How did film studios initially respond to the introduction of sound?

Disable ads (and more) with a membership for a one time $4.99 payment

Study for the FIL2030 History of Motion Pictures exam at UCF. Engage with multiple choice questions and gain insights through detailed explanations. Ace your exam!

Film studios initially responded to the introduction of sound with hesitance, viewing it as a potential minor trend rather than a revolution. This cautious approach stemmed from several factors, including the significant investments already made in silent film technology, the belief that dialogue might not translate universally across different languages and cultures, and concerns about the technical challenges and costs associated with integrating sound into productions. Thus, many studios took a wait-and-see approach before fully committing to sound, preferring to observe how audiences and critics reacted to the initial films that incorporated sound before embracing it as a standard practice in filmmaking. This period of uncertainty ultimately led to a more gradual adoption of sound technology within the industry following the success of early sound films like "The Jazz Singer."