people watching movies every year from 1945 to 48 (as compared to less than 2 billion people going to movie theaters today), the studio years marked the height of success of the movie industry. It success was further reinforced with the establishment of opulent theaters here and there, offering movies to all socioeconomic levels. Soon enough, the moviemakers saw the need to regulate the content of the movie and the audience that would be allowed to view certain movies. Hence, in 1922, Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) was established and was soon renamed as Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), carrying the functions of lobbying for the industry at the national level, but they were also responsible for the banning of motion pictures with explicit content (Net Industries, 2010).
The success of the studio years eventually waned upon the inception of television, where entertainment became confined in the home. There were also other factors that affected the decline of the Golden Age of Hollywood, such as the migration of people to urban areas and the trimming down of patrons of downtown movie theaters. The decline happened in baby boom years, and the high birthrate made it difficult for people, especially mothers, to go to the theaters due to the need and cost of babysitting (Net Industries, 2010).
The studio years were regarded as the golden era of the film industry, wherein movies were the main source of information and entertainment. Although the success of the studio years waned and the number of moviegoers have declined, the movie industry will always be an essential part of the American culture.
With nearly 5 billion people watching movies every year from 1945 to 48 (as compared to less than 2 billion people going to movie theaters today), the studio years marked the height of success of the movie industry. It success was further reinforced with the establishment of opulent theaters here and there, offering movies to all socioeconomic levels. Soon enough, the moviemakers saw the need to regulate the content of the movie and the audience that would be allowed to view certain movies. Hence, in 1922, Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America (MPPDA) was established and was soon renamed as Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), carrying the functions of lobbying for the industry at the national level, but they were also responsible for the banning of motion pictures with explicit content (Net Industries, 2010).
The success of the studio years eventually waned upon the inception of television, where entertainment became confined in the home. There were also other factors that affected the decline of the Golden Age of Hollywood, such as the migration of people to urban areas and the trimming down of patrons of downtown movie theaters. The decline happened in baby boom years, and the high birthrate made it difficult for people, especially mothers, to go to the theaters due to the need and cost of babysitting (Net Industries, 2010).
The studio years were regarded as the golden era of the film industry, wherein movies were the main source of information and entertainment. Although the success of the studio years waned and the number of moviegoers have declined, the movie industry will always be an essential part of the American culture.
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