STUDIO 13 - History
What ever happened to Studio's 1 to 12?
A potted History of the world of Studio 13.
In the early 1890's, the world saw the invention of the first motion picture cameras, which quickly led to the establishment of the earliest film production companies.
In 1897 a rotating camera able to take panning shots was developed, and shortly afterwards the first film studio was built. By the early 1900's minor special effects were introduced and successive action shots were achieved, along with close ups. The supernatural community quickly became enamoured with this new technology - Vampires centuries old sat enthralled as they watched a sunrise occur for the first time since their turning, ghosts watched enraptured as images caught on film spoke to them in a way the real world never did any more, and monsters of all shapes and sizes were thrilled to see representations of themselves scaring a whole new generation.
The most popular early movies were known as "chase films", where a villain was chased by the hero for almost the whole picture. In 1905, the first successful permanent theatre, or cinema, The Nickelodeon, was opened in Pittsburgh, America. Only five years later, actors were credited in the films, and newsreels were played alongside movies. But try as they might, the supernaturals could never take part. The films took on the moniker of the one thing that stopped them joining in - The silver screen, also known as a silver lenticular screen, was the type of projection screen that was popular in the early years of the motion picture industry. The term "silver screen" comes from the actual silver content embedded in the material that made up the screen's highly reflective surface - and it was this and the silver nitrate used in the film stock that stopped our heroes from displaying their acting talents.
New methods of filming and lighting were developed all the time, and during the First World War, the cinema became increasingly important, not just for morale, but for keeping everyone informed about world news. As a result, cinema venues became larger all across Europe, America, Australia and Britain. And through all this, the supernaturals watched humans in bad rubber suits pretending to be them.
Following the end of World War II, when the cinema became one of the most important propaganda machines of the war, the 1950's saw a 'Golden Age' in cinema. Not only were films being made in English, but in all languages, right across the world. More importantly, a Norwegian Mad Scientist by the name of Ragnhild Tomine invented a procedure by which digital visual information could be captured and stored. (Her son, Steven Sasson, would later go on to use his mother's discovery to officially patent the world's first digital camera in 1975) Ragnhild used her invention, and the backing of some unnamed and very reclusive Hollywood businessmen to put together a private Studio specialising in "Hammer Horror" style movies - only this time starring the real monsters!
As the decades passed however the public grew tired of a diet of just horror movies, the industry fell victim to its own cult of celebrity and the money dried up. Most of the other Studios in Hollywood either closed their doors or amalgamated. Studio 13, with its talented stable of actors survived through forced diversification, with each actor taking on extra roles as crew on some of the other productions that the Studio was doing - everything from manning the cameras, directing, producing, editing and even making the tea.
Then, about ten years ago, The Writers came. The Studio was pushed from making movies into the world of cable TV, and the new scripts they provided were unlike anything seen before. Despite the professional critics savaging them, (at least at first), the public adored them, each show creating its own legion of dedicated viewers, fanatics and cosplayers.
For the supernatural community working at Studio 13 it was heaven. A steady (if small) paycheck, acting opportunities previously unthought of, and all the fun of going to conventions and meeting their adoring public "in costume".
In the last year however, something has changed. Viewer numbers have dropped off for the first time. Fan mail has dwindled, and product endorsements have dried up. Have the writers lost their mojo? Is something more sinister at foot? Or has the fickle finger of fame merely decided to point somewhere else?
Regardless of the reason, the word has come down from on high. At the end of this year's seasons, one of the Studio's shows, whichever has the lowest ratings or quietest fan base, will be cancelled.
Will it be yours?