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Inside the Cover Book Review Review by Marie D. Jones
Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know By Jennifer Van Sijll Michael Wiese Productions 2005 258 pp. Filmmaking Highly recommended
The language of cinema gets full exposure in this comprehensive reference guide that takes a look at 100 years of film history and technique, focusing on elements such as lighting, editing, sound, and direction as key tools for powerful storytelling. Most of us think of visual effects and dialogue as the most obvious tools of communication when it comes to film, but a deeper examination of what makes a good film great reveals true artistry that goes beyond what is being said and done on the screen. Author Jennifer Van Sijll, a screenwriting teacher at San Francisco State who holds an MFA from USC's Department of Cinema-Television, has undertaken a huge task here, compiling dozens upon dozens of examples of how the use of sound, camera motion, angles, and picture quality all serve to enhance the magic of cinema. Chapters cover the gamut from screenwriting and directing techniques to the use of space and dimension, frame composition, editing, using the expansion and contraction of time, sound effects, scene transitions (both audio and visual), lighting, use of color, props, camera motion, differing camera lenses, camera positioning, wardrobe, locations, and so much more. In fact, if it isn't included in this virtual encyclopedia of film technique and artistry, it must not exist. Each chapter includes plenty of film grabs from the most memorable films in history, from "The Graduate" to "Pulp Fiction" to "Citizen Kane," as well as photographs that complement the description and give the reader a more visual sense of the technique's effect. There are also descriptions of the dramatic value achieved with each technique, as well as actual pages from the screenplays that drive the point home. Van Sijll also suggests other reading and additional films to view that complement the elements being discussed, so filmmakers can continue to explore the concepts and techniques outside of the context of this book. Making films is all about telling a story and that is not done just with words on a page, or even pictures on a screen. There are so many elements involved in the creation of a film, and understanding how to use those elements can truly make the difference between a movie and a masterpiece. For anyone interested in a career in film, Cinematic Storytelling is a priceless guide to creating memories on screen that will last a lifetime and beyond.
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