Customer Reviews:
Film: A Critical Introduction.......2007-09-12
Great book for a humanities class! I recommend it.
Great into to Cinema! Delivery quick and good condition.
A Superior, Well-Developed, Introductory Text . . ........2007-01-29
Whether you are a student or professor, there are a wide range of introductory film texts from which to choose -- it can be a bit overwhelming and a mistake is costly! This is especially true if you are the professor who is selecting an expensive text for your students (and they are all expensive) . . . you want provide them with a text worthy of the expense AND you do not want to invest additional hours photocopying material from other texts to compensate for less-than-fantastic chapters.
With this in mind, allow me to say that Pramaggoire and Wallis' text is the best I have ever encountered . . . bar none. I have used this text for over a year now, and the response has been extremely positive. It may initially seem irrelevant, but this text is extraordinary aesthetically appealing. Why is this important? Because we are talking about professors and students who have an interest in a VISUAL art. This text presents large, lush examples to compliment the text: not all texts invest this effort or expense. Moreover, the selected examples are spot-on . . . they are not randomly chosen BUT are the quintessential example of any given technique.
What makes this text great is both the organization (which others have mentioned) and the accessibility. Let's say you are not taking a formal class in film, you would have no problem reading this text solo. It is that understandable . . . and, let's face it, if an author cannot clearly explain an idea to a lay-person then he/she really do not know the subject. Pramaggoire and Wallis KNOW their subject.
And while there are several "well-written" texts on the market, not all incorporate contemporary examples. While Orson Wells and Ingmar Bergman are key to understanding film, one cannot successful base an introductory text on "The Greats." It simply does not engage the new student. Luckily, this text includes essential examples from film history as well as contemporary examples (like "Super Size Me," "Waking Life," "The Piano" and "Requiem for a Dream"). I am especially fond of the short analysis of Harron's "American Psycho" (an oft overlooked, cinematic masterpiece).
One final reason to select this text: while other writers are rehashing old critical approaches to film, Pramaggoire and Wallis select the most relevant and contemporary ones. They instruct readers on how to view a film in the context of race, gender, sexuality, class, and national identity: all of which are crucial to understanding film! Likewise, they address "film authorship" which is equally as valuable. The text is never bogged-down by jargon (many are) . . . nor is it heavy-handed in its approach. Unlike most texts, this one wants to be understood.
You will find texts with DVD-ROMs, texts with "writing" supplements, texts with online-course access, and other "bells and whistles" . . . but this text does not NEED any of that. (It seems the others are trying to compensate for their short-comings by including "bonus" material . . . but it just becomes MESSY!). I plan to continue using this text as a tool for teaching film . . . it is, BY FAR, the best on the market. It is "smart," beautiful, and completely accessible. Whether you are a professor seeking a new text or a lay-person looking to enhance your knowledge of film, you cannot go wrong with this work. Trust me, it is worth the price!!
Fabulous introduction!.......2006-01-19
This is not only the best introduction to film studies that I've found, it's also a model of how a textbook should be organized and written. After an opening chapter on plot structure and thematic analysis, it goes in-depth into the elements of film form, with chapters on narrative form, mise en scene, cinematography, editing, and sound. The final section includes chapters on documentary and avant-garde film, writing about film, social context, ideology, stardom, genre, film authorship, and the economics of the film industry. Everything is covered very in-depth and in detail, with lots of excellent examples and photos. There is also a helpful film glossary in back. The writing is model of clarity and organization. This textbook is notable for the way that writing instruction is integrated into the text. Each chapter concludes with brief essay which exemplifies the concepts and terms used in the chapter, and includes margin notes which discuss the formal and rhetorical features of a college essay, including organization, research, thesis statement, and so on. There is also a concise chapter devoted entirely to writing about film, including the different kinds of essays typically assigned by professors. Students who read carefully will be well prepared to write film analysis papers for their college classes. Since this is an introductory text, it doesn't try to give complete coverage to film history and film theory, although these topics are introduced. Film history and theory really need to be covered in separate books and classes, as the authors recognize.
As Reference & Textbook for "Intro to Film".......2005-08-26
As a current user of Giannetti's "Understanding Movies", I find this new text to be a breath of fresh air. First impressions: the initial page prior to the content is a splash-page still from Visconti's "The Leopard", a film that perhaps has seen recent resurgence of interest in the film community. Overall, the text tries to convey the thesis of "Film as Art & Cultural Phenomenon" with thorough examples & concise explanations. Also appreciated is the brief desc of "persistence of vision & the phi phenomenon" & other more operational/technical aspects of film, filming & projection equipment.
The book features examples of what could be student film analysis papers. It also goes about analyzing the road to writing essays with an adequate thesis statement.
The book's highlight is the Chapter on "Writing about Film", which will likely help students in their film journal writing & paper thesis formulation. There won't be an intro book to tell the entire "story" of film, but Prammagiore & Wallis's book provides a commendable "structure" with film stills that ties closely to their text.
If you're looking for a summary of general film history in intro film studies, I don't think you'll find it here. Still a highly recommended book for students of film.
Book Description
Shaped by Richard Barsam's more than twenty years of classroom experience, Looking at Movies uses students' natural enthusiasm for the subject as a foundation for going beyond enjoyment toward intelligent, analytical understanding of movies. Professor Barsam's clear writing, thorough presentation of fundamental film principles, and unique pedagogical additions to the traditional introductory text—including an entire chapter devoted to analytical writing—ensure that students approach screenings and writing assignments equipped with the analytical tools necessary to be active, insightful interpreters of movies. Looking at Movies is accompanied by two outstanding multimedia resources, the Student website and CD-ROM, both of which are integrated directly with the text.
Customer Reviews:
ontime and in good shape.......2007-01-10
It was in good shape, and I received it ontime.
Easily worth a look.......2004-01-03
Barsam's is a welcome addition to the field of introductory film texts, superior in many respects to similar entries (Giannatti, Phillips, etc.). The style is reader-friendly but in no way condescending; the examples are generous and representative of classic as well as current developments; the coverage is comprehensive. Indeed, with the accompanying CD-Rom and Website, the text is a virtual encyclopedia of information about the cinema, thereby justifying its slightly higher price. Moreover, this is the first text that begins to realize many of the media-specific qualities of the subject it attempts to illuminate.
This is a first edition, and understandably there are problems, some admittedly attributable to individual preferences. A few things I've noticed:
1. The website can be "buggy," at least to a Macintosh operating system. Numerous "Java Script" messages are appearing along with failures to play visual and audio files. Even with the misfires, the website is the most impressive I've ever used in conjunction with a text. Because of it, an instructor need have no apologies about using a text that includes discussions of numerous films unknown to students and impossible to screen in class.
2. The accompanying VCD contains valuable film examples but unfortunately doesn't include any clips from "Citizen Kane." I would hope that a future edition includes a DVD with Kane and other useful illustrative and instructive materials. Website information and quizzes often have too many technical glitches to make them effective time-savers for a teacher, who now must solve each student's difficulties with the website (the required 8-digit password doesn't help).
3. Barsam uses much personal and arbitrary descriptive language that subsequently becomes "reified" in the quizzes about the components of film. As a result, the quiz becomes as much about remembering the specific language of the author and textbook as about the properties of a filmic element (equally true of the book's competitors).
4. The order of topics will not appeal to every instructor. For example, the most basic element of film--the shot--isn't addressed until the discussion of photography in Chapter 4. Also, the attention to previously marginalized films and filmmakers can be quite uneven. African-American issues receive considerable space in several chapters in the book and on the website whereas feminist issues receive a couple of paragraphs. Moreover, there is very little consideration of "auteurism," the enabling and prevailing approach of academic cinema studies.
5. The author's lack of experience with literary and composition issues is frequently apparent, though to the book's credit ample space is given to student writing. Still, the treatment of point of view in cinema becomes problematic, especially when the author refers to the camera's perspective as "omniscient." Also, the inclusion of an exemplary student essay, while extremely welcome, represents an unfortunate choice, in my opinion, since the essay is somewhat sophomoric, exhibits clumsy writing and omits a thesis(!).
All in all, a promising production by Barsam and Norton. I look forward to giving it a test drive.
a very good and comprehensive introductory book.......2003-09-18
Just got this book and found it to be very well structured, with a comprehensive yet easy to understand language that made the material very compelling. It comes with a cd rom with film clips and it also offers website interactivity that supports and expands on the material covered by the book. The layout is very sleek and although a bit pricey ($ 70), this is what college textbooks go for now, so even at this price this book compares more than favorably to what's out there.
Book Description
An introduction to the film medium for both general readers and college-level film students. The book has three parts: The Expressiveness of Film Techniques, Types of Films, and Responses to Films. Also included are marginal definitions, a twenty-page illustrated glossary, a forty-page four column chronology, and more than 500 photographs and drawings.
Customer Reviews:
THE DEFINITIVE INTRODUCTORY TEXT FOR FILM STUDY.......2006-07-15
An outstanding beginning text for film study students. I am a film study and English teacher at the high school level, and I have been using this text for the past two years. The first four chapters provide essential terminology to effectively read and analyze a film. From mise-en-scene to cinematography to editing to sound, these first four chapters develop a solid foundation for beginning film students. The book provides classic film examples, both early classics and modern classics, and there are numerous examples of shots from these films to illustrate film terminology. The second half of the book provides some meaningful discussion of film genres, the context of film in society, and alternatives to live-action films. As a beginning resource, this text is user-friendly and interesting. I highly recommend this textbook for the beginning film study student.
Finally--a Relevant Film Book!.......2005-07-29
FILM by William H. Phillips has as its strongest point its relevancy to current events in light of past film endeavors. Recent films are discussed in the 3rd Edition as well as other editions with clarity and insight. Also, it is a rare film book that discusses the economics of film making and marketing of film in theaters and video formatting.
This work shows that other countries than the US also have an important cinematic history. This book encompasses both the American scene and the world historical perspective with its extensive chronology 1895-2003, and the relationship and mirroring of world events in film. This is a book to add to any collection of film reference guides. It is prime value for the money with 669 pages of prolific color plates and black and white photos of actual film shots.
Not very informative.......2005-04-04
I've taken a couple film classes in college so far and I have to say that this book is not very enlightening. For the most part, this book discusses film concepts and assigns them terms. It spends a lot of time stating the obvious and little time going into any significant depth.
It is a long book full of general information that you will already know if you are a regular movie-goer, nevermind a student of film. It lacks significant coverage of the history of film.
I recommend avoiding it if you can and buying an inexpensive used copy if you must buy it for class.
You can learn far more about film simply by using Google or Wikipedia. The freely available information on the Internet far surpasses the mediocre offerings of this book! Don't waste your money!
Informative, easy to grasp, introduction to film concepts.......1999-09-11
Phillips has written an accessible, up-to-date, and lively book suitable for anyone who wants a basic understanding of the art of film. It is arranged so that a discussion of film techniques is first, liberally illustrated with shots from numerous films (including newer releases). One of the nice features of the book is it identifies and points out the differences between publicity stills and frame enlargments. The rest of the book discusses how movies are developed, their sources, genres, and characteristics. There is a detailed chapter on alternatives to live-action films (especially focused on animation). The book's final section addresses the social meanings of films, and provides a sample analysis of Altman's "The Player." Throughout the text are sample student papers, to demonstrate how to write about film in a critical way. In the introductory film appreciation class that I teach, students preferred this book to Bordwell and Thompson's "Film Art." For them, all the examples and photographs enhanced the concepts, while the marginal definitions helped them remember key terms. Students also appreciated the inclusion of recent movies they have seen, as well as classics like "Citizen Kane." From this college professor's point of view, the book is best for beginners, who just want to know more about film techniques and analysis. However, even advanced students would find it a useful summary of film concepts.
Book Description
Shaped by Richard Barsam's more than twenty years of classroom experience, Looking at Movies uses students' natural enthusiasm for the subject as a foundation for going beyond enjoyment toward intelligent, analytical understanding of movies. Professor Barsam's clear writing, thorough presentation of fundamental film principles, and unique pedagogical additions to the traditional introductory text—including an entire chapter devoted to analytical writing—ensure that students approach screenings and writing assignments equipped with the analytical tools necessary to be active, insightful interpreters of movies. Looking at Movies is accompanied by two outstanding multimedia resources, the Student website and CD-ROM, both of which are integrated directly with the text.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent for a Student.......2007-07-12
I bought this book my sophomore year in college. I was enrolled in a class that had the most boring professor who didn't give any insight into film at all. He just sat back and popped in a movie and left the room. To purchase the text was optionial, and since I am very into film I decided to purchase it. Currently I am a junior at UB in Buffalo, and earning my BA in Film Studies and theory, with hopes of one day teaching a much more interesting college level course then my previous professor. I found this book very enlightening for catching up on what many professors left out or never mentioned. It is pretty much for starters and film fans that are just starting out getting serious. It makes references to classics, foreign, and more culturally "brain dead" college flicks such as Something About Mary. Thats what drew me to this book, it doesn't single out film to be an artsy serious look at film when it doesn't need to be. It pays respect to all types and genres of film, giving credit for what they all brought to the big screen.
The book sums up basic termonology, jobs and history all related to cinema since the start. It can be critized as being to plain and simple at times, but good to be the first book to start your collection of film references and texts. I used to bring this book and long car drives, plane trips and just when I was sitting on my couch during commercials, while using post-its and a highlighter on nearly every page. I would highly recommend this book for someone who wants to familiarize themselves with film technique and study on a basic, yet enlightening level.
Excellent Effort . . . Excellent Price.......2007-02-11
If you teach at a university, you may know the anxiety of selecting a new text. Can you justify the exorbitant cost? Does the text competently address the basics? Will you be forced to hover over the photocopy machine, creating supplements to a less than adequate text? Here is the scoop on "Looking at Movies" . . .
The Good:
1.) It is inexpensive. Students will appreciate the price-break.
2.) It is, overall, aesthetically pleasing (which will make students more amenable to your class).
3.) It incorporates often over-looked films (like Fincher's "Fight Club")
4.) It strives to both acknowledge film history while examining contemporary works (contemporary works engage students . . . films from the 1980's, not so much!)
The Bad:
1.) The examples are slightly too small and a bit washed-out (I think as a result of the paper-stock of the actual text). The publishing company (Norton) should have allowed the examples a larger, lusher format and charged a little more . . . especially when a textbook is dedicated to a VISUAL art!!
2.) Though just released, this text references out-of-print films. For example: Jane Campion's "Portrait of a Lady" has been out-of-print for a while . . . it is currently $79.00 here (in mint condition). None of my students have ever seen this film . . . they cannot relate. This is a problem that should have been caught in editing.
3.) My copy arrived with advertisement postcards stuck in the text. Can you imagine asking your students to pay $50.00 for a text and then have advertisements spill from the pages as though it were Cosmopolitan magazine?! Tacky. (Again, not the author's fault).
The Not-Quite-Ugly but Not-Pretty-Either:
1.)The "Critical Approaches" and "Applied Readings" sections would have to be excised with an X-acto knife. While some of the approaches are interesting (to me), they are a bit odd for an introductory text (ex. cognitive psychology). I would be uncomfortable with a student thinking that these are the most common/valued approaches to film.
2.)The text is accompanied by two DVDs AND a "Writing about Movies" mini-text. I've never been a fan of the "more is more" idea, but what perplexes me is how all of these components are separate from the text (again, not the fault of the author). Why wasn't the mini-text (53 pages) incorporated into the actual text? "Removed," this mini-text carries little weight . . . it's authority is strangely compromised. Concerning the DVDs: what would have been fantastic is two little sleeves inside the text for them. Instead, here are two DVDs, packaged separately, just rolling around in space (and under dorm beds). Again, psychologically there is a sense of "is this a part of the text or was it some promotional product?" There is a disconnect. It would have been spectacular had these elements been integrated into the text itself: one unified product.
If you are seeking a newer text for your class (or even your own private study), consider Maria T. Pramaggiore's "Film: A Critical Introduction." While your bookstore will charge $80.00 for it, Amazon asks only $68.00 . . . so have your students buy it here!! The examples are lavish, the text informative and concise, and the critical approaches are a bit more relevant to the casual student (gender, class, sexuality, race, national identity etc...).
Some schools impose (or suggest) a textbook-expense cap. If this is your predicament, this text is a good choice. If not, examine Pramaggiore's text and then decide.
Average customer rating:
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Picture Editing: An Introduction (Journalism Media Manual)
Tom Ang
Manufacturer: Focal Press
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0240514696 |
Book Description
Picture Editing provides a thorough grounding in the art and discipline of picture editing and picture management. Tom Ang discusses the varied contexts in which picture editing operates, including the thorny subject of image manipulation, and provides a framework for understanding picture editing as a many-stranded and complex task.
This new edition combines detailed descriptions of the techniques and technology involved, with checklists, glossary and exercises to help the student or trainee. It is illustrated with many photographs, including over forty colour photographs in the plate section.
Essential introduction for anyone involved in picture editing Covers the latest digital technology and the issues it raises
Comprehensive coverage of legal, ethical and moral issues
Book Description
An Introduction to Film Studies has established itself as one of the leading textbooks for students of cinema. This completely revised and updated third edition guides students through the key issues and concepts in film studies and introduces some of the world's key national cinemas including British, Indian, Soviet and French. Written by experienced teachers in the field and lavishly illustrated with 129 film stills and production shots, it will be essential reading for any student of film.
Customer Reviews:
Good on facts...low on theory.......2006-01-30
This is an excellent book as far as hard facts are concerned, but needs to be read in conjunction with, for example, Studying the Media by Tim O'Sullivan for a complete knowledge of film theory and analysis.
A First Rate Introduction to Film - it will get my degree !.......2003-06-12
The book is very strong on context and easily absorbed hard facts - espeecially for instance Kochberg's first long section. Here his infectious style, grasp of the essentials and bang up to date comment on the evolving Industry pay dividends. I have heard him on a lecture tour and he leaves you wanting to make that film - and knowing how to do it ! I have ordered the new 3rd addition for the class behind and I will be using it it my tutorials as I approach my own degree deadline. Kochberg is the most articulate contributor -- his Intro To Documentary Film is also essential -- but the other writers are very strong of core knowledge and context. Cleverly chosen illustrations.
This Intro to Film Studies is indispensible........2003-06-11
This excellent Film Studies Introduction -- just out now in its 3rd edition at June 2003 - is direct, fact filled, challenging to the Intro student and global in its scope and mercifully free of acadenic buzz words. Kochberg's first part is very relevant Intro students - a low key triumph of context and explication/ Refer to Kochberg's new book from Wallflower: Intro to Documentary Film. A team book for the student film team.
WE ARE THE: WE LOVE JILL NELMES FANCLUB!.......2000-04-13
WHAT A FANTASTIC BOOK! Ms NELMES IS RENOWNED FOR BEING AN UNENTHUSIASTIC SARKY SELFISH NON-CONSIDERATE PERSON! WHO QUITE FRANKLY HAS MADE MY LIFE HELL BUT I'M NOT BITTER, OH NO! I AM NOT. SERIOUSLY WHAT A GREAT BOOK FOR ANY ONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEND THE REST OF THEIR LIVES CONDEMNED TO SHEER MISERY AND DEPRESSION
Simply the best.......2000-02-03
Wow, everybody should own this book, simply wonderful. I am on my way to becoming a film maker, and this book helped me all the way. Without this book, I am nothing!
Book Description
From weddings to making your own films, transform your video-making with this special, easy-to-use guide from digital expert, Tom Ang.
Customer Reviews:
Great, very comprehensive and cleary shown!.......2007-01-10
I don't know why people have reviewed this as a bad book! I feel that the book does a great job of showing an overview of the history of different techniques of special effects. If you know a child or teenager that is interested in special effects (movie magic!), you should get this book for them. I have even enjoyed it very much, as an adult. Also, there's great pictures in this book, and plenty of them. Well worth it.
Superficial and too expensive.......2006-12-21
Although the world of Special effects is a great topic for a book, this new offering aimed at young readers is dissapointing on many levels. It is way too expensive for what it has to offer, and dwells too much on movies we already know well. If you are looking for a nice book about effects, you will get much more for your money if you choose other books published before.
Good book, but the price is high.......2006-07-09
The book is about the history of special effects and the different types of special effects used in movies over the years. It talks about mechanical effects, miniatures, matte art, make-up, digital effects, etc. It also discusses the digital revolution. It's mainly a book for a younger audience.
It's a nice little book about special effects. The price is at $26 and you think you would be getting a big and extensive book on the subject, but the book is only 128 pages, give or take a few pages for the copyright and index. This book isn't worth more than $12 maybe $15. Luckily I borrowed a copy from the library, but I think most people who buy this will be disappointed to open the box and see a small book. I just wanted to tell you that first because I thought that was something important for consumers to know before they buy this book. On the other hand, it is a good introduction on the subject, especially since it's about the length of an introduction of a larger book. It's not a bad book but the price could be better. The price is going to set some people off.
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