A Film Theorist's Companion

A Film Theorist’s Companion is both an accessible reader for today’s film students and a focused examination of what critical film theorists consider important. The carefully curated readings featured in this anthology explore the methods, tropes, and codes by which auteurs tell stories.

The selections in the second edition are organized into three sections: How to Look; Taking It Apart; and Putting It All Together. Newly themed sections call for refreshed readings, and nearly all of the selections have been updated to address new topics, including the integration of film theory with film production, film as form, mise-en-scene, digital cinematography, editing for subtext, documentary film, and more. Students learn about genre trends that dictate narrative form. They ponder what goes into creating individual shots in a film including composition, staging, and lighting. They study the history of film sound and the motivation behind key film trends.

Designed for students who want to engage in thoughtful film analysis and are looking for an appropriate entry point, A Film Theorist’s Companion is an ideal supplemental reader for a wide range of film courses including those on directing, classical Hollywood film, and world cinema.