The world of cinema is usually very appealing to children because they can experience incredible adventures with film characters. But while young children see cinema as part of reality, schoolchildren wonder how films are made. They want to see a film set, take part in the making of a film story and learn how the masterpieces of cinema were created. All this is on show at the Deutsches Filmmuseum in Frankfurt.
The two floors of the permanent exhibition are filled with fascinating exhibits, working models of historic equipment and interactive stations. Large-screen projections invite visitors to explore moving images and experience the fascination of cinematography.
The ground floor of the museum is dedicated to the appearance of the first 'moving pictures', covering the period from the 16th to the 19th century. From the magic lantern to the cinetoscope, from the camera obscura to the device invented by Louis Lumière to capture moving objects, the whole history is presented here.
The name 'cinématographe', which Lumière gave to his device, is now used to refer to the entire film industry. There is a small cinema on the ground floor showing films by the Lumière brothers and Georges Méliès. Interestingly, it was Méliès who invented the first special effects for his films.
Within walking distance is another fascinating museum that we recommend visiting - Museum for Communication
On the first floor, visitors can experience film factory. How does music influence the perception of an episode? What is the effect of changing the order of the episodes? Why are lighting and set design important? What tricks do actors use when they're not playing people but animals or even aliens? How do special effects work? These subtleties are illustrated by clips from famous films, both old and new.
They can also take part in the editing of scenes by working at a real editing table. Children also enjoy posing in front of the green screen — they may already be imagining amazing special effects.
The museum also has a collection of film artefacts: film sketches and storyboards, costumes of film characters, recognisable props and even an Oscar statuette. It must be said that the costumes are not just clothes, but also the monstrous shell of the Alien from Riddley Scott's film. The third floor of the museum is reserved for temporary exhibitions.
After the tour, you can grab a bite to eat in the film café or pop into the museum shop, which sells books, CDs, postcards and film posters.
