As we count down the final moments of 2024, you can help us bring history to life with an incredible addition to our collection: the Style-15 American #Fotoplayer.

Built in the 1910s and 1920s in Berkeley, CA, this instrument was created to transform #silentfilm into an immersive experience. From dramatic piano melodies to comedic sound effects, it allowed a single musician to orchestrate the magic of early cinema. With your support, we can acquire this rare piece of history and keep it alive for years to come.

This piece is the only one of its type in existence. Consider a donation today!

Technical details, a demo video, and a donation link are here: https://nilesfilmmuseum.org/?tv=6391263150735360&to=6412761049595904

Or you can bypass Paypal fees by sending a check to:

Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum
37417 Niles Blvd.
Fremont, CA 94536

(Include a note with your name and email address so you can be contacted about the premiere screening with the Fotoplayer).

Thanks for your support!

For more info email us at [email protected]

End the new year with a clang! (and a tax deduction!)

We are fundraising to purchase a #Fotoplayer--a fantastic #PlayerPiano (it also has a keyboard so it can be played by our talented accompanists) with a range of different voices and sound effects--it's designed especially for #SilentMovie theaters. It's a local product, too, built in Berkeley, CA.

Here's a demo of the machine in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8m-Qmti1ug

More videos and a donation link here: https://nilesfilmmuseum.org/?tv=6391263150735360&to=6412761049595904

If you'd like to donate but want to avoid PayPal fees, you can write a check directly to the museum. Make checks payable to NESFM and write on the memo line--Fotoplayer. Also include a note with your name & email so you can be contacted about the premiere screening with the Fotoplayer after it is installed. Mail checks to:

Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum
37417 Niles Blvd
Fremont, CA 94536

Thanks for your support!

For questions or comments, email us at
[email protected]

#silentfilm #filmhistory #filmmastodon

JOIN US for GIVING TUESDAY!

GivingTuesday and year-end fundraiser for Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum

https://nilesfilmmuseum.org/?tv=6391263150735360&to=5056327162527744

#SilentFilm #GivingTuesday #HistoricPreservation #Niles #Fotoplayer #FilmHistory #GivingTuesday2024

Eu sou fascinado com a forma como filmes são produzidos, os detalhes técnicos, os artifícios. Mas nunca tinha ouvido falar do fotoplayer nem sabia do seu papel em filmes mudos. E depois de ver os vídeos desse artigo minha cabeça explodiu!

#cinema
#cinemamudo
#fotoplayer
RE: mastodon.social/users/gutenber…

Dans les cinémas muets, il n’y avait pas toujours seulement un pianiste. Il y avait aussi de drôles de machines qui faisaient piano mécanique et orgue, et pouvaient en plus produire des effets sonores innombrables : le photoplayer avec plusieurs fabricants et modèles, dont ce Fotoplayer.

On a l’utilisation classique de rouleaux de papier perforés qui contiennent la musique, mais aussi tellement d’effets et de choix à faire en temps réel que l’opérateur en joue littéralement, comme le fait cet étonnant Joe Rinaudo.

Voir aussi sur Wikipédia.

#cinema #silentmovies #muet #photoplayer #fotoplayer