Introduction The purpose of this book is to educate filmgoers and those interested in the medium about the art, craft, and language of motion pictures. Film contin- ues to be a venue for entertainment, knowledge, and understanding of aes- thetics, narrative, and human endeavor. A person is considered well read when they are familiar with a wide range of literature and the elements that make a book a book. They are familiar with story, character, narrative, tone, atmosphere the mechanics of sentence structure, grammar, and the use of a period or full stop, comma, colon, semi- colon and a variety of literary devices and techniques. They are familiar with a range of genres and styles, and authors and books from many places in the world. To become more film literate is a similar undertaking, but for a film, movie, or motion picture, whichever term is employed, other notions and aspects must be taken into account. The majority of people have seen motion pictures either for the story, the art and craft, or to be entertained. Now that motion pictures can be seen in a movie theater, on television or a home the- ater, computer, phone, or other digital devices, there is more opportunity to engage in the experience. The current movie watcher is more familiar with cinema terms and elements than 50 years ago, but a surface impression is not knowledge. Being literate is understanding and empowerment at a meaning- ful level. What films teach us is the mission of this book. Understanding the specifics in motion pictures—story, character analysis, narrative, genre such as film noir or Western, crafts such as cinematography or editing—will facilitate literacy enormously. How all the elements interact to create a total cinematic experience is key. The Art and Craft of Motion Pictures: 25 Movies to Make You Film Literate examines 25 significant films, each of which has a specific value to study. As a longtime teacher of the art and craft of motion pictures, I have observed that most people know more about motion pictures than they realize. The
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