Customer Reviews

Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics

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This is probably the most important textbook a film production student can have on his/her shelf. NOT for how to work with actors or how to light a scene, but for understanding the underlying reasons of why things work due to our learned aesthetics and Western sensibilities.

Professor Herbert Zettl has written the most concise manual on why we has film viewers percieve things the way we do. He explains in detail (and layman's terms) how our aesthetics have been formed to interpret the dynamic medium of film and television.

How editing of action from shot to shot creates the illusion of continuous motion. How stagelines work so not to give the effect that your actor is jumping around from one side of the scene to the other. How to crop your shot BETWEEN the bodies natural cut-off points (i.e. neck, elbow, waist) to prevent the actor from looking like a disembodied head or torso.

This book is cover-to-cover insights into what we as viewers take for granted when we watch a good filmmaker's work, but may not consider when faced with the daunting task of mounting a film production and the on-set "reality" problems that dominate the filmmaker's mind when shooting a film.

I first read this book when I was in film school twenty years ago. Since then I have directed many professional film productions and I still review it before starting a new one to refresh myself.

Just as Syd Field's book "Screenplay" is the bible for screenwriting, "Sight Sound Motion" is the bible on understanding what works in film/video and why.

"Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics explains the WHY of film and video production. If you're looking for HOW then turn to another book."

I would disagree with the above review. Only by learning WHY first, can we learn HOW later. This book is more than a cookie cutter approach to film and video. If you want to "click and drag" your way through an editing program, then true, this book is not for you. Add this to your collection if you want a book that teaches how to see and create film. Sight, Sound, Motion: Applied Media Aesthetics has staying power.

Can't say much here since this was a text book purchased for the class. Nevertheless, it is not a book that I would recommend or have bought on my own. Most of Zettl's examples are difficult to understand and the explanations limited and not clearly written.

I admit that a three dimensional perspective can be hard to imagine from a two dimensional plane, but I've seen much better graphics. For example, the placement of a box with a figure and his perspective placed appropriately would have cut through a lot of confusion especially when referring to linear perspective.

In addition, the chapter on camera lenses (wide angle etc.)was also not particularly enlightening. If I didn't already know what meant, I would have never understood from the book's example. What's worse, it's not pleasant or entertaining to read.

Bottom line, if you're a beginner studying media, forget this book. If you're intermediate or advanced, just be prepared to use other references to fill in the blanks and expand on limited definitions, concepts and terms. The only good news is the material of the hardcover book is quality; the page color and printing are great. I'd give it a 2 out of 5

I was an Army broadcaster for nearly thirty years, commanding major audio-visual activities and the largest radio-television network in the Defense Department, located in central Europe. In these assignments, all of Dr. Zettl's texts were used as our training gold standard. When I managed the Army "audiovisual school", the Soldiers Manual and other texts for television production were written with his principles, theories, and practices in mind. As an educator pioneering a film and TV school in a large college, all my TV courses in production were Zettl-based. I found that many leading industry executives (who's who among top networks) began their early education - as I did - in colleges that used the Zettl TV Production Handbook. In TV hands-on assignments, I continue to use his lighting templates and theories. I admonished my students to never cash-in his texts at the end of the course, but to keep them as references.

I have the essential text series: Video Basics, TV Production Handbook, and most especially, Sight, Sound & Motion. The best DVD on the subject ever produced is his own Zettl TV Lab 3.0.

I can't imagine any professional without the "Bibles" of visual information and TV production. All are well worth the price if you are career-minded, or a current industry member but learned your trade "on-the-job". The texts will not only provide context, but with details and information to help you throughout your career.

I love that you offer these books so inexpensively. If I went to my universtiy bookstore I would have paid three times as much. I can use my own money without having to use loan money to pay for books!

Zettl's classic is a classic because it is just that good. I've not kept up with current texts but have worked in the business for over 30 years and this book is one of the few things that have remained constant. Get it and keep it if you go into the media production business or if you just want a good foundation for media aesthetics.

Comprehensive guide to Media aesthetics.
References and examples could be updated, but overall covers every aspect of media aesthetics and production.

This text thoroughly explains the intricacies of applied media asthetics in a concise and completely accessible way. It is a well organizied text that ehances its presentation through the use of many illustrations. I believe that this is the best text on the subject and that it has been since its first edtion.

I am so appriciate amazon for offering good price and good quality book to student.

The book is totally new and under very good condition, and the dilievery time is much earlier than i expected.