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Author : Mark Cousins
Edition : 1
Number of Pages : 512
Publisher : Da Capo Press
List Price : $24.95
Amazon Price : $14.23
Used Price : $11.20 |
Product Description The Story of Film presents the history of the movies in a way never told before. Weaving personalities, technology, and production with engaging descriptions of groundbreaking scenes, Mark Cousins uses his experience as film historian, producer, and director to capture the shifting trends of movie history without recourse to jargon. We learn how filmmakers influenced each other; how contemporary events influenced them; how they challenged established techniques and developed new technologies to enhance their medium. Striking images reinforce the reader's understanding of cinematic innovation both stylistic and technical. Presenting three epochs — Silent (1885–1928); Sound (1928–1990) and Digital (1990–Present) — The Story of Film spans the birth of the moving image; the establishment of Hollywood; the European avant-garde movements; personal filmmaking; world cinema and recent phenomena such as Computer Generated Imagery and the ever-more "real" realizations of the wildest of imaginations. Here are mainstream entertainment films and maverick talents, breathtaking moments and technical revolutions, blockbuster movies and art-house gems, icons of the screen and the hard workers behind the scenes. It is a powerful story of the world's most popular artistic medium. Customer reviews Emphasis on Style and Innovation in World Cinema by .. Sylvia Bagley (Santa Monica, CA USA)
Mark Cousins' impressive overview of the last 100+ years in world cinema is both engaging and meticulously researched. Unlike the frustrating collective anthology "1,001 Movies You Must See Before You Die", "Story" is very much a personal project; as Cousins writes, his goal is to "open a door to the world of cinema and describe *a* reliable path through it" (emphasis mine). He's quick to point out that many beloved films and directors are missing from the text, and it seems pointless to try to quibble with his selections -- indeed, omissions seem inevitable in such a massive undertaking.
With that said, the book is not an entirely successful venture, primarily due to Cousins' frequent references to technological and stylistic innovations which the average reader (even the "intelligent general audience" member he appeals to) will find obscure, and which the more informed reader may quibble with. On page 482, for instance, he references "the unflattering honesty with which [Nan Goldin] films people and her habit of non colour-correcting sodium lighting" -- the majority of readers will have no idea what "sodium lighting" refers to, while photography buffs will argue that the available natural lighting Goldin relies on is likely tungsten, not sodium. Similarly, on pages 250-251, Cousins mentions that the lens used to film several sequences in Bresson's "Pickpocket" was "50 mm, which approximates human vision"; this estimation is only accurate for 35 mm still photography, but, more importantly, his point will likely be lost altogether on most readers. Ironically, I believe Cousins' explanations would benefit from *less* detail and more strategic scaffolding of the basic ideas he'd like to get across to interested readers.
Keeping in mind once again that Cousins very clearly stipulates that he's taking a "certain path" through world cinema, readers should note that many of the selections in his book will not necessarily be enjoyable to the average (again, even the average "intelligent") cinephile. Cousins' appreciation is more that of an art historian than a moviegoer. With that said, it's undeniably refreshing to see the more obscure gems of "third world" cinema given their due, even if most viewers will never find copies to rent.
In sum, this meticulously crafted book (albeit one full of typos, which should be addressed before a second printing) will excite and inspire most readers to watch -- and re-watch -- literally hundreds of diverse films. Years after taking my first film appreciation course in college, I've been reminded about the meta-narrative of movies over the ages, about how cinema often reflects diverse sociological concerns, and about how directors tend to build upon (or diverge from) their predecessors. It's an exciting story, and Cousins is a worthy, dedicated storyteller.
Good Book, Cheezy Cover by .. Harlem Brother ()
I was looking for a good, current history of world film and ran across this one in the bookstore. The cartoony cover and the Jack Sparrow image made me immediately doubt whether this would be the serious overview I was looking for so I bought this in tandem with the "Oxford History of World Cinema" which takes rather a more academic and in-depth approach to film than this one.
I've been reading this book with pleasure over the last two weeks and can say it has brought a lot of aspects of film watching and appreciation to my attention. The author's style is engaging, weaving fluently through different directors, nations and genres. The focus is on more artistic, groundbreaking and influential works, taking the auteur approach - focusing more on the directors than actors or other facets of cinema. That's probably what I like most about this book, that it's a celebration of great artists, treated with great care and enthusiasm. The author's love of cinema and his passion for the art is evident throughout.
I'd say the average reader ought to have a decent viewing history to fully appreciate the book, say, at least the knowledge of some films from the likes of Pasolini, Bergman, Dreyer, Wilder, Ozu, etc. to fully appreciate the book, although no one genre, film or director is taken too in depth as it goes for a wider scope. The text is augmented by beautiful stills, much of it to highlight visual and technical changes throughout cinematic history. The physical quality of the book is great, with glossy pages and photos (If it weren't for that horrid cover art!)
On the not-so-positive side I was surprised to see Cassavettes barely mentioned and Peter Watkins' total omission from the book (which would support Watkins' and others' claim that he is the most marginalized director of the latter half of the twentieth century). There are many who consider Watkins the most important British director of his generation. How can the author slight such artists in a serious historical survey? The other complaint I have are the atrocious number of spelling errors of a very basic variety. It bcomes slitely anoyying aftar a wile.
If you're looking for a more technical, in depth or academic approach, then I'd suggest "Oxford History of World Cinema", but I think you'll find "The Story of Film" a more accessible and enjoyable read.
Content: 4 stars
Cheesy Cover Art (which almost certainly wasn't the author's idea): 1/2 star
Related Search : story film , worldwide history  |
Author : Bruce Block
Number of Pages : 288
Publisher : Focal Press
List Price : $40.95
Amazon Price : $34.55
Used Price : $7.85 |
Product Description The Visual Story offers students and professionals in cinematography, production design, directing and screenwriting a clear view of the relationship between the story/script structure and the visual structure of a film or video. An understanding of the visual components will serve as the guide in the selection of locations, set dressing, props, wardrobe, lenses, camera positions, lighting, actor staging, and editorial choices. The Visual Story divides what is seen on screen into tangible sections: contrast and affinity, space, line and shape, tone, color, movement, and rhythm. The vocabulary as well as the insight is provided to purposefully control the given components to create the ultimate visual story. For example: know that a saturated yellow will always attract a viewer's eye first; decide to avoid abrupt editing by mastering continuum of movement; and benefit from the suggested list of films to study rhythmic control. The Visual Story shatters the wall between theory and practice, bringing these two aspects of the craft together in an essential connection for all those creating visual stories. *Encourages the filmmaker to develop a "visual vocabulary" *Shows the filmmaker how to structure visuals, communicating moods and emotions with style and variety Customer reviews Great Book, Shame About The Publisher... by .. A. Ra-ey Saleh (Sydney, Australia)
This really is a fantastic textbook about the basics of everything visual in TV/Film.
The other reviews go into more detail about its strengths, which are many and I won't repeat here.
On the downside: you can tell the author is a teacher - you get the sense you're in a lecture at times. And the amount of repeated information is amazing. Whilst at times this is useful (re-iterating something that was mentioned earlier in the book), sometimes he repeats the same lines over and over again on the same page, which is dull and gives the reader no credit at all. My main criticism is unfortunately the cheapness of the publishing. This edition actually has 'Color Pages' in the middle of the book (I thought they stopped doing that 50 years ago), whilst the rest is B/W. This is fine for the most part, but on the chapters on Colour, it's really awful. You basically have to imagine most of the concepts he's describing. Whoever thought that was a good idea needs to be shot. Hopefully the 2nd edition has rectified this.
Overall, I think this will be a set text for most universities and is definitely recommended, if you can get past the academic tone and cheap publishing.
Simply Invigorating  by .. S. Wiser (Utah, USA)
After reading this book, I have a greater sense of cinematography and am surprised at how easily this came. Bruce Block explains the visual construction in a simple way by using common concepts to tie every element of a production together in an easy-to-use package. I have not only been able to identify the concepts as I watch film, but apply the concepts in all my design arenas. I highly recomended this book!
A clear and insightful guide to seeing the visual structure of moving images by .. Nathan Andersen (Florida)
"The Visual Story" really is unlike anything out there for its emphasis on the ways in which the structure of an image or of images in sequence -- its shape, its apparent spatial dimensions, its movement, its complexity, its rhythm and texture, its color dimensions -- can all work together to support the emotional and thematic dimensions of the story it aims to tell. His explanations are simultaneously simple and insightful, and spending time with this book can really open your eyes to the wide range of ways in which moving images can be meaningful at a level that can be independent of the actual content of the image (who is in it, what is being shown). Essential reading for filmmakers who aspire to take advantage of the potentials of the medium, this book would also be enormously revealing and useful for students of film, for film lovers, and even for those who have a broad interest in the visual arts. His chapters on space and on color, and his discussions of their emotional as well as their formal content, are especially valuable and full of insight. I can't recommend this book highly enough.
underwhelming  by .. Alexei Peshkov (Los Angeles County)
Bruce Block opens his book by claiming that he is drawing upon the teachings of Eisenstein. He isn't. The vast majority of the book is given to analyzing the "hidden lines" within images. Unfortunately, there is a catch. The hidden visual structure within an image may have some kind of resonance - I'm not really sure, but it seems to me to be sister to the kind of "the work of Virginia Wolf analyzed in meta-postmodern-structuralism," analysis that obscures, rather than illuminating, the essential elements that make a given work of art/lit/film succeed.
Film is made of story, sound, image, and cut - I suppose that it isn't Block's fault that he chooses to focus on overanalyzing just one of those categories, but I do wish that the film school grad who recommended that I read this book had not.
Refund.
Better than I thought by .. Kyle Farris ()
I had to get this book for a class I'm taking (Visual Language of the Moving Image) at UCF. Like most books that we are required to purchase, I wasn't too happy about it... But, honestly, this one is different. It is very well written and illustrated. I actually love this book. Bruce Block knows his stuff, and, more importantly, he knows how teach it.
Related Search : new media , seeing structure , visual story  |
Author : Paul Lucey
Edition : 1
Number of Pages : 336
Publisher : McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages
Amazon Price : $32.00
Used Price : $10.95 |
Product Description This is the first true textbook for a course in screenwriting. Story Sense provides specific strategies for writing story, character, and script. A wealth of techniques are suggested so that screenwriters can select those that work best for them. The book has been conceived as a working manual for screenwriters and offers hands-on advice for solving the many problems that crop up as the work progresses. In addition, the book includes examples of script format, a glossary of film terms, the Writer's Guild's compensation terms, and such insider examples as a sample studio script evaluation form, a sample script analysis, a sample studio reader's questionnaire, and a sample re-write. Customer reviews Story Sense by .. Whamo (San Clemente, California)
If you are serious about becoming a screenwriter, this book will be a valuable addition to your professional library. Lucy goes into depth on subjects other authors ignore or treat lightly. Usually if you can learn one or two things from a screenwriting book, it's worth reading. This book clarifies subjects other authors fail to explain. Lucy not only explains all the loose ends, but ties them together. There are a lot of good books on screenwriting, and this is one of them. Cynthia Whitcomb has a couple of books on screenwriting that you might also want to read.
One of the Best by .. Micah Nathan (Boston, MA United States)
This should be required reading for any type of writer--novelist, screenwriter, playwright. The sections on plot and character development are worth double what this book costs.
Too many "how-to" books on writing perpetrate the image of a writer as a conduit for mysterious creative forces. While I'm not entirely discounting that image, there needs to be a balance between writing as an art and writing as a craft. This book falls firmly in the craft column. It demands you cast aside any artistic pretensions and get down to the plumbing of creating a story. And it doesn't stop with the obligatory pep talk--Lucey shows you how it's done. And he shows it better than any other writing how-to out there.
If I could give this ten stars I would. Highly recommended.
Most In Depth, Useful Screenwriting Book by .. Molly Gum (Phoenix, AZ USA)
This book should be a mandatory read for writers of all types and all levels. Story Sense offers the tools to develop an entertaining, clever plot with emotionally and psychologically dimensional characters. It takes you step by step through idea, plot, and character formulation, as well as explains how to develop structure, dramatization, and everything else you need to write the perfect screenplay or fictional story. You will find yourself highlighting passages and constantly refering back to this "bible" throughout your writing journey. Keep this book close by, it has all the answers you need as a writer.
The best screenwriting I've seen! by .. Arthur Olds (New Port Richey, Fl)
I have read many screenwriting books and this is the most complete. It takes you by the hand through each step of the process. I would recommend it to anyone interested in screenwriting. The book even states that if you follow the steps in the 12 chapters it should take you 120 hours and would be equivelent to a college course. No need for any other training. This book is it!
Absolutely great book by .. ()
When ordering several books on screenwriting this book caught my eye because of the high ratings afforded it by others. After reading it I fully concur with what others had to say. I went out and purchased DVDs of the four main example films (The Verdict, Terminator, Sleepless in Seattle, and Witness) that Mr. Lucey focuses on and they allowed me to pick up the fine points described in the text. His vast experience in script writing shows through in each of the topics discussed. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. For a detail-oriented individual such as myself, this book met all my expectations. If you are interested in this topic, this book is a "must have" by all means.
Related Search : guide film , screenwriter s , story sense  |
Author : Stephanie Harrison
Number of Pages : 640
Release Date : 2005-04-26
Publisher : Three Rivers Press
List Price : $16.95
Amazon Price : $9.26
Used Price : $7.12 |
Product Description An Eclectic Collection of Fiction That Inspired Film Memento, All About Eve, Rear Window, Rashomon, and 2001: A Space Odyssey are all well-known and much-loved movies, but what is perhaps a lesser-known fact is that all of them began their lives as short stories. Adaptations gathers together 35 pieces that have been the basis for films, many from giants of American literature (Hemingway, Fitzgerald) and many that have not been in print for decades (the stories that inspired Bringing Up Baby, Meet John Doe, and All About Eve). Categorized by genre, and featuring movies by master directors such as Steven Spielberg, Stanley Kubrick, Robert Altman, Frank Capra, and John Ford, as well as relative newcomers such as Chris Eyre and Christopher Nolan, Adaptations offers insight into the process of turning a short story into a screenplay, one that, when successful, doesn’t take drastic liberties with the text upon which it is based, but doesn’t mirror its source material too closely either. The stories and movies featured in Adaptations include: •Philip K. Dick’s “The Minority Report,” which became the 2002 blockbuster directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise •“The Harvey Pekar Name Story” by reclusive graphic artist Harvey Pekar, whose life was the inspiration for American Splendor, winner of the 2003 Sundance Grand Jury Prize •Hagar Wilde’s “Bringing Up Baby,” the basis of the classic film Bringing Up Baby, anthologized here for the first time ever •“The Swimmer” by John Cheever, an example of a highly regarded story that many feared might prove unadaptable •The predecessor to the beloved holiday classic A Christmas Story, “Red Ryder Nails the Hammond Kid” by Jean Shepherd Whether you’re a fiction reader or a film buff, Adaptations is your behind-the-scenes look at the sometimes difficult, sometimes brilliantly successful process from the printed page to the big screen. Customer reviews How the story becomes a film  by .. Lyric (New Jersey)
Interesting in that it allows film lovers to see what preceded the screenplay and the subsequent film.
Any film buff will enjoy this book.
Learn About the Connection Between Short Stories and Movies by .. W. Terry Whalin (Scottsdale, Arizona)
Have you ever waited with great anticipation for the arrival of a movie where you love the book? Then you watch the movie and are disappointed because it wasn't anything like the book. Movies and Books are connected through story. The story has to be good in each form for it to achieve the desired result.
Stephanie Harrison has written a fascinating look at the connection between 35 short stories and the great films which resulted. This book includes the short stories and insight into how the story was adapted into a movie. The key message which I received is that whether it is a short story or a movie, the foundation of storytelling has to be excellent to achieve the desired result.
If you love movies and short stories or just want to learn about the skill of adaptation, I highly recommend this book.
Adaptatons: From Short Story to Big Screen by .. A. Bronston ()
This is a wonderul collection of stories that have been adapted for film. The book provides revealing commentary from screenwriters and directors and fascinating tidbits of unknown filmography. It is a wonderful find for screenwriters and short story writers and film lovers. Stephanie Harrison writes insightful introductions to each genre. A real treasure.
Learn how short stories are turned into movies.. by .. S. Korpieski (Ohio)
I just came across this at my local bookstore. Wow! I had no idea that so many famous movies were adapted from short stories. A Face in the Crowd is one of my favorite films, but I never knew it was a short story first. Also, I'm a fan of Harvey Pekar's, so I was particularly happy to see that his graphic story, "The Harvey Pekar Name Story" was included (the film is American Splendor). The introductions to each section are interesting and contain a lot of information I was unacquainted with. Who knew that F. Scott Fitzgerald once tried his hand at adapting his classic story "Babylon Revisited" as a vehicle for Shirley Temple? Good reading for movie fans and people who enjoy short stories.
Related Search : adaptations from , short story , great films  |
Author : Wayne Kinsey
Number of Pages : 240
Publisher : Tomahawk Press
List Price : $54.99
Amazon Price : $34.64
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Product Description Last year, several boxes of never-seen-before photos of Hammer Films productions was archived by Hammer expert Wayne Kinsey for the British Film Institute. Kinsey and the BFI were so impressed by the collection, that it was agreed the best should be published.Through these rare and mostly previously unseen images, Hammer Films - A Life in Pictures tells the visual story of Hammer's output. You will be guided through this wonderful collection of photos by Kinsey himself,the celebrated author of Hammer Films - the Elstree Studios Years and Hammer Films - the Bray Studios Years. Hammer Films - A Life in Pictures explores the wider and fascinating side of one of the British film industry's greatest success stories, showing once and for all that Hammer was not just a purveyor of cheap horror pictures.In fact, they made films in a number of different genres such as war thrillers, gritty dramas, comedies and colourful swashbuckling adventures. Some of these were among their best films; 1959 is a case in point which included such classics as Never Take Sweets from a Stranger, Hell is a City and Yesterday's Enemy, the latter of which earned Hammer BAFTA nominations for best picture, best actor and best supporting actor. Hammer's films also benefited from an expert team of actors and technicians, including big names that on first glance would never have thought to be associated with Hammer including Robert Aldrich, Ken Adam, Joe Losey, Bette Davis, Tallulah Bankhead, Donald Sutherland, Joan Fontaine, Richard Widmark, Ursula Andress and Raquel Welch. Related Search : hammer films , hammer films , visual story  |
Author : Terri Katahn
Edition : 1st
Number of Pages : 177
Publisher : Blue Arrow Books
List Price : $14.95
Amazon Price : $4.74
Used Price : $2.25 |
Product Description What makes a movie great? Perhaps even more crucial, who decides what makes it great - before it gets made into a movie? The entertainment industry's top executive decision-makers are always looking for a great story. But they don't have time to read every screenplay or book themselves. Instead, they often rely on story analysts, or readers, who become the first to read and pass judgment on submissions. Story analysts' reports ("coverages") help form a basis for executive decisions. Now, for the first time, training for readers is easy to find, easy to do, low cost, and comprehensive. READING FOR A LIVING reveals all: how to get the job and how to do it well. READERS: Learn what makes a story great. Earn extra income while pursuing another career. Gain valuable insight into the industry. Train to be a story editor, Director of Development, or other high-level executive. DEVELOPMENT EXECS: Make sure your readers are educated. Review your own story analysis skills. WRITERS: Find out what readers and executives want. Review your fundamental writing skills. Customer reviews Here's a second income you'll love by .. K. Jones (atlanta, GA United States)
If you want to feel like you're a part of Hollywood and earn a second income buy this book.
Coverage for Reading for a Living: Desperately in need of an update! by .. A. Rezai ()
The foreward by the author claims that he thought about doing an updated version of the book, but he decided not to, because everything is pretty much valid.
Then he goes on with his kick off advice ...... get a typewriter, ribbons, dot matrix printers......yep....very 1980's.
Dude! Update your book! This sucker in its current format is 2 decades old. Come on! Take some pride in it!
PLEASE UPDATE THE BOOK, no one even knows what a word processor is anymore and no you can not back up your work on floppy disc  by .. computer_owner_2007 (Los Angeles, CA)
This book is rather elementary and really out dated. He has a chapter about buying a word processor. If you have absolutely no idea what written script coverage is then it will give you an idea but other then that, forget it.
Start reading for a living! by .. T. Zervaki (London United Kingdom)
A unique book to break into script and book reading for a living. A very useful tool for people who want to break into this business. A practical guide to the business of story analysis. With lots of ideas, resources and tips. Needs updating! By Thei Zervaki
author of Globalize, Localize, Translate
See your script from another P.O.V. by .. Mr. Mario T. Lanza (New Cumberland, PA)
Whether you imagine YOURSELF "reading for a living" or not, this book will help you see from the READER's perspective what makes a good script. Your script will likely not become a motion pictures without having first passed through the hands of a reader. With that said, how can you afford not to know what the reader expects of a well-crafted story? If you can't get the reader to at least give your script a "consider", then all your painstaking effort is a loss. This book offers some interesting advice.
Related Search : reading living , be professional , film television  |
Author : J.W. Rinzler
Number of Pages : 300
Release Date : 2008-05-20
Publisher : Del Rey
List Price : $35.00
Amazon Price : $19.99
Used Price : $21.45 |
Product Description From Raiders of the Lost Ark to The Kingdom of the Crystal SkullThe man with the hat is back–in the definitive behind-the-scenes look at the Indiana Jones epic action saga. When George Lucas and Steven Spielberg put their heads together to create a no-holds-barred action-adventure movie, bigger-than-life hero Indiana Jones was born. The rest is breathtaking, record-breaking box-office history. Now comes an all-new Indiana Jones feature film: Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Here’s your chance to go on location for an up-close, all-access tour of the year’s most eagerly anticipated blockbuster, as well as the classics. The Complete Making of Indiana Jones is a crash course in movie magic-making–showcasing the masters of the craft and served up by veteran entertainment chroniclers J. W. Rinzler and Laurent Bouzereau. Inside you’ll find: • exclusive on-set interviews with the entire cast and crew of Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, including Harrison Ford, Shia LaBeouf, Cate Blanchett, Ray Winstone, and John Hurt–plus director Steven Spielberg, executive producer George Lucas, screenwriter David Koepp, and the incredible production team that built some of the most fantastic sets ever. • hundreds of full-color images–from storyboards, concept paintings, and set design schematics to still photos from all four films with candid action shots of the productions in progress • an in-depth chronicle of the making of the first three Indiana Jones movies– Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade–including transcripts of the original concept meetings, cast and crew anecdotes, production photos, and information on scenes that were cut from the final films • never-before-seen artwork and archival gems from the Lucasfilm Archives • and much more! Don’t miss the thrilling new movie or this definitive making-of opus. It’s as essential to fans as that trusty bullwhip is to Indy! Customer reviews Great Book by .. Enric Pujol Rodriguez (BADALONA, BARCELONA Spain)
If you wish to know all the history behind this movie, this is your book.
Excellent book & higly recommemded.
This brings you right onto the movie set by .. Parka (Singapore)
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R12K7T8NDBIXE2 This is probably the best making-of-the-movie book I've read so far this year.
A lot of effort must have been put into research. Considering when the first Indiana Jones movie was shot, I'm very impressed by how they manage to document all this information.
The book is about the production process of the 4 Indy movies, up to the Crystal Skull. The narration explains in great detail all the events that happen behind the scenes. It's filled with lots of interviews. Read from how Spielberg came up with Indy's name to the last day of shooting Crystal Skull where Harrison Ford gave Shia LaBeouf a signed hat.
Reading the book is like working on the set itself. For that, it's worth the price alone.
There are hundreds of high resolution production photos. Several art illustrations were put in also, such as posters, storyboards and set designs. There are 300 pages in this 15-inch (screen measurement) book.
For fans of Indiana Jones, this will be an immensely satisfying book. For non-fans, this book will still impress. This book is that good.
There are more pictures on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for my blog's link.
Amazing Stories from the Lucas/Spielberg backlot by .. Rui Ferreira (Portugal)
This is just a mind blowing book! Just amazing. The illustrations and the story accounts are truly superb, and the snippets of story and trivia are the best ones around, even having some I didn't know, and I'm a huge fan!
The pictures are of high quality, and the way the book layout is done is very well organized and detailed.
A piece of art for the making of "geek" and the Lucas/Spielberg fan!
Reporting the Indiana Jones Saga! by .. Michael OConnor (Wausau, WI USA)
THE COMPLETE MAKING OF INDIANA JONES is a marvelous, in-depth, well-illustrated guide to the four movies featuring everyone's favorite action-adventure hero. The cover of the book modestly proclaims it to be "the definitive story behind all four films." I don't know I agree with that statement but J. W. Rinzler and Laurent Bouzerea's book certainly sets a standard for future volumes on moviemaking.
As other reviewers have noted, the book is brimming with photos, artwork, storyboards, etc. that give the reader an unparalleled look at the four films. Likewise the behind-the-camera material gives one an education in why and how movies are made. And all for only $35.00.
Having said that, I'd like to throw out the following for what they're worth. As the book progressed, I got a feeling that the narrative was rushed. The coverage given Indy II, III and IV seemed more and more perfunctory. Also, I wondered about the book being a Lucasfilm production. According to the book: (1) everyone loved everyone else on all four films; (2) Steven Spielberg is just about the greatest thing since sliced bread; (3) things like egos, temper tantrums, etc. never intruded in the Indiana Jones film-making; etc. Maybe I'm being cynical but things seemed sanitized(?). Finally, after finishing the book, I still haven't a clue what the authors FELT about the films. They briefly summarize box office and critical reactions but you never find out if, for example, they loved Indy I, were disappointed by Indy II's shallowness and shrillness, felt Sean Connery deserved an Oscar for his ABSOLUTELY CHARMING turn in Indy III, etc. But then, if Lucasfilm is paying the check...
In any case, Indiana Jones' fans will want to add this book to their collection. Whatever my reservations, it's a great piece of work on some of the most entertaining - and profitable - films made in the past three decades. Recommended.
Check out the 1981 "Making of Raiders" Book! by .. Damien Slattery (Dublin 9, Ireland)
An Indiana Jones treasure trove! If you enjoyed this new book then check out the original 1981 book THE MAKING OF RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK by Derek Taylor, which has much more detail than J.W. Rinzler was able to print. Taylor was part of the production team and followed the crew to Tunisia. A really great read and too-long out of print.
The Making of Raiders of the Lost Ark
Related Search : films , indiana jones , behind four  |
Author : Eric Patterson
Number of Pages : 370
Publisher : Lexington Books
List Price : $38.95
Amazon Price : $27.69
Used Price : $41.50 |
Product Description On Brokeback Mountain provides accessible, close, and comparative readings of the story and the film, discussing them in relation to the social history of sexual minority men in America. By analyzing the literary and artistic traditions of the homoerotic pastoral, the popular tradition of the Western, and the tradition of the tragic romantic love story, the book explores the American cultural construction of masculinity, friendship, and sexual relationships between men, and the sources and effects of homophobia. Customer reviews A rich, passionate examination of a timeless film... by .. RMS (Boston, USA)
Every once in a while a film comes along that changes your life forever. From box-office phenomenons (Titanic, Star Wars), to literature inspired wonders (The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter), to adult-themed hits (Fatal Attraction, The Silence of the Lambs, The Graduate), to "personal" marvels (The Color Purple, The Piano, Schindler's List) certain films have proven to transcend mere strips of celluloid and make a genuine impact on the world. Brokeback Mountain has proven to be one of those films. From the many awards it won to the numerous websites now dedicated to it ([...]), Brokeback Mountain has produced a passionate, enduring following.
With "On Brokeback Mountain," author Eric Patterson has achieved a remarkable feat in not only condensing the phenomenon of Brokeback into such a fine volume, but managing to do so less then three years after the film's release. All of the chapters present well-researched and interesting perspectives on different areas of study concerning both the film and it's effects on society. The book provides a nuanced look at such topics as the aesthetics of the film, it's tremendous cultural impact as well as homosexuality in literature and history. Patterson has contributed scholarly and thought-provoking work here; illuminating the point of intersection between a timeless work of cinematic art and gender studies. "On Brokeback Mountain" is a rich, passionate text that allows one to appreciate the story and film even further.
If you love you some "Brokeback"!!!! by .. Jeffery Mingo (Homewood, IL USA)
Did you hear that an openly gay actor paid well into the six figures to buy the stained piece of clothing that Jake G.'s character wore in "Brokeback"? There are some people who love them some "Brokeback" more than anything in the world. The author of this book just makes it clear that he thinks "Brokeback" is the most important thing that humankind ever created. The Great Wall of China and the Pyramids just don't cut it. The author loves him some "Brokeback." He clearly wants a copy of its DVD placed in his arms when he rests and enters the next journey.
This book is probably ten times longer than Annie Proulx's short story. I know plenty of folk who loved them some "Color Purple," but know of no book analyzing it that is ten times longer than Alice Walker's original book. Many readers skip pages that have Roman numerals, but those introductory chapters are very important here. Still, there's about 70 pages of info with Roman numerals! If you have that much to say in an introduction, don't you want to integrate it into the body of the book?! This is just another example of how the author shows that seeing "Brokeback" was the reason that Mother Nature placed him on this planet.
The author says he purposely avoided the academic style that may scare many readers. True: you won't have to be familiar with Michel Foucault or Judith Butler to understand his writings. However, the length of the book may scare off everyday readers. Remember when William Shatner told Trekkies to "get a life" on "Star Trek"? I am worried that Ang Lee and Jake G. might say that to this author.
I mean, I loved "Brokeback" as much as the next gay guy, but this work did seem indulgent. Even though I'm African American, I did think "Brokeback" deserved the Oscar much more than "Crash." (And I actually think "Crash" disrespected Blacks, rather than supporting them.) Anybody can say "Why can't people of different backgrounds get along better?". Few people are strong enough and progressive enough to support the love between Jack and Ennis. So do notice that no one has produced a book this long about "Crash." This book does show how "Brokeback" is one for the ages.
In short, I thank the author for this book, but his love for the subject may shock many a reader.
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Author : Marcus Hearn
Edition : Revised
Number of Pages : 192
Release Date : 2007-09-25
Publisher : Titan Books
List Price : $35.00
Amazon Price : $21.81
Used Price : $21.69 |
Product Description Fifty years ago, Hammer Films released The Curse of Frankenstein. The now-legendary British company went on to make such classics as Dracula (and its many sequels), making international stars out of Peter Cushing and Christopher Lee, changing the face of horror cinema, and inspiring a generation of Hollywood filmmakers, including George Lucas, Martin Scorsese and Tim Burton. Now, for the first time, Hammer have given their active backing to an authorised history of the company, and have provided unlimited access to their archives. The Hammer Story provides a film-by-film dissection, dripping with rare promotional material and previously unpublished photographs. Customer reviews The Haunted House That Hammer Built by .. Michael R Gates (Nampa, ID United States)
Alan Barnes and Marcus Hearn's THE HAMMER STORY is an exhaustive historical study of the horror films produced by Britain's Hammer Studios from the 1950s to the 1970s. For each film, the book offers a story synopsis, production history, and a discussion of critical and popular reaction. Also, the book includes a short history of the studio itself and information on those who helmed and shaped it over the years, and short biographies of some of the stars, screenwriters, and directors of various films are scattered throughout. All in all, THE HAMMER STORY is an outstanding scholarly look at the studio and its most well-known output, yet the writing style avoids the common stuffiness of scholarship and is accessible to both casual horror fans and serious students of horror cinema alike.
The only real weakness of the book is that it focuses primarily on the gothic horror films produced by Hammer but skims over some of studio's other notable output. Indeed, even the studio's horror-themed TV shows, HAMMER HOUSE OF HORROR and HAMMER HOUSE OF MYSTERY AND SUSPENSE, receive only cursory attention. Yet in spite of its minor shortcomings, THE HAMMER STORY is, to date, the best published study of the studio that was almost single-handedly responsible for reviving the horror genre in the latter half of the 20th century, and anyone interested in horror cinema will find it both informative and enjoyable reading.
Stylish Yet Incomplete Survey of Hammer by .. Erich A. Scholz III (Dallas, TX)
First off, Titan Books should be commended for producing a very attractive, informative volume with lots of great photos concerning the history of Hammer Studios. The key films are discussed in depth, usually with two pages devoted to behind-the-scenes info regarding all your favorites. My one quibble would be with what the book isn't -- this is not a comprehensive survey of Hammer's entire output. The b&w thrillers are glossed over as are the comedies, the swashbucklers and the forgotten noirs. All well and good if you're only interested in the gothic horror films -- and let's face it, that's what most people signed up for, right?
I'm not really complaining. This book delivers the goods on Hammer's horror output. I bought it and I'm satisfied. But I'm still waiting for that all-encompassing tome devoted to this great and unique British film studio's entire history -- horror and all.
The Great Hammer Horror by .. R. Marcil ()
I have been a Hammer fan for many years, and it is great to be able to read about some of my favorite films. There are some great pictures and wonderful descriptions of the old Hammer days. A must for Hammer fans!
Long, Live Hammer Films by .. Bradleyklawson (USA)
This book has everything you would want to know about Hammer Studios, great artwork, wonderful summaries and much more.
Greatness on every page by .. Bruce Joyner ()
I am a Hammer Film fan who actually watched all the horror and sci-fi movies they put out originally...This book is a must have for Hammer Fans..I have most of their catalog of older movies too..this book talks at length about then and has some great photos i had never seen.Buy It Now!
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Author : J.W. Rinzler
Number of Pages : 372
Release Date : 2007-04-24
Publisher : Del Rey
List Price : $85.00
Amazon Price : $45.16
Used Price : $41.16 |
Product Description After the 1973 success of American Graffiti, filmmaker George Lucas made the fateful decision to pursue a longtime dream project: a space fantasy movie unlike any ever produced. Lucas envisioned a swashbuckling SF saga inspired by the Flash Gordon serials classic American westerns, the epic cinema of Japanese auteur Akira Kurosawa, and mythological heroes. Its original title: The Star Wars. The rest is history, and how it was made is a story as entertaining and exciting as the movie that has enthralled millions for thirty years–a story that has never been told as it was meant to be. Until now. Using his unprecedented access to the Lucasfilm Archives and its trove of never-before-published “lost” interviews, photos, production notes, factoids, and anecdotes, Star Wars scholar J. W. Rinzler hurtles readers back in time for a one-of-a-kind behind-the-scenes look at the nearly decade-long quest of George Lucas and his key collaborators to make the “little” movie that became a phenomenon. For the first time, it’s all here: • the evolution of the now-classic story and characters–including “Annikin Starkiller” and “a huge green-skinned monster with no nose and large gills” named Han Solo • excerpts from George Lucas’s numerous, ever-morphing script drafts • the birth of Industrial Light & Magic, the special-effects company that revolutionized Hollywood filmmaking • the studio-hopping and budget battles that nearly scuttled the entire project • the director’s early casting saga, which might have led to a film spoken mostly in Japanese–including the intensive auditions that won the cast members their roles and made them legends • the grueling, nearly catastrophic location shoot in Tunisia and the subsequent breakneck dash at Elstree Studios in London • the who’s who of young film rebels who pitched in to help–including Francis Ford Coppola, Steven Spielberg, and Brian DePalma But perhaps most exciting, and rarest of all, are the interviews conducted before and during production and immediately after the release of Star Wars–in which George Lucas, Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Sir Alec Guinness, Anthony Daniels, composer John Williams, effects masters Dennis Muren, Richard Edlund, and John Dykstra, Phil Tippett, Rick Baker, legendary production designer John Barry, and a host of others share their fascinating tales from the trenches and candid opinions of the film that would ultimately change their lives. No matter how you view the spectrum of this thirty-year phenomenon, The Making of Star Wars stands as a crucial document–rich in fascination and revelation–of a genuine cinematic and cultural touchstone. Customer reviews Really In depth with details, photos and scripts by .. Parka (Singapore)
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3NV609HFHDLR3 While this book was published in 2007, it's actually about the making and the history of the first Star Wars movie released in 1977. Considering how much time has passed, it's amazing the amount of material that has been collected for this book.
There are twelve chapters documenting the journey from the scripting stage, casting, set building, location shooting, all the way up to the movie release.
This book is written before anyone knew it was going to be a major hit. What that means is, they are writing it on the spot at that point in time -- in 1977. There's nothing closer to understanding what's going on during production and on their minds while the shooting the movie.
Included in the books are hundreds of behind-the-scenes photos, scanned scripts, sketches of sets and ships, several film stills and immensely valuable and insightful interviews. It's essentially a very well documented production diary.
There are lots of details included. Read about how George Lucas was a compulsive writer who doesn't and cannot stop working. Find out how they overcome crisis like when one of their robots caught fire. Share their euphoria when they first received reactions from movie goers. And I can go on and on.
This is the definitive volume. It's well worth the money for any Star Wars fan or movie maker.
There are two covers for this book, a hardcover and the paperback. It's highly recommended to get the hardcover, more expensive, version. This book is big and thick at 314 pages. The spine of the softcover will most definitely wear off in the future.
There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.
The best and most comprehensive making of EVER by .. Eric J. Robertson (New York, NY)
I read many books about special effects and films. I'm a huge fan of the Star Wars franchises (at least until the most recent cartoon).
THIS ONE IS PERFECT!!! So many detailed descriptions of the evolution from idea to story to script to shooting. An incredible level of detail. So many pictures, storyboards, illustrations, and documents. This is the first time I've picked up such a huge and detailed volume and devoured it from start to finish.
Even if you already own a lot of material about Lucas and Star Wars, this is a worthy addition to the library.
It truly is definitive - but also is beautiful and well written. BUY IT!!!
Great, in depth, and informative "Making of" by .. Keith A. Weatherby II (Oregon, USA)
Great book for any Star Wars fan. Even if you're not, you'll find this an interesting look at all the trials and tribulations George Lucas went through to get his vision on the screen. Even when nobody else saw the potential in it.
Full of alot of great photos as well. Highly recommended to anyone that has even a remote interest in cinema history.
The book I've waited 30 years to own... by .. Gene Johannsen (Mountain View, Ca United States)
When I first saw Star Wars I was very young. At first I had a strong desire to know how all the cool things on the screen were accomplished. Over the years bits and pieces appeared in magazines and books, but nothing really felt complete. As I grew older I became interested in the ideas behind the movie, where they came from, how did they change over time, what was the history. Now, I've grown interested in the stories of the people who worked behind the scenes. What is their history, what did they bring to the production? Now here it is, all in one book, with a lot of behind the scenes photos and stories. It uses interviews from the time of the film's making, so it isn't colored by the amazing success of the movie. It's a quick read, too. The pages are full of photos (most I've never seen before), though the font size is a little small. It's a high quality book and should last a long time, which is good, because I think I'll be reading this one again and again.
Great book about the 1st star wars movie and more! by .. M. De Wit ()
This is a great book 4 every star wars fan about the origin of star wars and the first movie. Great pictures and great intervieuws with lots of people. With this price: buy buy buy!!!
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