Perceiving the Arts: An Introduction to the Humanities (8th Edition)

Book Description

KEY BENEFIT: Written for individuals who have little or no knowledge of the arts, Perceiving the Arts has a specific and limited purpose: to provide an introductory, technical, and respondent-related reference to the arts and literature. KEY TOPICS: Intended to give basic information about each of the arts disciplines–drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, sculpture, architecture, music, theatre, dance, cinema, landscape architecture, and literature–the book seeks to give its readers touchstones concerning what to look and listen for in works of art and literature. MARKET: For arts and humanities instructors and enthusiasts.

Customer Reviews:

Great Replacement for our old book.......2007-01-17

I managed to have this book added as an alternate after fighting for years to teach another text, Humanities Through the Arts. That text had a very bad habit of talking in circles and I spent more time trying to explain the book than I did teaching the course. Our students normally have little to no exposure to the Arts and are easily discouraged. Not only is this little book half the price of the other but it is very straight forward in its approach. If you want a book that offers lots of chapters for testing purposes this isn't it. If you want a book that nails down the basics, especially if you do a lot of group work and use projects rather than test, this text nails down the basics..

Pretty good book.......2005-01-02

I have taught a course on the Humanities using this book, and found it mostly spot on in its specific contents. How to present all of the Humanities using one paperback? But - with just a few exceptions - this presents a good first look and useful rules of thumb in approaching the various disciplines. In areas that are underserved, such as Landscape Art, it actually fills a void. I recommend it and will use it again.

Informative.......2004-01-05

I used this book for my introduction to fine arts class and thought it was very good. Easy to understand and follow, and gave good information straight out without haveing to search for defintions or other stuff.

If it were possible...........2003-11-17

If it were possible to describe this book in stars it would be 0 stars. Here are just a few of the problems found within the text. 1) Writing is boring. 2) Some of the pictures are repeated in the black & white sections. 3) The usage of webpages instead of having illustrations & pictures makes the text boring. 4) No companion website for the web addresses noted.

Amazon.com

Scottish artist Andy Goldsworthy uses a seemingly infinite array of purely natural materials, from snow and ice to leaves, stone, and twigs in the creation of his one-of-a-kind sculptures. Unlike such artists as Christo and Michael Hiezer, whose works leave definite marks on the landscape, Goldsworthy's approach is to interrupt, shape, or in some other way temporarily alter or work with nature to produce his fragile, mutable pieces. To create "Broken Icicle," for example, Goldsworthy was only able to work on the sculpture in the early morning, when temperatures were below freezing. As with most of his works, ultimately, the materials used to create this piece returned to their natural state, leaving no trace of the artwork's existence save for the stunning photos in this book.

Customer Reviews:

Awe inspiring photography from the master of nature........2007-09-17

This is classic Andy at his finest. A must have for your coffee table, bookshelf or any tucked away corner or your home. Fantastic intro book to get anyone to know Andy and his work. A great gift. Pick up a few for yourself.

Beautiful.......2007-07-30

This is a beautiful and original look at nature as art. Gorgeous photos and well put together, insightful commentary by the artist.

Absolutely superb.......2007-07-12

I cannot reccomend this book enough. It is one of the freshest and most unique photo / art books I have ever seen. Goldsworthy's ideas are rock solid and the book will amaze anyone with even the slightest desire to see good art.

When I had lost all hope ..........2007-05-12

I have tried to find Andy Goldsworthy's 'Ice and Sno' for quite a few years without any luck. I had already given up on ever finding it again at a reasonable price when this new title appeared. This books contains photographs of Andy's many and various creations, including quite a few in ice and snow. I am really happy with it!

So Beautiful it brings tears to your eyes.......2007-05-03

Some of the work is so beautiful I could cry. Some delight, some amaze, some leave you reflective. It makes you want to go out and experiment in the world yourself or take a walk. It is truly an amazing book.

Average customer rating:

Thought provoking
Buildings and aesthetics
Beautiful Buildings
archi student
Architecture of Happiness

The Architecture of Happiness
Alain De Botton
Manufacturer: Pantheon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0375424431
Release Date: 2006-10-03

Book Description

One of the great but often unmentioned causes of both happiness and misery is the quality of our environment: the kinds of walls, chairs, buildings and streets that surround us.

And yet a concern for architecture and design is too often described as frivolous, even self-indulgent. The Architecture of Happiness starts from the idea that where we are heavily influences who we can be, and it argues that it is architecture’s task to stand as an eloquent reminder of our full potential.

Whereas many architects are wary of openly discussing the word beauty, this book has at its center the large and naïve question: What is a beautiful building? It is a tour through the philosophy and psychology of architecture that aims to change the way we think about our homes, our streets and ourselves.

Customer Reviews:

Thought provoking.......2007-09-09

I had read Alain's earlier book on the Consolations of Philosophy and caught parts of the TV series concerning this book. It is a difficult book to describe but I believe thought provoking and comforting are probably best. Alain considers why we are drawn to certain styles of homes and the assumptions architects and engineers have made in constructing homes and cities. I would read sections of the book then put it aside to consider the matters he had raised. This book explained my unease in some houses and love of others. I loved it.

Buildings and aesthetics.......2007-08-15

More a description than an attempt to explain. An important topic treated in an interesting manner.

Beautiful Buildings .......2007-08-03

Architecture of Happiness is a philosophical and thought provoking book on architecture . De Botton begins by asking, "what is a beautiful building?" and through the book answers the question in inspiring ways. Beauty, he says, lies between the extremities of order and complexity. For a building to be beautiful it needs the confidence and kindness to be a little boring, but too boring and it is condemned for its tedium. "We delight in complexity to which genius has lent an appearance of simplicity." We need to feel that the simplicity a building displays is hard won.
His aim is not only to have beautiful architecture but to combine that with "the pursuit of an exuberant and affectionate family life;" architecture helping us live well.
De Botton discusses modern architecture and its folly, the idea of a global appearance and local look to architecture, architecture and theology, buildings having the power to improve us morally and spiritually.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading and contemplating De Botton's ideas on architecture and the happiness we can attain through buildings well done.

archi student.......2007-08-02

Although I would certainly agree that De Botton is a talented and captivating writer, I feel that "The Architecture of Happiness" falls well short of a serious examination of architecture and its ideals. This book is perfect for anyone who possesses a casual interest in architecture. The more serious architecture student or architecture aficionado, however, will find little valuable content in this book. Some of the conclusions that De Button reaches are not well thought out (and frankly a waste of time to consider critically) in that the book tends to focus upon superficial aspects of architecture. De Button should not be mistaken for a serious critic or architecture historian. This book is not a good read for an architecture student seeking well-researched theory or an in depth understanding of our relationship with the built environment.

Architecture of Happiness.......2007-06-26

I'll admit that I bought Alain de Botton's book, "The Architecture of Happiness" because I thought it'd look good on my coffee table. But when I took the time to open it up, I could not put the book down. Alain de Botton examines how a building or rather, any physical object impacts our mood. When I see a building like the White House, how do I feel and why? Those are the types of questions that are answered throughout this book. I didn't agree with him at first that architecture can change the way you feel, but the more I read the book and the more I took the time to pause and think about it; I found that I truly am impacted in a positive or negative way by what I see. What I also liked about the book is that the author takes the time to cover other things such as nature and urban planning, because buildings aren't the only things we see.

Whether you're in the Architecture field, or just looking to read a good book, this one is for you. I often take a while to read a book, and I will admit that I do at times find reading boring. However this book was never boring and as a result I read it in just two days. After reading this book, you'll never look at a building or any work of art in the same way.

Art of Technique, The: An Aesthetic Approach to Film and Video Production

Average customer rating:

A first-rate primer for the aspiring filmmaker
An Excellent Overview
good intro for the novice filmmaker
Stick to "Film Art" by Bordwell/Thomspon
Best introduction to filmmaking I've found

Art of Technique, The: An Aesthetic Approach to Film and Video Production
John S. Douglass , and Glenn P. Harnden
Manufacturer: Allyn & Bacon
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0205142486

Book Description

This book provides readers with a teaching tool not currently available. It fills a gap in the literature by going beyond simple discussions of hardware usage, basic technical knowledge, and descriptions of technique to in-depth discussions of how this knowledge can be applied in a coherent approach to production.

Customer Reviews:

A first-rate primer for the aspiring filmmaker.......2002-01-21

"The Art of Technique: An Aesthetic Approach to Film and Video Production," is more of a primer than it is a critique of cinema. Yes, there is a big difference between this volume by John S. Douglass and Gleen P. Harnden and "Film Art: An Introduction" by David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson. The latter utilizes literally hundreds of frames from both classic and relatively unknown films to demonstrate cinematic techniques. "The Art of Technique" does the same thing with student models. Whether this has to do with the cost of using copyrighted images and/or transforming them into individual frames for use in a book, this is a major difference between the two textbooks. When Douglass and Harnden discuss something, like Ingmar Bergman's use of Extreme Close-ups (ECU) in "Scenes from a Marriage," they can only talk about the extraordinary intimacy it gave the production, without offering visual evidence to support their claim. However, the authors do use their "homemade" examples to good use at time; for example, when exploring the concept of framing they provide examples of "bad" shots (filled with distracting clutter) before showing better choices for the cinematographer.

"The Art of Technique" is divided into two main sections. After an introductory chapter on "Interpretation and Treatment," there are six chapters focusing on the various ways a film can tell a story, essentially pre-production considerations. There is a nice little section detailing the basic types of stories Hollywood tells over and over again ("Jack the Giant Killer," "Fish Out of Water," etc.). Clearly the emphasis here is more on production than criticism, which makes the orientation of this textbook more towards the filmmaker than the movie audience. This first section ends with a look at Mise en Scene and questions of design. In terms of concepts covered, separate from the issue of how those concepts are presented in the textbook, the authors provided a comprehensive, well-organized presentation.

The second half of the book covers "Techniques for Interpretation," which starts with a consideration of the trinity of how the camera, editing and lighting can be used for interpretation. Again, everything is here; I could not find a concept or technique that was an obviously glaring omission. The book concludes with a pair of chapters on Symbols and Significance, which get into the impact film can have on an audience. You might expect to find a glossary at the back of the book, but instead we have a pair of appendixes on Electricity and Measuring Light, which only serves to reaffirm that this book is geared towards the novice filmmaker. If you are looking for a textbook that because you are a budding film critic, then this is not going to be your first choice. I can even make the argument that by not saturating their textbook with frames from dozens of films, Douglass and Harden do their readers a favor, because instead of borrowing shots and techniques from the acknowledged masters of the art form, they are being asked to reinvent the wheel. Do not knock this, because that is basically how we think Orson Welles made "Citizen Kane."

An Excellent Overview.......2002-01-15

This book explores many aspects of filmmaking in a logical, easy-to-follow manner. A great find, albeit a bit pricy. I used it as my text for teaching a video class as it offers some aesthetic considerations for why techniques may or may not be used in a given situation. This approach helps to minimize the technique-euphoria beginners tend to have with techniques which are new to them (ala George Lucas in the new Star Wars...)

good intro for the novice filmmaker.......2000-04-21

this book works very well as an introduction to the creative use of techniques for filmmaking. it is quite clear and concise and is not bogged down by too much technical details or dicussions on film theory. a good starting point.

Stick to "Film Art" by Bordwell/Thomspon.......2000-04-17

I was shocked when I looked over this book. I had always relied on "Film Art" which is the standanrd intro to film but I wanted to branch out. I found this book to be a superficial approach to cinema, no probbing analysis or challenge to interpretaion of technique or narrative. Save your money and stick to the classics. No one seems to use this book in higher education film studies- ask your professor to suggest a book.

Best introduction to filmmaking I've found.......2000-02-16

I teach filmmaking, and needed a book that covers all the basics in a few meaty and meaningful pages. This is it. Most books on filmmaking technique either wax philosophical on the author's pet theories or get lost in gee-wiz-you-can-do-this-neat-trick-with-the-camera mania. There's little of either here; instead, you'll find a focused, highly readable series of lessons on what really matters most--how to communicate a meaningful message on film or video. Unlike some VERY annoying books that give examples of lighting and other techniques via badly drawn line-art, this book shows every technique with actual stills from video shoots so you can see how lighting, framing, lens use, etc. actually change the appearance and impact of a scene.

There are also numerous references to excellent classic and modern films with quite specific suggestions for examining the techniques that make those films work so well. Perhaps most important of all, the authors never lose sight of the fact that filmmaking is about interpreting and creating a reality that evokes a meaningful and powerful experience for the audience.

Product Description

The Art of Aesthetic Surgery: Principles and Techniques is a groundbreaking work in aesthetic surgery with comprehensive, clinical information on the full range of aesthetic treatments and operations. Tissue Fillers, Skin Care, Fat Grafting, Body Contouring after Massive Weight Loss Surgery (MWL), Blepharoplasty, Rhinoplasty, Liposuction, Abdominoplasty, Neck Lift, Gluteal Implants, Mastopexy, Reduction Mammaplasty, and Brow Lift are all covered in exquisite detail, as are numerous other topics. Eleven extraordinary chapters are included on rhytidectomy alone. To supplement these 3 comprehensive volumes, 5 DVDs are included. These contain 8 operative videos featuring key techniques discussed in this work. For the aesthetic surgeon interested in providing patients with the latest treatments and procedures, this book and DVD set is a must. It is paced with step-by-step surgical instruction, clinical caveats, and surgical pearls. Dr. Foad Nahai, a renowned leader in aesthetic surgery, has personally written one third of the chapters for this lavishly illustrated 3-volume semi-atlas work and carefully edited the rest. His contributors represent the who s who of aesthetic surgery. Of particular note are the Clinical Decision-Making Chapters authored by Dr. Nahai; these invaluable chapters provide the reader with a unique overview of the various options for each problem along with his preferred solutions. This problem-solving feature, complete with algorithms and case studies, offers readers the expert guidance necessary to sort through the options, understand their advantages and limitations, and select the best option for each patient.

Average customer rating:

Interesting Conceptually-Based Phenomenon
An exciting and thought provoking book
Good Topic with Poor Translation

Relational Aesthetics
Nicolas Bourriaud
Manufacturer: Les Presse Du Reel,France
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 2840660601

Customer Reviews:

Interesting Conceptually-Based Phenomenon.......2007-06-23

I became interested in this book after viewing Ben Lewis's BBC Four documentary on Relational Art, of which this book was the axis. It was a fascinating look at a dynamic and provocative development in the relationship between people and their environment; some approaches being more overtly political than others.

Anybody familiar with Fredric Jameson's theory of postmodernism's cultural logic will see an economic imperative in this conception of art. It also meets at a juncture with the Situationist desire for the supercession of art. Which then lends itself to Baudrillard's theory of the disappearance of art.

All very stimulating areas of discourse at the social/economic/cultural interstice.

Anyone at all interested in the peculiar and fascinating forms developing in our time of metaphoric and symbolic fluxian will wholeheartedly appreciate these critical insights.

An exciting and thought provoking book.......2007-06-18

This is an excellent book for anyone interested in performative and relational art. The translation is a little dodgy at times but the book is well worth it's price for provocative ideas, critical insight, and inspiration.

Good Topic with Poor Translation.......2006-02-24

I am just beginning my venture into critical discussion of the Arts and reading Relational Aesthetics sparked my interest in art's effect of linkageing and relating. The author explores and gives names of many artists working in the 90's that used human interaction as their medium.

The bad parts about this book are the many misspellings and the major stylistic shifts in the writing and translation.

Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste

Average customer rating:

Bourdieu
A Must Read!
read it for the diagrams
A brilliant look at the social implications of taste
Good French ethnography from brilliant intellect

Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste
Pierre Bourdieu
Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0674212770

Book Description

No judgement of taste is innocent. In a word, we are all snobs. Pierre Bourdieu brilliantly illuminates this situation of the middle class in the modern world. France's leading sociologist focusses here on the French bourgeoisie, its tastes and preferences. Distinction is at once a vast ethnography of contemporary France and a dissection of the bourgeois mind.

In the course of everyday life people constantly choose between what they find aesthetically pleasing and what they consider tacky, merely trendy, or ugly. Bourdicu bases his study on surveys that took into account the multitude of social factors that play a part in a Frenchperson's choice of clothing, furniture, leisure activities, dinner menus for guests, and many other matters of taste. What emerges from his analysis is that social snobbery is everywhere in the bourgeois world. The different aesthetic choices people make are all distinctions-that is, choices made in opposition to those made by other classes. Taste is not pure. Bourdieu finds a world of social meaning in the decision to order bouillabaisse, in our contemporary cult of thinness, in the "California sports" such as jogging and cross-country skiing. The social world, he argues, functions simultaneously as a system of power relations and as a symbolic system in which minute distinctions of taste become the basis for social judgement.

The topic of Bourdieu's book is a fascinating one: the strategies of social pretension are always curiously engaging. But the book is more than fascinating. It is a major contribution to current debates on the theory of culture and a challenge to the major theoretical schools in contemporary sociology.

Customer Reviews:

Bourdieu.......2007-02-18

I think that if you are interested in this book, then you probably know what you are in for. It's hard going (of course) but worth the effort.

A Must Read!.......2004-04-03

This is a fantastic explication of how social class prearranges our tastes and interests. I disagree with the reader who thinks that it is not applicable to American society--to the contrary. It is true that American culture is not so obviously stratified in the exact same ways as French culture (of the 1960s, I would add, when Bourdieu collected his data). Also, in American culture there is less of a tendency to exploit the social markers (dress, etc.) that one might find in Europe, and it's hip nowadays for the middle-class to adopt the style and dress of the street (e.g., hip-hop); nevertheless, I'd say that this is a veneer of street-cred, and that if you were to look at how the middle-class actually lives compares to those where hip-hop originated, you'd find some pretty significant differences.

However, his basic differentiation between working class/petit bourgeois (small business owners, clerical workers and the like)/grand bourgeois (professionals, executives, and large industrialists) certainly carries over into American society. And most interesting is his claim that the higher up in the food chain one goes, the more one's taste in the "aesthetic" inclines towards Kant's idea of disinterested formalism, while the lower classes tend to want their art to be informed by ethics and morality.

Bourdieu sees these tendencies as "embodied" and largely unconsciously adopted through our upbringing. One only has to watch a television show like "The O.C." and how they cast Ryan's mother in comparison to the trophy wives of Orange County to see that even in America class and taste and body language are still encoded in our body language, choice of dress, manners, and conversational style. The economic reality of America is that a Wal-Mart worker or transcontinental trucker is NOT middle-class in the same way as a doctor, whether in terms of taste or salary. Anyone who thinks so is either deluding themselves or doesn't want to see the truth.

Bourdieu does not neglect to mention sex (although he doesn't have as much to say about race), and has sections on women's body image (the richer, the thinner) and how the different classes deal with food (high-fat, high-carb for lower classes, fresh veggies and lean meats for higher classes). In America, our current epidemic of obesity is not only the result of marketing campaigns, but also (perhaps largely) the result of poor quality food (e.g. fast food, prepared food) being made much more affordable than high quality food (fresh produce, fish, organic). If you can't afford to eat well in America, you probably won't.

Moreover, Bourdieu makes the observation, which holds true in America as much as anywhere else, that formal education (which reinforces "legitimate" taste) can change one's tastes and values, but that one's early social upbringing will lead to a quicker assimilation of "legitimate" culture. As someone who went to bourgeois schools without a bourgeois background, and who has subsequently taught at state universities in poor areas, this truism is so obvious as to hardly need explication. Much of the poor performance of underclass or non-bourgeois students is as much due to lack of early acculturation (by this I mean exposure to "culture" like non-Hollywood films, art museums, etc., but also the habits and customs associated with school learning and higher education) as it is to any basic intelligence.

Finally, it's true that Bourdieu's style is rather ponderous, repetitive, and academic, and the book is very long indeed. Nevertheless, I can't agree that it compares with the difficulty of Derrida, Jameson, Bhabha, or other high theorists. Bourdieu's sentences are sometimes long and have many subordinate clauses, but their basic subjects and verbs are easily identifiable! The Conclusion and Postscript do raise the level of difficulty, but the Introduction and body of the main text are accessible and basically say everything he has to say (many times). Anyone with a basic undergraduate education (one that has done its job properly) should be able to handle Bourdieu's style in this particular book.

read it for the diagrams.......2000-10-29

Distinction is the most cited book from Bourdieu, one of France's most prolific scholars. The book tends to assume that its readers are familiar with his key terms, developed mostly in _Outline of a Theory of Practice_ and _Logic of Practice_. Although it is the most cited, beginning readers of Bourdieu should probably start with _Partical Reason_ to get a handle on these concepts before getting involved in this larger tome.

Word for word, Bourdieu's writing style is not economical, and he is almost as cumbersome as Derrida. He does not approach the overly-complex mode of Deleuze and Guattari. His concepts bear the most resemblance to those of an early Baudrillard or a late Gramsci in terms of their interpretation of the social world, although he will depart into some more Marxist modes of interpretation.

Bourdieu's _Distinction_ is most valuable for his diagrams, as they provide a clear graphic representation of what he is trying to say. If one wants the read Bourdieu for content and/or argument, she would be better directed to one of his other books named above, as his arguments are more on-point and rpecide.

In addition, _Distinction_ is careful to limit itself to a data set collected in the late 60s and early 70s. Although the theory seems to be a sound one, Bourdieu makes claims of greater applicability in his books about the Bayle: _Outline_ and _Logic_. For discussions of modern Europe, his newer _Weight of the World_ provides a better, and more recent, analysis of the same social trends as in _Distinction_.

A brilliant look at the social implications of taste.......2000-09-12

I come back to this book time and again in my own work and see it as one of the most indispensible books today on issues of aesthetics, class distinctions, group identity, and covert social inequality. Bourdieu takes on the Kantian aesthetics of the "subjective universal," showing that the value judgments about things reflect material and social conditions and in fact index social and class differences. The way we classify things (operas, desserts, leisure activities) is inextricably tied up with the way we classify ourselves as social beings and others as members of other social groups.

Distinction is a long and difficult book, but from start to finish it is full of fascinating and original insights. Bourdieu's language is loaded with big words and long sentences, but I find that after I get used to the kinds of words and structures he uses, his language actually becomes pretty clear and straight-forward. It's definitely worth the time and brain-power needed to read it.

Good French ethnography from brilliant intellect.......2000-09-12

Pierre Bourdieu is a tremendous intellect, and has produced far superior work to this book. _Distinction_ is a fascinating book, particularly for those interested in French society. Yet its relevance cannot really extend to America, which has a markedly different system of class. The French have deeply entrenched class consciousness, in both a pragmatic sense and a Marxist sense, whereas 90% of Americans consider themselves "middle class." Bourdieu shows that the French are at pains to symbolically express their class differences, and he does so with aplomb. He compiles statistics and data which show ways in which the French produce their own class position through consumption, education, and taste. But his observations are less applicable to the vast American "middle class." Class mobility, education, and stylistic expression are much more democratically distributed in America. So while many French are content with their class position, vocation, and traditions, most Americans see themselves as "middle class," striving for better, and free from tradition. _Distinction_ is an interesting and accesible book, but those looking for Bourdieu's contributions to social theory will be better served by some of his other works.

Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics

Average customer rating:

5 stars
Best in field
motion graphics professor
Fundamental book on the theory of the moving image
The Filmmaker's Bible of Aesthetics or What Works and Why

Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics
Herbert Zettl
Manufacturer: Wadsworth Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0534526772

Book Description

This book describes the major aesthetic image elementslight and color, space, time-motion, and soundand how they are used in television and film. Zettls comprehensive coverage of aesthetic theory and his inclusion of effective visuals and examples place this text in a class by itself.

Customer Reviews:

5 stars.......2005-10-10

The book is totally new and under very good condition, and the dilievery time is much earlier than i expected.

Best in field.......2004-12-28

This text thoroughly explains the intricacies of applied media asthetics in a concise and completely accessible way. It is a well organizied text that ehances its presentation through the use of many illustrations. I believe that this is the best text on the subject and that it has been since its first edtion.

motion graphics professor.......2002-06-04

"Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics explains the WHY of film and video production. If you're looking for HOW then turn to another book."

I would disagree with the above review. Only by learning WHY first, can we learn HOW later. This book is more than a cookie cutter approach to film and video. If you want to "click and drag" your way through an editing program, then true, this book is not for you. Add this to your collection if you want a book that teaches how to see and create film. Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics has staying power.

Fundamental book on the theory of the moving image.......2001-05-20

This was the assigned textbook for my digital video 2 class, and it is simply wonderful. Zettl is a very knowledgable man on the subject of creating images for film, video, and even new media. (Zettl's text Video Basics 3 was used in my digital video 1 class as well) This book lays a solid foundation for the theory behind how and why the viewer perceives the moving image, and how the filmmaker and video producer can create more pleasing and coherent productions.

While the biggest complaint I've heard about this book is it's over-reliance on theory, it still does a good job of contextualizing theory into practical application. Thus the title of the book: APPLIED Media Aesthetics. Although I haven't read any of Eisentien's theories behind filmmaking, I suspect that Zettl's treatment would compete rather well, and is probably more accessible for a modern reader.

This book covers all the bases from color and light, time and space and structuring audio to image. Zettl succintcly deconstructs the intelligent mind behind the images and sound of our cultures film and television productions.

Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics explains the WHY of film and video production. If you're looking for HOW then turn to another book.

The Filmmaker's Bible of Aesthetics or What Works and Why.......2000-11-04

This is probably the most important textbook a film production student can have on his/her shelf. NOT for how to work with actors or how to light a scene, but for understanding the underlying reasons of why things work due to our learned aesthetics and Western sensibilities.

Professor Herbert Zettl has written the most concise manual on why we has film viewers percieve things the way we do. He explains in detail (and layman's terms) how our aesthetics have been formed to interpret the dynamic medium of film and television.

How editing of action from shot to shot creates the illusion of continuous motion. How stagelines work so not to give the effect that your actor is jumping around from one side of the scene to the other. How to crop your shot BETWEEN the bodies natural cut-off points (i.e. neck, elbow, waist) to prevent the actor from looking like a disembodied head or torso.

This book is cover-to-cover insights into what we as viewers take for granted when we watch a good filmmaker's work, but may not consider when faced with the daunting task of mounting a film production and the on-set "reality" problems that dominate the filmmaker's mind when shooting a film.

I first read this book when I was in film school twenty years ago. Since then I have directed many professional film productions and I still review it before starting a new one to refresh myself.

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Aesthetics: A Reader in Philosophy of the Arts (2nd Edition)

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Aesthetics: A Reader in Philosophy of the Arts (2nd Edition)
David Goldblatt , and Lee B. Brown
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Aesthetics | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Philosophy | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Arts & Photography | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books

Nonfiction | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
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ASIN: 0131121448

Book Description

This collection of readings is designed to introduce the philosophical problems of aesthetics as they pertain to specific arts e.g., Painting, Photography, Music, Film and Video Art, etc. KEY TOPICS: The nearly 90 readings represent recent continental thinking about the arts e.g., Derrida, Foucault, Baudrillard, Lyotard, Heidegger, Benjamin, and Adorno. Also, represents the analytic imagination in philosophers such as Danto, Goodman, Levinson, Urmson, and Scruton.

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