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Old 06-07-2008, 10:46 AM
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Default Essential Reading for Film Studies
Hi guys,
I start a Degree in Film Studies (Cinema and Practice) in September, and being impatient i'm after some suggestions for essential reading material that would be relevant.

Is there a 'bible' for anyone studying Film?

Hang on a minute, lads.
I've got a great idea.
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Old 06-07-2008, 11:26 PM
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There's a trillion useful books out there but you could do worse than try:
"A Short Guide To Writing About Film" by Timothy J Corrigan (Pearson/Longman) for help with essays.
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Old 07-07-2008, 08:05 AM
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Cheers sippog I'll check it out.
Hang on a minute, lads.
I've got a great idea.
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Old 07-07-2008, 09:12 AM
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You might want to check out THE CINEMA BOOK (ed by Pam Cook) (published by BFI, latest edition 2008) for an overall guide to theoretical approaches etc.....
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Old 07-07-2008, 09:35 AM
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I love you guys!
Hang on a minute, lads.
I've got a great idea.
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Old 14-07-2008, 03:18 PM
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A very good book for budding film Producers/Directors etc. is John Boorman's "Journey into Light" about the trials and tribulations in the making of his film "The Emerald Jungle" starring his now biker son, Charlie.

It tells the whole story from script treatment, through the financing, to the finished production (which nearly wasn't!) and is eminently readable. I don't know if it's still available, but read it if you can. The best of luck. (also posted on a similar topic)
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Old 14-07-2008, 04:34 PM
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I've taught on a few film & media courses over the years, and one book I can recommend is Film Art by David Bordwell & Kristin Thompson. A brand new one is quite expensive (around £35), but older editions can usually be picked up cheaply.

I'll second The Cinema Book - a very useful overview of key topics.

Also handy will be a good film studies reader - there are many around. Depending on the collection of essays inside, these can offer a wide range of useful material for a relatively cheap price.
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Old 15-07-2008, 12:05 PM
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Some useful study material on this website.........

davidbordwell.net : film art


From: davidbordwell.net : home
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Old 19-07-2008, 10:59 PM
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You must own Key Concepts by Susan Hayward. It covers everything - really handy for defining that essay term. Equally important in filling the inevitable gaps in the lecture notes.I'm in my 3rd year and my copy has been referenced in every essay.
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Old 20-07-2008, 12:06 AM
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Thanks guys,
the general consensus i've been getting from mates that are at uni is that Bordwell & Thompson and Hayward are must have bits of kit.
Your experience is much appreciated.
Where you studying Harold?
Hang on a minute, lads.
I've got a great idea.
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Old 23-09-2008, 09:44 AM
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In the Guardian today:

How to write plays and screenplays.

Obviously not an in-depth study , but with some interesting quotes from Ronan Bennett, Frank Cottrell Boyce, Lucinda Coxon et al…
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Old 24-09-2008, 09:01 AM
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What about the books written by William Goldman?
Welcome To Highbury The Home Of Football
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Old 24-09-2008, 10:32 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by orpheum View Post
What about the books written by William Goldman?
I loved "Adventures In The ScreenTrade" and still recommend it to students but I personally found "What Lie Did I Tell", the sequel, a bit of a let down.

Of course, if you're talking about his novels, "Marathon Man" is quite enjoyable. It has a twist (like Ira Levin's "A Kiss Before Dying") that you can only pull off in a book -it doesn't translate to screen. If you're one of the 2 percent who've never seen the movie, read the book first!

Likewise THE PRINCESS BRIDE is charming in a deliberately old fashioned way. You can enjoy that even if you've seen the film.
If I had a swimming pool, it would probably burn down . . .
Last edited by sippog; 24-09-2008 at 10:36 AM.
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