Lexington Books
Pages: 288
•
Trim: 6¼ x 9¼
978-0-7391-7621-4 • Hardback • November 2012 • $143.00 • (£110.00)
978-0-7391-9766-0 • Paperback • May 2014 • $68.99 • (£53.00)
978-0-7391-7622-1 • eBook • November 2012 • $65.50 • (£50.00)
Rama Venkatasawmy is lecturer in communication at the Singapore campus of the University of Newcastle, Australia.
Introduction
Chapter One. An Overview of VFX-Intensive Filmmaking in 20th Century Hollywood Cinema
Chapter Two. Defining the Object of Inquiry
Chapter Three. “Effects” in Hollywood Cinema
Chapter Four. Science, Technology and Hollywood Cinema
Chapter Five. The Hollywood Cinema Industry’s Coming of Digital Age
Afterword
Appendixes
Works Cited
Films Cited
Venkatasawmy (Univ. of Newcastle, Australia, Singapore campus) provides a clear, insightful investigation of the many issues surrounding the adaptation of cinema to the digital age. The book guides the reader through visual-effects-intensive Hollywood cinema in the 20th century and its journey through the digital revolution, examining the effect of the technology on story, setting, and aesthetics. In chapter 4, broader scientific and technological issues within the film industry are examined in ways that will appeal to scholars in fields such as sociology, technology, and media studies. Unlike many treatments of the subject, this inquiry is deep yet broad enough to be useful to the novice. The prose is accessible and rich. There are many studies on this subject, but this title stands out for its clear organization, definition of terms, and straightforward treatment of the subject. Many of the chapters and the glossary of terms would fit in well with a beginning film or media studies course reading list, and advanced scholars will benefit from the extensive yet focused works cited. Summing Up: Highly recommended.
— Choice Reviews