This section affords the reader access to various elements significant to the study of film. These guides and handbooks are included with the intent of giving the reader an overview of
both film theory and genre studies as well providing them with extensive bibliographies helpful to continuing their research.
The Oxford Guide to Film Studies / edited by John Hill and Pamela Church Gibson.
Oxford ; New York : Oxford University Press, 1998.
Davis Reference -- CALL NUMBER: PN1995 .O93 1998
An exhaustive source. Intends to provide the reader with
a critical overview of the various ways in which film has been understood.
Seemingly tailormade for any film course. Deals with genre, gender issues, semiotics, surrealism,
culture and history. Includes an introduction to film studies. Very thorough profiles
of the contributors and editors with helpful bibliographies for each essay. Extrememly
useful index included.(the best source so far, could actually be
used as a text book...)
Film Genre Reader II / edited by Barry Keith Grant.
Austin : University of Texas Press, 1995.
Davis: PN1995 .F45792 1995
An essential handbook for genre studies,
this source claims to "provide both the general reader & student
of film with a comprehensive view of film genre." Includes 24+ essays
written by various editors, professors & writers in the field (giving notes on
contributors/academic & professional backgrounds). The essays are separated into two
sections; theory & selected genre criticism. Includes an extensive bibliography
and allows for over 15 genre specific sections.
Armour, Robert A. Film, a Reference Guide.
Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, c1980.
Davis -- CALL NUMBER: PN1993.45 .A75
Written by an English/Film Studies professor at
UVA, this is a self-acknowledged reference guide for "the person beginning the serious
study of film or for the viewer wanting to pursue in depth what has been a casual
interest." Aims to provide a deeper understanding of film history, filmmakers,
and the nature of film criticism. Also provides detailed bibliographies at the end
of each section. Although it is a little outdated, this source is meticulous and
will provide a good starting ground.
Corrigan, Timothy.A Short Guide to Writing About Film.
Glenview, Ill. : Scott, Foresman, c1989.
Davis -- CALL NUMBER: PN1995 .C66 1989
As suggested by the title, this is a guide
to writing about film. Very thorough, including how to "watch"and research a film with regards
to writing about it. Good sections on audience and criticism, and the actual approach
(genres, history, ideology) with sample essays and sections on structure and style.
Extremely useful and straightforward.
Contemporary Film Theory / edited and introduced by Antony Easthope.
London ; New York : Longman, 1993.
Davis -- CALL NUMBER: PN1995 .C634 1993
Good source for students already versed
in principles of theory/film theory. Introduction provides a helpful refresher
in semiotics and politics in relation to ideology, subjectivity and gender in film.
Provides a brief overview of Lacan's mirror image and Freud's theories of
fetishism. Excellent essays.
Rehrauer, George. The Macmillan Film Bibliography. New York : Macmillan, c1982.
Davis Reference: Z5784.M9 R423 1982
Volume 1
An excellent resource for books about film. Describes
itself as a multi-purpose source, "whose major goals are the identification, location, and
critical appreciation of books about film." Entries are arranged alphabetically by title and
are numbered consecutively. Gives good directions on how to use the book & explains the
annotations (which they say are included to indicate to the reader the content & quality of the
book listed). Somewhat opinionated, very detailed descriptions for selected entries.
Volume 2
To be used in conjunction with volume one, this source
contains Subject, Author and Script indices. Each index is arranged alphabetically with sporadic
cross-referencing and is very easy to use. The subject index contains a selected guide to films,
books (a few periodicals), filmmakers, stars & some general topics. The author index covers authors
whose works are presented in volume one (does not account for variation of spelling or pseudonyms).
The script index includes film director and entire production crew and author.
Ross, Harris.
Film as Literature, Literature as Film : an Introduction to and Bibliography
of Film's Relationship to Literature.
New York : Greenwood Press, 1987.
Davis Reference: Z5784.M9
Harris recognizes that an essential theme in
film study is the comparison of film to drama, prose, fiction and poetry and provides
a source listing 2500 articles and books published from 1908 to 1985 (although foreign
language books and articles are not included). Detailed author and subject indexes
make this bibliography easy to use. Very scholarly, the chapter titles alone would
inspire numerous paper topics.
Welch, Jeffrey Egan,
Literature and Film : an Annotated Bibliography, 1978-1988.
New York : Garland Pub., 1993.
Davis Reference: Z5784.M9 W375 1993
A significant source for exploring the relationship
between film & literature, Welch lists and annotates important books &
articles published in North America & Great Britain concerned with the
relationship between film and works of literature. Gives three categories:
process of adapting a work to the screen, general discussion of the similarities
and differences between film and literary genre/studies of other arts on film
and interviews with key film players as to the relationship of literature to film,
and references to the teaching of the subject of literature and film. Listed
chronologically by year and alphabetically by author's name within each year.
Austin, Bruce A. The Film Audience : an International Bibliography of Research
with annotations and an essay. Metuchen, N.J. : Scarecrow Press, 1983.
Davis Reference: Z5784.M9 A87 1983
Includes annotations and an essay as to the reason
for such a bibliography. Strictly alphabetical by author and title, incorporates both a
subject and a title index. A good source and starting block for writing on this aspect of
film study.
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