This was the
first motion picture studio built expressely for this purpose,
replacing the film shed erected Building one end of
the "Black Maria" was the room which film was loaded and
out the camera.
Part its roof could opened let light. The vaudeville skit could
easily transferred second film and the proximity of
New York the laboratory guaranteed ready supply talent.
During 1893 and 1894 procession vaudeville performers made
their way from Manhattan West Orange perform the
"Black Maria": animal acts, dancing girls, strong men, and
famous figures such Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill.2
grounds the laboratory make motion pictures. set rails ran the length the
building and the camera was run along this— achieving steady
picture." The building was about forty feet long and ten
feet wide. Edison
took personal interest finding new talent; after. (See Illus 6-7, 23440, 6570) Its interior was made
completely black create high contrast, giving sharp,
well-defined picture. was made wood covered with black tar paper and
it moved circular track follow the movement the sun. The building cost $650 and earned its
place film history.
The subjects filmed the "Black Maria" came from the
vaudeville: the dominant form public entertainment the
time and favorite Edison's. Although it
was described "revolving photographic building," has
become famous under the nickname coined for the lab— "the
Black Maria
