Georges Melies
Marie-Georges-Jean Méliès, was a French illusionist and filmmaker well-known for leading many technical and narrative developments in the early days of cinema
Georges discovered the Stop Trick in 1896.
Georges started off as an illusionist. He purchased Theatre Robert-Houdin. Over the upcoming decade, Georges created more then 30 illusions.
As owner of the theatre, George continued to work more behind the scenes to oversee everything.
In 1895, George and Co patented Kinètographe Robert-Houdin, a projector.
Méliès made 531 films between 1896 and 1913. Ranging from 1 to 40 minutes.
Melies first film was Playing Cards in 1896
In total Melies made 78 films in 1896. He covered every genre in film such as documentaries, comedy, and fairy tales. Melies also made pornographic films.
Melies was well known around the world and was at the peak of his fame. In 1902, Melies made his most famous film A Trip To The Moon
Melies broke his contract with his company Paths, but he couldn’t afford to pay back what he owed to the company, which resulted in him losing his home. In 1913, his first wife died which left him raising his son alone.
In 1917, the French army turned his studio into a hospital for wounded soldiers.