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The Visual Story, Second Edition: Creating the Visual Structure of Film, TV and Digital Media 2nd Edition

by Bruce Block (Author)

4.7 384 ratings

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The Visual Story: Creating the Visual Structure of Film, TV, and Digital Media
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If you can't make it to one of Bruce Block's legendary visual storytelling seminars, then you need his book! Now in full color for the first time, this best-seller offers a clear view of the relationship between the story/script structure and the visual structure of a film, video, animated piece, or video game. You'll learn how to structure your visuals as carefully as a writer structures a story or a composer structures music. Understanding visual structure allows you to communicate moods and emotions, and most importantly, reveals the critical relationship between story structure and visual structure.

The Visual Story offers a clear view of the relationship between the story/script structure and the visual structure of a film, video, or multimedia work. An understanding of the visual components will serve as the guide to strengthening the overall story.

The Visual Story divides what is seen on screen into tangible sections: contrast and affinity, space, line and shape, tone, color, movement, and rhythm. The vocabulary as well as the insight is provided to purposefully control the given components to create the ultimate visual story. For example: know that a saturated yellow will always attract a viewer's eye first; decide to avoid abrupt editing by mastering continuum of movement; and benefit from the suggested list of films to study rhythmic control. The Visual Story shatters the wall between theory and practice, bringing these two aspects of the craft together in an essential connection for all those creating visual stories.

Bruce Block has the production credentials to write this definitive guide. His expertise is in demand, and he gives seminars at the American Film Institute, PIXAR Studios, Walt Disney Feature and Television Animation, Dreamworks Animation, Nickelodeon Animation Studios, Industrial Light & Magic and a variety of film schools in Europe.

The concepts in this book will benefit writers, directors, photographers, production designers, art directors, and editors who are always confronted by the same visual problems that have faced every picture maker in the past, present, and future.

* Now in full color!
* Written by a renowned producer, visual consultant, and teacher
* The material in this books applies to any kind of visual story, including films, animated pieces, video games, and television.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Bruce Block has a unique knowledge and understanding of the visual structure of film. The Visual Story is the only book of its kind. it will teach you to become a better storyteller through the use of visuals." - Nancy Meyers, Director of "Something's Gotta Give" and "The Holiday"

"Bruce Block masterfully deconstructs visual storytelling. Exposure to this material is essential for all students of cinema. This book will make you a better filmmaker." --American Film Institute

"Bruce Block's work gives the visual storyteller a framework for making story-driven decisions, not just visual choices. It gives the filmmaker tools to create harmony and counterpoint between the story structure and its visual realization on the screen." --Randy Nelson, Dean of Pixar University, Pixar Animation Studios

"No matter what kind of visual storyteller you are, whether a filmmaker, photographer, or graphic designer, Bruce Block explains how visual narrative works in a way that is clear and accessible." --David Pagani, Creative Director-On Air, DIRECTV

"Bruce Block is legendary in the field of broadcast design. His profound insight into the art of visual storytelling will forever change the way you work." --Dan Pappalardo, Executive Creative Director/Partner, Troika Design Group

"I spend much of my time in pre-production quoting Bruce Block to my cinematographers, production designers, costume designers, and editors. In all my years in the business I've never found a clearer more useful articulation of film grammar." --Jay Roach, director of Austin Powers, Meet the Parents, and Meet the Fockers

"You hold in your hand a key to understanding the complex and ever changing world of modern cinema."
--Charles Shyver, director of Alfie, Father of the Bride I & II, and Baby Boom

"Bruce Block's in-depth understanding of Visual Structure is inspirational to those working in animation. This reference source is invaluable and essential for any artist." --Walt Disney Television Animation

"I think every cinematographer-in-training should read this book. It will teach them how important collaboration with others in the crew is by having an overall concept of all that goes into the creation of the Visual Story." - Rexford Metz, ASC

"His book is a sort of Elements of Style for filmmakers, and any screenwriter, director or cinematographer with a point of view will find a great deal of creative inspiration in The Visual Story's guide to the fundamentals of the craft....The Visual Story makes the very convincing argument that all of these media require precise, motivated visual designs in order to be effective - and that having a point to make or a story to tell is only half the battle." - American Cinematographer

"In a great story - and in a great speech - there is ebb and flow, there is silence and there may be thunder... In a wonderful book about the power of the visual in storytelling by Bruce Block (The Visual Story: Creating the Visual Structure of Film, TV, and Digital Media), the author uses these three basics of story - Exposition, Climax, Resolution - to show the link between visual structure and story structure." -Garr Reynolds, Presentation Zen (http://www.presentationzen.com/)

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Routledge; 2nd edition (October 24, 2007)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 297 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0240807790
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0240807799
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.8 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 10.2 x 7.2 x 0.7 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #304,397 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #26 in Film & Television
- #273 in Video Direction & Production (Books)
- #372 in Movie Direction & Production

Customer Reviews:
4.7 384 ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book helpful for understanding content in class. They appreciate the practical, in-depth guide to visual storytelling with well-illustrated content and a breakdown of visual components. The book helps them think about the visuals of their film, with nice color illustrations and pictures.

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Information quality Visual content Color

49 customers mention "Information quality"49 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's information quality. They find it helpful for explaining content in class, providing a practical, in-depth guide to designing the visual side of your production. The examples help them remember the information, and the author understands these subjects enough to know there is no "correct" way. The book details everything taught at Disney and does a great job explaining all the basics of film making and composition.

"...Accessible and rich with examples, it equips readers with tools to effectively convey narrative through visuals...." Read more

"...taking his course on "Visual Expression." Though he explains concepts thoroughly (and entertainingly) in lectures, I found myself referring..." Read more

"...The best part is, the author understands these subjects enough that he knows there is no "correct" or "incorrect" way to use any of these elements -..." Read more

"...Nice color illustrations and pictures. The concepts are well explained and demonstrated." Read more

40 customers mention "Visual content"40 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-illustrated and practical. They appreciate its explanations of visual components like composition, space, color, and cinematography. The book is described as comprehensive and a required reading for certain art classes.

"...Accessible and rich with examples, it equips readers with tools to effectively convey narrative through visuals...." Read more

"...to this book when hammering the concepts into my brain, for clear visual examples, all laid out and explained wonderfully...." Read more

"...And it picks up where most other books leave off. It gets deep into ideas about composition, creating deep and flat space, use of color, use of color..." Read more

"...Nice color illustrations and pictures. The concepts are well explained and demonstrated." Read more

5 customers mention "Color"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's color illustrations and pictures. They find the new edition more visually appealing than the first edition, making it easier to read.

"...deep into ideas about composition, creating deep and flat space, use of color, use of color, and movement...." Read more

"...Nice color illustrations and pictures. The concepts are well explained and demonstrated." Read more

"...This film uses saturation With some very nice color (huge cudos on the colors) pictures from the movies he's referencing...." Read more

"Ironically, this newer edition is more visually appealing than the first edition and therefore a little easier to absorb the information...." Read more

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DC
Perfect for class!
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2024
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The Visual Story, Second Edition offers practical insights into creating compelling visual narratives.

Accessible and rich with examples, it equips readers with tools to effectively convey narrative through visuals.

Highly recommended for anyone passionate about mastering visual storytelling!

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Taylor
You're here. You want this book.
Reviewed in the United States on May 8, 2016
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I found this book invaluable when taking his course on "Visual Expression." Though he explains concepts thoroughly (and entertainingly) in lectures, I found myself referring to this book when hammering the concepts into my brain, for clear visual examples, all laid out and explained wonderfully. I believe the lessons can benefit anyone, but if you're worried about complicating your natural knack for visual composition, the concepts could potentially confuse your instincts if followed to a tee. It's a must-have if you're serious about the visual components of film (if you aren't, what are you doing here anyway?). I wish it contained examples included in video form, or something that expressly follows the 'most intense story point = most intense visual of film' teaching. The book is worth your time, even if you're taking his class (in my case, ESPECIALLY if you're taking the class).

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Denez McAdoo
Best book for cinimatographers I've read
Reviewed in the United States on December 23, 2011
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There are lots of books on cinematography out there that repeat the same stale, beginner information - the rule of thirds, types of shots, three point lighting, etc. Well once you learn that, now what?

Well this book is all about one thing - the visual construction. And it picks up where most other books leave off. It gets deep into ideas about composition, creating deep and flat space, use of color, use of color, and movement. The best part is, the author understands these subjects enough that he knows there is no "correct" or "incorrect" way to use any of these elements - they all produce a possible effect.

For example, he explains how to create deep space. However, this is not presented in a way that suggests that "deep space" equals "cinematic" and is preferable, rather that it can suggest a depth and complexity that contrasts to your use of "flat space." So you should use both, he says, according to your story. This is the first time I've ever truly understood this concept.

Bottom line, if you've read any other book on cinematography, then your all set on the basics. If you looking for a book that goes to the next level, then this is the book. Seriously, reading it changed the way I watch and understand films, it's had that much of an impact (and I went to film school).

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Farris Family
Good Fundamentals
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2013
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A little bit out of date now but the fundamentals are still sound and this book delivers. Nice color illustrations and pictures. The concepts are well explained and demonstrated.

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Jack
The strong foundation of your creative house.
Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2013
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This is a one of a kind book, it has no equal, and you will return to it again and again for advice and insight. Written by a master, it's your guide to finding your own mastery as well. I hesitate to share it, it's my best kept secret. If you work in the visual arts for pay or as a hobby this book will transform your insight into your own work. It's a wonderful compendium of knowledge on a subject few fully understand "this" well. It can only enhance your process once you've read it.

Also a great book for anyone genuinely interested in the how and why of lighting and camera work in a movie, this book could be purchased just to enhance film appreciation alone.

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3 people found this helpful

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Pizzle
Best of its kind. Bruce goes into great detail.
Reviewed in the United States on November 4, 2014
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I first encountered Bruce Block when he was teaching at UCLA Extension. I was the student liaison for the Entertainment Studies Department. Several students talked about how informative his class was. Year later I had the opportunity to take his class while I was a fellow at The American Film Institute. It was the only class that students requested to be made available more than once throughout the year. If you can take his class do it.
Since then I've earned my MFA in film and teach at the college level. I've used this book for my Understanding Motion Picture class. It will change the way you see not just film, but any visual medium. Don't just read it. I suggest you watch some of the recommended movies. The ideas in this book are best understood in application. You have to SEE how the concepts are applied.
Then put the book down and go make your vision real. Not enough film makers apply visual theory to their productions. It makes a world of difference.
He dissects "Space" into basic sub-components. He builds upon this understanding of these components into higher organized systems of visual elements and shows how to use them to "VISUALLY" tell your story.

A must have for film makers, photographer, graphic designers.
It's elementary at first but hang in through the entire book and you will have a deeper understanding of how we as humans, react to visuals.

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dave d.
Visual Story - a keeper
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2012
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I am amazed how one book can so clearly explain so much. Having read the book, it all seems so obvious and simple now, but believe me, I have read a dozen books trying to figure this stuff out, and I always ended up with more questions than answers. This book completely demystifies the whole visual thing: transforming the 3d world into 2d; how to create degrees of tension / harmony; how the eye follows objects on the screen; how editing can completely transform a scene (if you know the visual rules); how directors have used these techniques to convey a style. I free-lance making video for industrial businesses, and I am already noticing a difference in how I see the world, and my film editing has improved substantially (my customers have already noticed a difference). What I used to do intuitively, I can now describe in a more structured way. This saves me a lot of time, because now I know in advance now what works and what doesn't work, and I can plan my shots better. Highly recommended even if you only love to watch movies and don't actually plan to be involved in making one.

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Mireya Muñoz Guerrero
Lectura necesaria
Reviewed in Spain on March 21, 2021
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Es un libro al que acudir siempre. Muy bien explicado.

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Kindle Customer
A must read for filmmakers!
Reviewed in Canada on October 22, 2018
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Excellent book. A must read for filmmakers!

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Sunny Joseph
Five Stars
Reviewed in India on September 18, 2017
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One of the best book on the subject. A must for anyone who is interested in image creation

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Solveiga
It is so wonderfully written, that i feel like being in a ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 17, 2016
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this book is WOW! I am a videographer / cinematographer / self shooting director myself, and this is one of those reads that everyone working is this field, must have it. It is so wonderfully written, that i feel like being in a lecture listening to the very professional, who is passionate for what he does. The book is very easy to read and is so clear, given with load of visual examples on how longitudinal / frontal plane works, perspective and vanishing points, tonal, colour, textural, areal diffusions, all to make a realistic three dimensional world on a 2 dimensional screen.
I absolutely adore this book and the writer. THIS IS A MUST TO READ WHO IS A CINEMATOGRAPHER / DIRECTOR AT HEART :)

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C. Simona
Simple yet enlightening
Reviewed in Germany on June 13, 2014
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The principles explained in this little book are very simple and I am sure any visual artist has heard them many times before. And yet, with the fact that everything is reduced to the most simple, key statements, it drives the message home in ways no other explanation has done before.
Don't expect surprising insight, and yet for me a very impactful book.

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