Media : Film-making

This text uses a clear and imaginative style to show how films are examples of philosophy in action. It explores the nature of the sequel, narrative renewal and directorial authorship in film. more...

Price: $17.95

Who was Welles? A fat guy with a deep voice who drank a lot of sherry? An unreliable film-maker who always went over time and over budget? One of the most innovative storytellers of the century? He was all of this ana more. Welles shocked Broadway with his all-black voodoo version of Macbeth, challenged the US government with his production of The Cradle Will Rock, terrified America with his spoof radio broadcast of The War Of The Worlds, and then at the tender age of 26, directed what many consider the greatest American film ever made: Citizen Kane. The popular myth is that it was all downhill from there, that Welles became a fallen genius yet, despite overwhelming odds, he went on to make great film noirs like The Lady From Shanghai and Touch Of Evil. He translated Shakespeare's work into films with heart and soul - Othello, Chimes At Midnight and Macbeth. And he refused to take the bite out of modern literature, giving voice to bitterness, regret and desperation in The Magnificent Ambersons and The Trial. Far from being down and out, Welles became one of the first cutting-edge independent film-makers. What's in this book? As well as the introductory essay Labyrinth Without A Centre, each of Welles' films is analysed and there is a handy multi-media reference guide. Martin Fitzgerald has written Pocket Essentials on Stanley Kubrick, Alfred Hitchcock and Woody Allen. more...

Price: $4.49

More than any other film director, Roman Polanski has obsessively explored sexual mores in the mainstream of movies. But a Polanski movie isn't for the small-time art house crowd - they are big screen events, whether it is the atmosphere of terror in Rosemary's Baby or the reconstruction of forties film noir of Chinatown. Polanski was nominated for an Oscar for his first feature, Knife In The Water, bringing him instant fame, and his examinations of sexual humiliation (Repulsion, Cul-de-Sac) would bring his name to an even wider audience. His movies have ranged from adaptations of Shakespeare (Macbeth) to stylish thrillers (The Tenant, Frantic, Death And The Maiden), from horror (Rosemary's Baby, The Ninth Gate) to comedy (The Fearless Vampire Killers) to romance (Tess). Off-screen, Polanski has hit the headlines - his wife Sharon Tate was murdered by Charles Manson and he was later accused of drugging and raping an underage girl which has made him a fugitive from the United States. The Pocket Essential Roman Polanski explores the life of this world famous BAFTA and Golden Globe-winning director, reviews and analyses each of his movies, and includes a handy multi-media reference section. more...

Price: $5.99

The new edition of this comprehensive yet succinct guide to planning, shooting, and editing most field and in-studio video productions has been updated to include the latest developments in HD, Digital Video, and equipment. Written as part of the Focal Press Media Manual series, each page of this helpful guide covers a specific topic in video production and is accompanied by a detailed illustration. This helpful guide details how to visualize, shoot, and edit coherent sequences of scenes and includes updated information on nonlinear editing. It also includes information on how to light and compose scenes for maximum impact. Features New to This Edition: *Explores the latest developments in HD *Covers new digital video technologies *Includes the new equipment available more...

Price: $30.95

Who is Soderbergh? Currently Hollywood's hottest hot shot, Soderbergh burst onto the independent scene with his provocative, multi-award winning feature debut sex, lies and videotape in 1989. With the film world seemingly at his feet the guy from Baton Rouge committed critical and commercial hara-kiri, producing a black and white film about the life of writer Franz Kafka that fell foul of studios and audiences alike. The critics liked it though and they were to stay with him through a lean period, which produced increasingly personal, cine-literate projects which very few people saw. Out of favour in Tinseltown, Soderbergh continued to plough his own furrow, producing numerous notable Indie pics along the way. Though disillusioned with his craft, it was arguably during this period that he produced some of his best work. Thankfully the head honchos at Universal had kept Soderbergh's number on speed dial and when a director was needed to give a little sparkle to Out Of Sight, Soderbergh got the call. Back in the big time - but very much on his own terms - the rest as they say is history for the self-proclaimed luckiest bastard you ever saw. As well as an introductory essay, this Pocket Essential reviews and analyses each of Soderbergh's films. There's a handy reference section listing all the Soderbergh related publications- and there ain't many- and a full filmography including Soderbergh's tireless work as a producer and cameraman. more...

Price: $5.99