Artistic Creation (1901)

Aug 27, 2014



A wonderful short film directed by illusionist-turned-filmmaker Walter R. Booth and produced by Robert W. Paul - one of the earliest examples of trickery in the editing room enabling an artist's creation to come to life on screen, a popular motif in early film. The film features a "lightning sketch" artist drawing a picture of a woman which comes to life piece by piece - first the head, then torso, arms, and finally legs. As the artist gets to work on his next creation, what turns out to be a baby, the woman scarpers leaving the man alone holding the baby and finally offering it to the camera, and therefore us the audience. Michael Brooke of BFI Screenonline, considers the story "a metaphorical cautionary tale about the responsibilities that should be borne by both creative artists and indeed the male sex in general."