Silentology is a
personal favorite of our blogs. Lea takes a fun and fresh approach to movies
that a lot of people – even classic movie fans – think are old and dull, or
hard to follow. It’s refreshing to see someone so young who is interested in
movies that are so old. But, somehow, it makes perfect sense. Lea’s enthusiasm
for early film springs from her own sense of wonder at new experiences and
reminds us that what is truly classic is timeless and speaks to all generations.
Her playfulness can be seen right now in the “Halloween” banner at the top of
Silentology, where a red-eyed and fanged Buster Keaton examines a reel of film.
The seriousness with which she takes historical research can be verified in her
article on the “Big Four” of comedy, in which she examines a thorny question
among silent movie fans.
Lea says “My
post In Defense of the Big Four of Silent
Comedy is a good example of what I try to do with Silent-ology--be
informative, be interesting to read, share detailed knowledge of silent films
AND offer some fresh perspectives. Hope you enjoy!”
CMBA: What sparked
your interest in classic film?
Silentology: Well,
I grew up with tons of classic films-- ones made from the '30s through the
'60s, that is. Rogers and Hammerstein musicals, Alfred Hitchcock, Laurel and
Hardy, classic Disney, film noir, screwball comedies--everything. My mom loved
old movies, so I watched hardly anything else. My particular obsession with
silents, however, didn't start until a few years ago when I started watching
them on YouTube for fun. Once I stumbled upon the work on Buster Keaton, I was
officially sold. In a way, silents were my perfect match. Not only was I
already very comfortable with older movies, but ever since I was little I had
always been interested in things that were obscure. Obscure names, obscure old
books, obscure countries on the map, you name it. Georges Melies said that when
he first encountered moving pictures in the 1890s he immediately thought,
"This is for me!" That's exactly how I feel about the silent
era--"This is for me!"
CMBA: What makes a
film a "classic" in your opinion?
Silentology: It's
a well-made, well-paced film that's stood the test of time, and can still
entertain or move people today. Being "dated" isn't always a flaw,
necessarily. It just has to "work." Being a good example of skilled
filmmaking is usually a must, although there are exceptions for some low-budget
films that still make an impact on people.
CMBA: What classic
film(s) do you recommend to people who say they hate old movies?
Silentology: For
one thing, if someone says they hate old movies I usually assume they haven't
watched one! Or at least, that they happened to be introduced to one that
absolutely didn't appeal to their interests. Since my niche isn't just old
films, but really old films, the biggest challenge is to prove to people
that movies from their great-grandfather's day were often just as entertaining
and well made as the ones made decades later. Buster Keaton shorts always do
the trick for me--they're fresh, very funny, briskly paced, and everyone has
always been impressed by them. Once they've gotten a taste of how good silents
can be, I'll follow up with whichever film I feel will pique their interest.
For some it might be a short drama, for others maybe a flapper flick. Usually,
mentioning how fascinating it is to actually see history, rather than
just read about it, is enough to make people feel curious. (It helps when
you're enthusiastic, too!)
CMBA: Why should
people care about classic film?
Silentology: Oh
my, let me count the ways. For one thing, appreciating classic film is no
different from appreciating art or literature. And it's incredibly important,
because it's influenced the way we think and feel about countless subjects,
such as history, romance, issues of the day, and so on. Plus, with film, we
have the rare ability to study an art form from its clear-cut beginnings. I'll
add that it's also a window into history unlike anything else--a chance to go
back into time, in a sense.
CMBA: What is the most
rewarding thing about blogging?
Silentology: It's
the gift that keeps on giving! The biggest thrill is getting feedback from
readers who appreciate my posts. And I can confirm that it can lead to so many
wonderful things. My blog's led me to attending film festivals, conventions,
and special movie screenings I wouldn't have heard of otherwise. I've visited
Hollywood (twice!), met wonderful new friends, and even met some relatives of
old Hollywood stars. Little did I know when I started Silent-ology, that it
would truly change my life. So I say, if you have an inkling that you'd like to
start a blog--do it!
CMBA: What challenges
do you face with your blog, and how do you overcome them?
Silentology: While
I usually can find time to write, I have jobs that tend to be physically
tiring, and at the end of a long day it can be tough to sit down and try to
gather my thoughts together. And, of course, I can procrastinate as much as the
next person. Sometimes it helps to make yourself write steadily for half an
hour, take a ten minute break and go do something else, then sit down and write
for another half an hour. And ultimately, there are times when you have to get
tough with yourself and decide that when you sit down to write, you have to do
it, no ifs, ands, or buts!
CMBA: What advice
would you give to a new blogger?
Silentology: Other
than "go for it!" I say to do two things. First, get to know people
in the film community--if anything, find some fun Facebook groups to
join. I was in various silent-related groups for years before even
thinking about being a blogger, and as it turned out, knowing fellow fans
helped me find an audience much quicker. Second, write a bunch of posts before
you make your blog "go live." Then you'll get some practice and see
if it's to your liking, and you'll also have a stash of material ready to go.
Thank you for joining us, Lea! You can visit Silentology HERE.
https://silentology.wordpress.com/
