Breaking the Silence: Crash Course Film History #10
video description
Date: 2022-04-04
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 10
Ben
Why can't you confront the racism of film history, Crash Course? It's kind of unbelievable that you can talk about sync sound and The Jazz Singer and not even mention what that film is about - how Blackface helps a Jewish man assimilate into whiteness. If you have never head of The Jazz Singer or Al Jolson, which is likely considering this is an educational series, you would have no idea that Jolson was a Blackface performer, or that The Jazz Singer's narrative hinges on Blackface performance unless you paused this video for a few seconds at 6: 39.
Honestly, this is irresponsible. You can talk about film history and technology and racism - these things construct each other!
You can't responsibly talk about film history in the U. S. without a deep discussion of the racism that was foundational to it! Do better Crash Course!
reply
Why can't you confront the racism of film history, Crash Course? It's kind of unbelievable that you can talk about sync sound and The Jazz Singer and not even mention what that film is about - how Blackface helps a Jewish man assimilate into whiteness. If you have never head of The Jazz Singer or Al Jolson, which is likely considering this is an educational series, you would have no idea that Jolson was a Blackface performer, or that The Jazz Singer's narrative hinges on Blackface performance unless you paused this video for a few seconds at 6: 39.
Honestly, this is irresponsible. You can talk about film history and technology and racism - these things construct each other!
You can't responsibly talk about film history in the U. S. without a deep discussion of the racism that was foundational to it! Do better Crash Course!
reply
Rave
I think it's a little bit unlikely that women were only given the job of editing because it was menial, and men given it later when it stopped being so, as was implied. I imagine it was more due to the fact that women did part time work that required little training in that era, and when it became a complex task with associated salaries capable of supporting a family then obviously trained people who were doing the job full-time, which in this period would obviously be professional men, would be hired. I just mean to say that I don't think it was an issue of women only being allowed menial jobs.
reply
I think it's a little bit unlikely that women were only given the job of editing because it was menial, and men given it later when it stopped being so, as was implied. I imagine it was more due to the fact that women did part time work that required little training in that era, and when it became a complex task with associated salaries capable of supporting a family then obviously trained people who were doing the job full-time, which in this period would obviously be professional men, would be hired. I just mean to say that I don't think it was an issue of women only being allowed menial jobs.
reply
Cowboy
Even though I knew before you said it that you weren't a real person in my room talking to me, with a real mouth out of which real sounds were emanating, as soon as you said it, the whole illusion just fell apart for me. The truth that I was watching bits of light being shined on me while my speakers were vibrating the air around me struck me, and I was unable to even focus on what you were teaching me for the rest of the video. My whole life is a lie! I feel so utterly alone. How do I forget? How can I make myself forget?
reply
Even though I knew before you said it that you weren't a real person in my room talking to me, with a real mouth out of which real sounds were emanating, as soon as you said it, the whole illusion just fell apart for me. The truth that I was watching bits of light being shined on me while my speakers were vibrating the air around me struck me, and I was unable to even focus on what you were teaching me for the rest of the video. My whole life is a lie! I feel so utterly alone. How do I forget? How can I make myself forget?
reply
Baba
You forgot to mention that time when that famous silent film star tried to make a talkie but it went hilariously wrong because they couldn't get the sync part right and the female lead had a real funny voice so instead they made a musical about rain and songs and stuff.
reply
You forgot to mention that time when that famous silent film star tried to make a talkie but it went hilariously wrong because they couldn't get the sync part right and the female lead had a real funny voice so instead they made a musical about rain and songs and stuff.
reply
alphzoup
Any idea why this episode is being flagged as -restricted-? I've watched it 10 times and can't figure it out. I'm trying to post it to my high school video production class page, but some of my students might not be able to view it because of the classification. -
reply
Any idea why this episode is being flagged as -restricted-? I've watched it 10 times and can't figure it out. I'm trying to post it to my high school video production class page, but some of my students might not be able to view it because of the classification. -
reply
DoubleMrE
It is sad that this video gives Lee DeForrest credit for sound on film. It was yet another instance of DeForrest stealing other people's ideas. The guy he was wokring with figured out that DeForrest was ripping him off and he left and went to FOX.
reply
It is sad that this video gives Lee DeForrest credit for sound on film. It was yet another instance of DeForrest stealing other people's ideas. The guy he was wokring with figured out that DeForrest was ripping him off and he left and went to FOX.
reply
Caridad
don't forget Martha Lucas who edited every George Lucas movie, regardless of him not giving her any credit for that, and how much his work declined upon not having someone to counter his decisions
reply
don't forget Martha Lucas who edited every George Lucas movie, regardless of him not giving her any credit for that, and how much his work declined upon not having someone to counter his decisions
reply
Giuseppe
I literally love this series. I hope they will go on with the next episodes and cover up all Film History til our days! Waiting for them!
reply
I literally love this series. I hope they will go on with the next episodes and cover up all Film History til our days! Waiting for them!
reply
Daniel
I am addicted to this series. Before discovering it, I only watch science videos (e. g, Space Time. Thanks for expanding my horizons.
reply
I am addicted to this series. Before discovering it, I only watch science videos (e. g, Space Time. Thanks for expanding my horizons.
reply
Amor
This guy is awesome, I like the way he's talking with
thank you Crashcourse for making me realize the importance of my mind.
reply
This guy is awesome, I like the way he's talking with
thank you Crashcourse for making me realize the importance of my mind.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
