Book description
Seeing a film is only half the fun. The real joy comes from arguing
about it afterwards in the pub or on the journey home. But have you
ever felt you needed to know a little more? Film Studies offers a
concise introduction to the appreciation and study of film. This
second edition begins with an examination of early film theory before
analysing how films are put together - framing, performance, setting,
costume and editing. It then explores a number of approaches taken to
film over the last half century - the auteur theory, structuralism,
psychoanalysis, feminism, and queer theory with a new chapter on
Marxism. There are also overviews on stars, genres, national cinemas
and film movements from around the world.
With this book in your pocket you can gasp as directors break the
30° rule, marvel as Oedipus complexes are resolved, shudder as you
become aware of your own voyeurism and discover how to tell your
metteur en scène from your mise en scène. Going to the cinema may
never be the same again...
Andrew M Butler is Senior Lecturer Media and Cultural Studies at
Canterbury Christ Church University College and author of the Pocket
Essentials Terry Pratchett, Philip K Dick, Cyberpunk and, with Bob
Ford, Postmodernism. He was the winner of the 2004 Pioneer Award and
would collect shiny trousers in his spare time if he had any.
