Cinema Studies Subject Guide
Reference Guides
Dictionaries and Handbooks
- The Complete Film Dictionary
Konigsberg, Ira. New York: New American Library, 1987.
PN1993.45.K66 1987 - Cinema, A Critical Dictionary: The Major Film-Makers
Roud, Richard, ed. . New York: Viking, 1980. 2 volumes
Ref PN1993.45.C5 - The Complete Film Production Handbook
Honthaner, Eve Light. Boston, MA : Focal Press, 2001
PN1995.9.P7H66 2001 - BKSTS Illustrated Dictionary of Moving Image Technology
Uren, Martin. Boston: Focal Press, 2001.
MediaCenter TS2301.A7B37 2001 - Dictionary of Film Terms: the Aesthetic Companion to Film Analysis
Beaver, Frank Eugene. New York: Twayne Publishers, 1994.
Ref TR847.B43 1994 - Filmmaker’s Dictionary
Singleton, Ralph S. and James A. Conrad. Janna Wong Healy, ed. 2nd ed. Hollywood: Lone Eagle, 2000.
Ref PN1993.45.S56 2000 - The Filmmaker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age
Ascher, Steven and Pincus, Edward. New York, N.Y. : Plume, 1999
TR850 .P54 1999 - Film Production Technique: Creating the Accomplished Image
Mamer, Bruce. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, 2000.
PN1995.9.P7M278 2000 - The Film Studies Dictionary
Blandford, Steve, Barry Keith Grant, and Jim Hillier. London: Arnold; New York: Oxford University Press, 2001.
Ref PN1993.45.B53 2001 - The IFILM Digital Video Filmmaker's Handbook
Collier, Maxie. . Hollywood: Lone Eagle Publishers.
TR850 .C55 2001 - International Dictionary of Films and Filmmakers
Pendergast, Tom and Sara Pendergast, eds. 4th ed. Detroit: St. James, 2000. 4volumes
Ref PN 1997.8.I58 2000 - The International Film Industry: An Historical Dictionary
Slide, Anthony. . New York: Greenwood Press, 1989.
Ref PN1993.45.S57 1989 - The Language of Cinema
Jackson, Kevin. Manchester: Carcanet, 1998.
Ref PN1998.45 .J23 1998b - The New Historical Dictionary of the American Film Industry
Slide, Anthony. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 1998.
Ref PN1993.5.U6S539 1998
”Intended for those involved in the making of motion pictures, for the student of film, and for the individual who finds pleasure in casually examining literature on the art of the cinema. Although sometimes highly technical in nature, it makes the language of film available to all readers in a clear and painless manner.”
Note the word “critical” in the title, which according to the editors, expresses “less objective survey than a covert statement…of the art of film.” Contains extended critical essays.
Over 3300 definitions covering film, television, sound, and multimedia technologies.
Provides definitions“of the techniques, concepts, genres and styles that have evolved as part of cinematic expression and analysis.” (ix)
Geared toward the novice filmmaker and film buff. Over 5000 entries covering the legal and technical aspects of production and distribution.
Although there are no biographical entries, this work “attempts to balance both aesthetic and industrial technology guided by our perceptions of the needs of the range of contemporary students.”
Covers Pre-Production, lighting, digital video and editing.
Over 650 entries in all, this four volume set covers (in a volume each) Films, Directors, Actors and Actresses, Writers and Production Artists. Each entry consists of production information, crews and cast, selected bibliographies and a critical essay.
”brief historical essays on the cinema in virtually every country in the world.” Entries for most directors and stars include a complete filmography.
Constitutes and effort of “cinema lexicography.” Brief definitions for technical and aesthetic terms used in professional and academic film discourse.
A dictionary of “American producing and releasing companies, technical innovations, industry terms, studios, genres and organizations.” (vii) Some important entries (e.g. film noir) have useful, but selected, bibliographies along with their entry. This work is a later edition of The International Film Industry (which includes national cinemas, not just American).
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