His First Job

Plot

His First Job follows the comedic misadventures of a newly hired shop assistant who begins his first day of work with enthusiasm but lacks any practical skills. The young man attempts to help customers but consistently makes disastrous mistakes, including breaking merchandise, mixing up orders, and creating chaos throughout the establishment. His well-meaning but incompetent actions frustrate both his employer and the customers, leading to increasingly absurd situations that escalate throughout the short film. The narrative culminates in a final catastrophe that results in his immediate dismissal, serving as both a cautionary tale and physical comedy spectacle characteristic of Méliès' style.

Historical Background

1908 was a pivotal year in early cinema, marking the transition from novelty films to more sophisticated storytelling. The film industry was rapidly professionalizing, with companies like Pathé and Gaumont dominating the market and making it difficult for independent producers like Méliès to compete. This period saw the rise of longer narrative films and the decline of the trick films that had made Méliès famous. In France, the cinema was moving from fairground attractions to permanent theaters, changing audience expectations. The social context of 1908 included increasing urbanization and the growth of retail culture, making a film about shop work relatable to contemporary audiences. The film also reflects the early 20th century fascination with incompetence and slapstick humor that would later become central to silent comedy. Technologically, 1908 saw improvements in film stock and cameras, though Méliès continued to use techniques he had developed in the 1890s.

Making Of

His First Job was created using Méliès' signature theatrical approach to filmmaking, with actors performing in highly stylized manner against painted backdrops and constructed sets. The film was likely shot in one day, as was common for Méliès' short productions, with the camera remaining stationary throughout to capture the action as if it were a stage play. The physical comedy required precise timing and coordination, with props designed to break or malfunction at specific moments for maximum comedic effect. Méliès, who often acted in his own films, may have directed from behind the camera while giving verbal instructions to the actors. The film's editing was minimal, consisting of simple cuts between scenes rather than the elaborate substitution splices Méliès used in his fantasy films. The hand-coloring process, if applied to this film, would have been completed by women workers in Méliès' studio who carefully applied color to each frame using stencils.

Visual Style

The cinematography in His First Job reflects Méliès' consistent approach throughout his career, featuring a static camera positioned to capture the action as if viewing a stage performance. The film was shot using the standard 35mm format of the period, with Méliès' typical use of deep focus to keep both foreground and background elements visible. The lighting was natural, coming from the glass roof of Méliès' studio, creating even illumination across the set. The store setting was constructed as a three-dimensional set with painted backgrounds, creating depth within the frame. The camera work is straightforward without the movement or angles that would become common in later years. Some versions of the film may have featured hand-coloring, with selective colors applied to highlight important elements or create visual interest. The cinematography prioritizes clarity and visibility of the comedic action over artistic experimentation, serving the narrative needs of the physical comedy.

Innovations

His First Job does not showcase the elaborate special effects that characterized Méliès' most famous works, but it demonstrates his technical proficiency in creating controlled comedic situations. The film uses practical effects and props designed to break or malfunction at specific moments, requiring precise timing and engineering. The set construction shows Méliès' continued attention to detail and his ability to create convincing environments within the constraints of his studio. The film's editing, while simple by modern standards, was sophisticated for its time in its use of cuts to advance the narrative and maintain comedic rhythm. The hand-coloring process, if applied to this version, represented a significant technical achievement requiring skilled artistry. The film also demonstrates Méliès' mastery of the stationary camera technique, using composition and blocking to create dynamic visual interest without camera movement. The synchronization of physical comedy with the narrative progression shows advanced understanding of comedic timing in the medium of film.

Music

As a silent film, His First Job had no synchronized soundtrack, but it would have been accompanied by live music during exhibition. The musical accompaniment would have varied depending on the venue, ranging from a single piano in smaller theaters to small orchestras in more prestigious cinemas. The music would have been selected to match the comedic tone of the film, likely featuring popular songs of the era or classical pieces arranged to suit the action. The tempo would have accelerated during moments of physical comedy and slowed for more contemplative moments. Some exhibitors might have used sound effects created live, such as crashes or bangs to emphasize the destruction of merchandise. The musical accompaniment played a crucial role in setting the tone and enhancing the comedic timing of the visual gags, as was typical for silent comedy films of this period.

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception of His First Job is difficult to document due to the limited film criticism of 1908, but Méliès' works in this period generally received less attention than his earlier fantasy films. Trade publications of the time likely noted it as another of Méliès' productions without extensive commentary. Modern critics and film historians view the film as an interesting example of Méliès' later work and his adaptation to changing cinematic trends. The film is often mentioned in scholarly discussions of Méliès' career trajectory and the evolution of early comedy. Some critics note that while the film lacks the imaginative spectacle of Méliès' best-known works, it demonstrates his continued craftsmanship and understanding of visual comedy. The film is generally regarded as competent but not groundbreaking, representing Méliès' struggle to remain relevant in an increasingly competitive film industry.

What Audiences Thought

Audience reception of His First Job in 1908 is not well documented, but it likely appealed to viewers looking for light entertainment and relatable comedy. The workplace setting would have been familiar to urban audiences of the time, and the physical comedy would have been universally understandable across language barriers. The film's short runtime and straightforward humor made it suitable for the varied programs typical of early cinema exhibitions. However, by 1908, audiences were becoming more sophisticated in their tastes and may have found Méliès' theatrical style somewhat dated compared to newer, more naturalistic approaches being developed by other filmmakers. The film's survival suggests it was considered valuable enough to preserve, indicating it was at least moderately successful. Modern audiences viewing the film often appreciate it as a historical artifact and an example of early comedy techniques, though the humor may seem quaint by contemporary standards.

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