{"product_id":"spectacular-digital-effects-cgi-and-contemporary-cinema-9780822355885","title":"Spectacular Digital Effects: CGI and Contemporary Cinema","description":"By developing the concept of the \"digital effects emblem,\" Kristen Whissel contributes a new analytic rubric to cinema studies. An \"effects emblem\" is a spectacular, computer-generated visual effect that gives stunning expression to a film's key themes. Although they elicit feelings of astonishment and wonder, effects emblems do not interrupt narrative, but are continuous with story and characterization and highlight the narrative stakes of a film. Focusing on spectacular digital visual effects in live-action films made between 1989 and 2011, Whissel identifies and examines four effects emblems: the illusion of gravity-defying vertical movement, massive digital multitudes or \"swarms,\" photorealistic digital creatures, and morphing \"plasmatic\" figures. Across films such as \u003ci\u003eAvatar\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eThe Matrix\u003c\/i\u003e, the \u003ci\u003eLord of the Rings\u003c\/i\u003e trilogy, \u003ci\u003eJurassic Park\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eTitanic\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eCrouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon\u003c\/i\u003e, these effects emblems heighten the narrative drama by contrasting power with powerlessness, life with death, freedom with constraint, and the individual with the collective.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Kristen Whissel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Duke University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/07\/2014\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 213\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.65lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.90h x 6.00w x 0.40d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780822355885\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eChoice\u003c\/i\u003e 10\/01\/2014 pg. 265\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eKristen Whissel is Professor of Film and Media at the University of California, Berkeley. She is the author of \"Picturing American Modernity: Traffic, Technology, and the Silent Cinema,\" also published by Duke University Press.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Duke University Press","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":40198619070579,"sku":"9.78E+12","price":30.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/9255\/0515\/products\/img_68a98025-844b-4d7a-978a-b90186e9a3ad.jpg?v=1656079349","url":"https:\/\/bookstorenmore.com\/products\/spectacular-digital-effects-cgi-and-contemporary-cinema-9780822355885","provider":"Bookstore N More","version":"1.0","type":"link"}