Edwin Stanton (S.) Porter (1870-1941) was a pioneer in the film industry as one of the first real film directors, who also developed a story with a progressive narrative, which are the kind of movies we have today. He started out in the industry by inventing his own projection device known as the Beadnell, which created a more vivid and steadier picture than what else was out there. However, production was cut to a halt after a fire started and he lost it all in 1900. In the same year, Porter was hired by the Edison Company to help improve their film equipment.
Justus D. Barnes in "The Great Train Robbery".
It was working for the Edison Company that Porter saw most of his success, going on to create several films that would become immortalized for the industry. His first, The Great Train Robbery, (seen right) was the first movie to have an actual plot that progressed with each scene. It also had the era’s first special effects, including things such as gun shots aimed at the camera. This movie became an instant hit, and led Edison to allow Porter to create many more one-reel films. This film is also considered the be the start of the genre of Western films as we know them today. Though no longer all that popular, this genre saw a huge success especially when John Wayne literally came into the picture.
"Life of an American Fireman" (1903) - Edwin Porter