Introduction to Film Studies

By Jill Nelmes and Jill Nelmes (Editor)

Book Overview

Introduction to Film Studies is a comprehensive textbook for students of cinema.

This completely revised and updated fifth edition guides students through the key issues and concepts in film studies, traces the historical development of film and introduces some of the worlds key national cinemas. A range of theories and theorists are presented from Formalism to Feminism, from Eisenstein to Deleuze. Each chapter is written by a subject specialist, including two new authors for the fifth edition. A wide range of films are analysed and discussed. It is lavishly illustrated with 150 film stills and production shots, in full colour throughout. Reviewed widely by teachers in the field and with a foreword by Bill Nichols, it will be essential reading for any introductory student of film and media studies or the visual arts worldwide.

Key features of the fifth edition are:

updated coverage of a wide range of concepts, theories and issues in film studies in-depth discussion of the contemporary film industry and technological changes new chapters on Film and Technology and Latin American Cinema new case studies on films such as District 9, Grizzly Man, Amores Perros, Avatar, Made in Dagenham and many others marginal key terms, notes, cross-referencing suggestions for further reading, further viewing and a comprehensive glossary and bibliography a new, improved companion website including popular case studies and chapters from previous editions (including chapters on German Cinema and The French New Wave), links to supporting sites, clips, questions and useful resources.

Individual chapters include: The Industrial Contexts of Film Production - Film and Technology - Getting to the Bigger - Picture Film Form and Narrative - Spectator, Audience and Response - Cinematic authorship and the film auteur - Stardom and Hollywood Cinema - Genre, Theory and Hollywood Cinema The Documentary Form - The Language of Animation - Gender and Film - Lesbian and Gay Cinema - Spectacle, Stereotypes and Films of the African Diaspora - British Cinema - Indian Cinema - Latin American Cinema - Soviet Montage Cinema of the 1920s

Contributors: Linda Craig, Lalitha Gopalan, Terri Francis, Chris Jones, Mark Joyce, Searle Kochberg, Lawrence Napper, Jill Nelmes, Patrick Phillips, Suzanne Speidel, Paul Ward, Paul Watson, Paul Wells and William Wittington

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0415582598
• ISBN13: 9780415582599
• Release Date: November 2011
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 564 Pages
• Weight: 2.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 7.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Good on facts...low on theory

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 !

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.

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.

Simply the best

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!