Joseph Perry (cinematographer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Henry Perry
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Joseph Perry with equipment
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| Born | 5 August 1863 Birmingham, Warwickshire, UK
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| Died | 29 April 1943 (aged 79) Sydney, Australia
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| Occupation | Salvation Army officer, cinematographer, entrepreneur |
Joseph Henry Perry (born August 5, 1863, in Birmingham, UK – died April 29, 1943, in Sydney, Australia) was an amazing pioneer in early filmmaking. He was an English-born New Zealander and Australian filmmaker, a smart business person, and an officer in the Salvation Army. Joseph Perry was born to Joseph Perry Sr. and Eliza Hall. His sons, Orizaba, Reginald, and Stanley, also became important people in the Australian film industry.
Perry helped create Australia's very first film studio in Melbourne. He then made some of the earliest multimedia shows for the Salvation Army's Limelight Department. One of his most famous works was Soldiers of the Cross, which he made with Herbert Booth.
Joseph Perry made history by filming the first-ever inauguration of a country. This was when Australia became a nation. He also started the Salvation Army's Biorama companies. These groups traveled across the country with special projection equipment and electric generators to show films and presentations to people everywhere.
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Early Film Adventures
Joseph Perry was a true innovator in the world of movies. He didn't just make films; he helped build the very first film studio in Australia. This was a huge step for filmmaking in the country. He also worked with the Salvation Army to create special shows. These shows combined films, slides, and live performances to tell stories and share messages.
Filming History in the Making
One of Joseph Perry's most important achievements was filming the creation of Australia as a nation. In 1901, he captured the "Inauguration of the Commonwealth" on film. This was the first time in history that the start of a new country was recorded this way. It was a big moment for both Australia and for filmmaking.
Traveling Shows and Bioramas
Joseph Perry also came up with the idea of "Biorama" companies. These were like traveling movie theaters. They had all the equipment needed, including electric generators, to show films in different towns and cities. This allowed many people to see movies for the first time, bringing entertainment and education to communities far and wide.
Notable Films by Joseph Perry
Joseph Perry created many important films during his career. These films helped shape early Australian and New Zealand cinema. Many of them were documentaries, showing real events and places.
Films Made in Australia
- 1898 Social Salvation: A documentary film.
- 1899 Passion Films: A short film.
- 1900 Second Victorian Contingent Leaving Melbourne: A short documentary.
- 1900 Soldiers of the Cross: One of his most famous works.
- 1901 Inauguration of the Commonwealth: The historic film of Australia becoming a nation.
- 1901 Royal Visit To Open The First Commonwealth Parliament: A documentary about a royal visit.
- 1904 International Congress of the Salvation Army: A documentary about a large Salvation Army event.
- 1908 The Great White Fleet Visits the Antipodes: A documentary about a famous naval fleet.
- 1909 Heroes of the Cross
- 1909 The Scottish Covenanters
Films Made in New Zealand
- 1898 Māori Scenes: Films showing scenes of Māori life.
- 1901 Royal Visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York to New Zealand: A short documentary about a royal visit.
- Waimangu Geyser in action: A film showing a famous geyser.
- 1905 James Cook's 1769 landing in Gisborne: A re-enactment of a historical event.
