Cinema of Attractions

From Unawiki

Tom Gunning's concept of “cinema of attraction” came about during 1907 to 1913, when filmmakers were attempting to create unique images of extreme potential, images that went beyond the act of reproducing everyday life. It directly interacts the viewers with the images they see, stimulating on a level that is purely exhibitionist. While the narrative film aims to give the sense of being a voyeur to the unsuspecting characters, the cinema of attractions is aware of the audience, and in reply is creating images specifically for them to see. Gunning further discusses the eye contact made by the camera and the actors, breaking down the ‘realistic illusion’ of the cinema. This eye contact with the camera gives the viewer the sense that they in turn are being watched by what they are watching, making them self aware as an audience. Further, Gunning said that it is the idea of having a moving image that interacts with a viewer in order to keep their focus on nothing other than the image they are being show.