Screen Methods: Comparative Readings in Film Studies is a collection of essays that explores in detail the way in which Film Studies, an increasingly popular subject at universities, has been approached theoretically, culturally and historically and the ways in which this has changed in the twenty-first century. In so doing, the contributors to this unique volume also give an invaluable insight into many of the theories at the heart of film studies. The book focuses on classical theories, culture-based approaches, early and modern theory, statistical approaches and the (potential) futures of critical film theory. Divided into three sections, the essays discuss ‘film form and method’, including notions of time, space and sound in cinema; ‘theory and method’, including the idea of spectatorship and portrayals of sex, sexuality and family; and ‘new technology and method’, which includes digital cinema, the influence of special effects and audience studies. Films discussed include Star Wars, A Room with a View, Philadelphia, Romance, American Beauty, and Gladiator, as well as the films of Jacques-Louis David and Ridley Scott.

Contributors include Melania Arouh, Mike Copra-Gant, Christine Cornea, Deborah Jermyn, Darren Kerr, Peter Krämer, Martin Lister, David Lusted, William Merrin, Monica Pearl, John Phillips, John Sedgwick, Robynn J. Stilwell, Damian Sutton and Michael Williams.

Jacqueline Furby and Karen Randell are both Senior Lecturers in Film Studies at the Southampton Institute.

2006
224 pages
978-1–904764–34–2     £16.99 (pbk)
978-1–904764–35–9     £45.00 (hbk)

view contents

chapter samples
Notes on contributors
Introduction