ABSTRACT
By investigating the physical characteristics of the motion picture form, we arrived at the conceptions of space, picture and sound, means of expression, enlargement and composition, the scene with its components of place, time and the lapse of time, the selection of information, and the division of knowledge. The enumeration of these factors is sufficient to prove that the motion picture is a new and original form of storytelling, as different from the others as the opera from the short story, or the stage play from the novel. Hence we must cease to consider this new form as a slight variation from existing methods of storytelling. Instead of burdening it with rules and prejudices from other arts, we must concede to it an independent life and shape. To stress this point even further, it may be advantageous to compare the physical characteristics of the three principal forms of storytelling.
