Cine film

Although there had been earlier attempts, typically employing larger formats, the introduction of the 9.5 mm and 16 mm formats in the early 1920s finally succeeded in introducing the practice of showing rented "play-at-home" copies of professionally made films, which, in the case of feature-length films, were usually much shortened from the originals.

More significantly, these new cine film gauges were the first truly practical formats for making casual amateur "home movies" of vacation trips, family gatherings, and important events such as weddings.

On occasion, professional filmmakers employed cine film for cost-saving reasons, or to evoke a particular aesthetic effect.

Cine film, being commonly available, was also used to record scientific data, such as observations of animal behaviour[2][3] and human gait.

Color video cameras, previously beyond the financial reach of all but the richest amateurs,[citation needed] gradually became cheaper and smaller.