Who Created One Reelers?
The one-reeler is a term used commonly in the film world to describe the stark 10-12 minute cartoon comedies. Or similar duration films that spanned one reel. And frequently was most popular among the silent film era. One reelers come as a result of the traditional terminology of a film reel. Which was the first known use of a reel for showcasing processed films to audiences. While we know that the one-reeler is a term for a single film reel. Who created one-reelers?
One-Reel of Film
The term, one-reeler is used to describe a film that spans the average 10 to 12 minutes of a single film reel. The standard length of a 35mm film reel is 1,000 feet. When shown at a rate of the standard 24 frames per second, that 1,000 feet of film would result in about 11 minutes of footage for sound film.
Silent films would run for about 15 minutes under the same, 1,000 feet of film at approximately 18 frames per second.
In the earliest days of film and motion pictures, we saw one-reelers and two-reelers taking the stage. The one-reeler would hold about 1,000 feet of film and the two-reeler holding closer to 2,000 feet of film.
Most movies of the earlier times were sent on two-reelers and spanned closer to 25 to 30 minutes.
Who Created One Reelers?
In describing who created one-reelers, it’s hard to say specifically. These films were essentially short films, spanning under 15 minutes, and typically were either cartoons or comedies.
The longer, two-reeler films, were those used for motion picture films such as action movies, and other films of the sort.
Producers
Certainly, John Randolph Bray produced many one-reelers in his time as a producer. Likewise, Jack Kofoed was responsible for directing many one-reelers. Harry Foster also played a role in directing one-reelers. But all of these directors were primarily involved in the production of live-action sports.
Windsor Mccay produced three one-reel films that were released between 1911 and 1914. His cartoons were about 6 years prior to the patent wars. Which resulted in a focus on the tracing, printing, and celluloid sheets. Which would later be used in the production of future one-reelers by cartoonists.
In 1917, Willis O’Brien produced several one-reelers for the Edison Company. These were representative of an animated and clay modeled dinosaur series as well as giant apes. They came years before the King Kong cartoons that he would produce 15 years later.
Finally, Disney would produce the Alice Comedy. A one-reeler that represented the pilot of Alice’s Wonderland of 1923. Additional Disney Alice cartoons would be produced as the years progressed.
No Straight Answer
As you can see, it’s hard to pinpoint who created one-reelers. Because the term is used to describe a single roll of 1,000 feet of film that could show virtually any program. But which usually showed comedies or cartoons most frequently.