Production Design in the Contemporary American Film: A Critical Study of 23 Movies and Their Designers [Hardcover]

Beverly Heisner (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786402679 | ISBN-13: 978-0786402670 | Publication Date: January 1997

While the viewer's eyes are trained on the actors, the production design sets the mood for the film. The design also subtly comments on the action and the characters, moves the plot forward and adds to its symbolic content. The production design of 23 films of the 1980s and 1990s is analyzed here. The films are divided into five areas: realistic films set in the present day, stylized films (including horror) set in the present day, period films, period films that move through several decades, and science fiction and fantasy films. Among the movies analyzed are The Silence of the Lambs, She's Gotta Have It, The Fisher King, Ragtime, Barton Fink, Goodfellas, and Alien. The quality of the designs is assessed by a careful reading of the mise-en-scne. Often the designers' own words are used to describe the effects and the process involved in achieving them.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"in-depth...detailed descriptions...insightful" -- Choice --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Beverly Heisner lives in Columbia, South Carolina. She is also the author of Hollywood Art published in 1990 by McFarland. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 171 pages
• Publisher: Mcfarland & Co Inc Pub (January 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786402679
• ISBN-13: 978-0786402670
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,824,200 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars More a collection of plot summaries than production design analysis, September 29, 2011

By 

J. Amedio "cinerotic" (Chicago, Illinois) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Production Design in the Contemporary American Film: A Critical Study of 23 Movies and Their Designers (Paperback)

This books leaves a lot to be desired. I would NOT recommend anyone buy it for any kind of indepth discussion or analysis of production design. The author merely gives a loose sysnopsis and drops in an occasional reference to production design, a scene's location, etc. I don't think the author knows the subject well and lacks the ability to thoroughly think, analyze and write about it.

2.0 out of 5 stars Sadly disappointing, December 16, 2011

By 

Kris C. Jones "Video Editor" (East Ridge, TN (Chattanooga), TN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Production Design in the Contemporary American Film: A Critical Study of 23 Movies and Their Designers (Paperback)

I have to agree with J. Amedio (above). I checked this book out from the library and was surprised at how brief each of the chapters was. The book appeared very promising by its description, especially in terms of its contemporary relevance, but left me wanting more. Useful as an overview text only. The author has a follow-up book due out in the Fall of 2011, so perhaps it will help rectify the situation.