If you were to make a film about the 21st century in the same mode as those made by Thomas Edison at the Black Maria, what type of film would it be?

A) a special effects-driven superhero film (e.g., The Avengers)
B) a serialized fantasy epic (e.g., The Lord of the Rings)
C) a brief portrait of a popular quarterback throwing a touchdown (e.g., a YouTube video)
D) a comedy about dating (e.g., Bridesmaids)

Black Maria

The first movie studio: a crude, hot, cramped shack in New Jersey where Thomas Edison and his staff began making movies. So named because it resembled a late nineteenth century police paddy wagon, for which the slang term “Black Maria” was first used.

Special Effects

A range of processes used to enhance or manipulate the cinematic image. In the classical era, special visual effects included images comprised of superimpositions and/or images enhanced by rear projection or matte paintings and backdrops. More modern effects include the vast array of digital effects created by computer-generated imagery (CGI).

Serialized Fantasy

A narrative format often used in books, films, or series where a continuous fantastical story is told over several installments.