Film and TV books
Film and TV books to start from. Open one to see books like it, or tell BookSense what you loved for four picks made for you.
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New to the genre? These 5 are the books to read first.
Understanding Movies
Louis D. GiannettiA widely used introduction that explains the basic terms of shot, editing, sound and narrative for beginning students.
Film Art
Kristin ThompsonA standard textbook on how film form works, from camera, editing and sound to narrative and style. The list credits Bordwell alone; the book is co-authored.
A Short History of the Movies
Gerald MastA compact survey of film history from early cinema onward, often used as a first history text.
Against Interpretation and Other Essays
Susan SontagA collection of essays on art and taste, including film, that shaped how critics talk about style and sensibility.
In the Blink of an Eye
Walter MurchA film editor's account of the craft of editing and how cuts relate to emotion and rhythm.
Chosen and described with AI from our notes on the genre.
Reading lists
More film and tv books
- Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks
Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and BucksDonald Bogle - My Autobiography
My AutobiographyCharlie Chaplin - A History of Narrative Film
A History of Narrative FilmDavid A. Cook - Film History
Film HistoryDavid Bordwell - American cinema/American Culture
American cinema/American CultureJohn Belton - On Directing Film
On Directing FilmDavid Mamet - Looking at Movies
Looking at MoviesRichard Meran Barsam - Harry Potter
Harry PotterWarner Bros. Entertainment Inc2007 - The wimpy kid movie diary
The wimpy kid movie diaryJeff Kinney2017 - Alfred Hitchcock - A Definitive Study
Alfred Hitchcock - A Definitive StudyFrançois Truffaut1966 - The future of architecture
The future of architectureFrank Lloyd Wright1953 - Film History
Film HistoryKristin Thompson2002
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