James Williamson

James Williamson

Directing

November 8, 1855 — August 18, 1933Kirkaldy, Scotland, UK

James A. Williamson (8 November 1855 – 18 August 1933) was a Scottish photographer and a key member of the loose association of early film pioneers dubbed the Brighton School by French film historian Georges Sadoul. He is best known for The Big Swallow (1901), a trick film with innovative use of extreme close-up, as well as Fire! and Stop Thief! (both 1901), dramas with continuity established across multiple shots.

Known for

The Big Swallow

The Big Swallow

1901

Fire!

Fire!

1901

Stop Thief!

Stop Thief!

1901

Attack on a China Mission

Attack on a China Mission

1900

The Little Match Seller

The Little Match Seller

1902

An Interesting Story

An Interesting Story

1904

Our New Errand Boy

Our New Errand Boy

1905

Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving

Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving

1906

Are You There?

Are You There?

1901

Magic Extinguisher

Magic Extinguisher

1901

Directing29

Early British Films from the Filmoteca de Catalunya 1897-1909

Early British Films from the Filmoteca de Catalunya 1897-1909

2023

Director

The History of a Butterfly: A Romance of Insect Life

The History of a Butterfly: A Romance of Insect Life

1910

Director

£100 Reward

£100 Reward

1908

Director

The Village Fire Brigade

The Village Fire Brigade

1907

Director

Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving

Flying the Foam and Some Fancy Diving

1906

Director

The Miner's Daughter

The Miner's Daughter

1906

Director

The Polite Lunatic

The Polite Lunatic

1905

Director

Our New Errand Boy

Our New Errand Boy

1905

Director

An Affair of Honour

An Affair of Honour

1904

Director

Gabriel Grub the Surly Sexton

Gabriel Grub the Surly Sexton

1904

Director

The Old Chorister

The Old Chorister

1904

Director

An Interesting Story

An Interesting Story

1904

Director

The Little Match Seller

The Little Match Seller

1902

Director

A Reservist Before and After the War

A Reservist Before and After the War

1902

Director

Magic Extinguisher

Magic Extinguisher

1901

Director

Fire!

Fire!

1901

Director

Are You There?

Are You There?

1901

Director

The Big Swallow

The Big Swallow

1901

Director

Stop Thief!

Stop Thief!

1901

Director

The Puzzled Bather and His Animated Clothes

The Puzzled Bather and His Animated Clothes

1901

Director

Attack on a China Mission

Attack on a China Mission

1900

Director

Lady Cyclists

1899

Director

Gymnasts on Parallel Bars

Gymnasts on Parallel Bars

1898

Director

The Clown Barber

The Clown Barber

1898

Director

Sloper's Visit to Brighton

Sloper's Visit to Brighton

1898

Director

Two Naughty Boys Teasing the Cobbler

Two Naughty Boys Teasing the Cobbler

1898

Director

Early Fashions on Brighton Pier

Early Fashions on Brighton Pier

1898

Director

Washing the Sweep

Washing the Sweep

1898

Director

Devil's Dyke Fun Fair

Devil's Dyke Fun Fair

1896

Director

Production4

The Boy and the Convict

The Boy and the Convict

1909

Executive Producer

Attack on a China Mission

Attack on a China Mission

1900

Producer

The Clown Barber

The Clown Barber

1898

Producer

Devil's Dyke Fun Fair

Devil's Dyke Fun Fair

1896

Producer

Writing3

Attack on a China Mission

Attack on a China Mission

1900

Writer

Sloper's Visit to Brighton

Sloper's Visit to Brighton

1898

Writer

Washing the Sweep

Washing the Sweep

1898

Writer

Camera2

The Big Swallow

The Big Swallow

1901

Director of Photography

Attack on a China Mission

Attack on a China Mission

1900

Director of Photography

Crew2

The Clown Barber

The Clown Barber

1898

Cinematography

Devil's Dyke Fun Fair

Devil's Dyke Fun Fair

1896

Cinematography

Acting1

Our New Errand Boy

Our New Errand Boy

1905

grocer