I think that Tom Gunning was correct when he concluded that "Every change in film history implies a change in its address to the spectator, and each period constructs its spectator in a new way." This was one of the more interesting develops in the use of film in my opinion. I feel that the way a film is presented has to do more with how it addresses the audience then its actual content. It actually opened up my mind to the appreciation of a narrative filmmaking-- there is much more to it than linearity and "story"telling. I also feel that Gunning is correct in that we do need to understand the origins of the cinema and how it has evolved so that we can better understand how to either make a narrative, or, rather, not make a narrative.
On a side note I was very surprised that early audiences went to exhibitions to see the machines rather than the films or photographs or what have you. Because, well, what good is a machine if you do not understand the possibilities of what it is producing? It would be rather silly for me to go look at all the latest and greatest microwaves, ooo and ahhh over them and then just make macaroni. Probably a silly example but thats the way I see it
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