Illustrated History Of Filmmaking

by Adam Allsuch Boardman

Take a trip through the history of filmmaking in this illustrated widescreen exploration of the people, technologies, and techniques that have shaped the course of cinema.

Going back as far as prehistoric times, when cavemen played with light and shadow, to present day when we can stream Netflix into our living rooms, An Illustrated History of Filmmaking gets down to the nitty-gritty on everything film!

This illustrated guide shows filmmaking in action, chock full of factual information about actors and directors to the equipment and technology used throughout the ages. Featuring appearances from Hollywood heavyweights through time like George Lucas, Jean Luc Godard, Agnes Varda, Akira Kurosawa, and Stanley Kubrick, this book uses wonderfully detailed illustrations to illuminate film's past and to speculate on its exciting future!

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Film, Graphic Novels, Comics, Art, Graphic Novels Comics

Hardcover

Published September 1, 2018

About the author

Adam Allsuch Boardman is an illustrator based in Leeds, who recently completed his BA Illustration degree at Leeds College of Art. He has worked on a variety of projects including merchandise for the Hyde Park Picture House, and producing imagery for several museum projects. Fuelled by an interest in the trivial, and a fastidious study of detail, Adam enjoys illustrating a variety of subjects.

Reviews

[Victoria Dembrovska · Rating 4 out of 5]

Я хотіла почитати про кіно, як про мистецтво і культурне явище, а почитала про всякі різні кінокамери і технології. Oh well. Принаймні ілюстрації дуже милі.

[Julia Chupryna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Не стільки про історію кіно, скільки про короткий авторський погляд на історію кіно, але від того не менш пізнавально. Точно не знайти обширного історичного зрізу, етапів і еволюції кіномистецтва, але може сподобатись за:
- стислі довідникові кіноблоки (не перенасичені інформативністю, але взятий концентрат гарно ілюструє зміни, що динамічно відбувались в кіноіндустрії)
- акценти на деформації та розвитку технічних приладів для зйомки (і їхньої внутрішньої механіки)
- невеликий словничок із дефініціями кінопрофесій (їх так багацько, що лише з переліком всіх розумієш кількість ланок задіяних у кіновиробництві)
- графічні ілюстрації, якими оформлене саме видання (особливо приємно відгадувати зображення режисерів/акторів/сценаристів, портрети яких виконані у сучасному стилі наїв).
Тому, для легкого і швидкого знайомства з кіносвітом - те, що треба.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ця книга виявилася не зовсім тим, на що сподівалася. За такою назвою насправді сховався розвиток апаратури, з допомогою якої створюється кіно. А я ж то хотіла дізнатися про мистецтво.

Інформації так багато, що після кожного прочитаного уривка (абзаца) хотілося гуглити ВСЕ. В дитинстві мала схожу енциклопедію — купа картинок, мінімум інфи. Хоча ні, вона таки змістовніша була за «Ілюстровану історію кіно».

Але тут неймовірні ілюстрації, які дуже сподобалися. Саме завдки їм 4 з 5.

[Jon Hewelt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Majorly disappointing.

The illustrations are lovely, but as I read, I kept asking, "Who is this book for?".

The endplates depict various important directors, actors and other contributors to the history of filmmaking, but few of them are explored in the actual book. I appreciate the attention given to the history of the actual filmmaking equipment-advances in cameras, special effects, and the like--but there also seemed to be major gaps. Why acknowledge some practical effects and not others?

The book also neglects to mention certain film moments while giving attention to others, and it made me wonder: is this book more interested in the history of filmmaking, or the history of American filmmaking? Certain movements, like French New Wave and German Expressionism are mentioned while others, like Dogme 95, are left out. And as the book approached the 21st century, there seems to be less attention given to particular innovations for individual directors and countries, and a rushed, "This is what's happening now, regardless of country" takes over. It's a more uniform, global perspective, but it also flattens out particular significant contributions to the history of filmmaking. Why is what's included important, and more important than the stuff that's left out?

I love David Lynch, but what is he doing in this book? He gets a full page, and his contribution to film--which I consider significant--doesn't fit into the timeline this book establishes. Emphasis is given to his storytelling, but no mention of his sound design, shot composition, or other innovations.

I know this book is meant to be a primer. "Here are the major moments of filmmaking, and you can do more research on your own!" But the primer is all over the place, inconsistent in its information and lax in its making connections to historical things. The author talks about the innovations of Beta and VHS, but fails to mention that that technological step forward--along with the development of affordable consumer-grade film equipment--led to the home video boom and changed the way films are made and stories are told. Just as an example.

And that'd be fine if stuff was left out like that, as long as the most basic elements of film history are present and explained. But they're not. Stuff's missing, stuff's not explained. Is this for people new to film? Or is this for people who already love film and have a working knowledge of it? If it's the former, the education's incomplete, and if it's the latter, it's disappointing AND incomplete.

I get ranty when I don't like something. This gets an extra star because the illustrations are so lovely. But man, this book stinks.

[Pavlo Shchepan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Дуже мало інформації. Підійде швидше для школярів.

[Данило Судин · Rating 4 out of 5]

Якщо швидко прогортати книгу, то здається, ніби це книжка з великою кількістю інфографіки. Але насправді це просто книга, де ілюстрації переважають над текстом.
Тому книга є гарним і доступним вступом до історії кіно. Але не тягне на довідкове видання, на жаль

[Alex Bondarenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

Дуже красива, хоча й доволі поверхова книга. Радше приємний подарунок, ніж база знань. Проте все одно підштовхує почитати щось додатково і подивитися важливу класику.

[Oksana Artemenko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Красиві картинки, якісний папір. Але суть книги далеко не відповідає її обкладинці. Дуже поверхово проф сторін кіно, навіть для аматорів. Багато пропусків, багато речей, які забуваєш, одразу перегорнувши сторінку... Для мене, на жаль, книга-розчарування.

[Mikeru Desu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Мало іноформації та мальовані ілюстрації

[Matt Short · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charmingly illustrated but ultimately falls a bit flat.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, though it gets a bunch of stuff (dates, genres, technical details) wrong in what little it can cover

[Westin Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

A light introduction to film history that is nearly perfect. Almost every film history class/book covers the same content in the same way, as if they are all going off a single syllabus from decades ago. This one covers film history in a little more balanced way with a more modern perspective. Kinda sucks this has very little circulation and is borderline out-of-print.

Although keep in mind this is a very light version of film history that can be read in like 45 minutes. It's not for anyone already familiar with this field, but it's great for people who are getting into it for the first time. The damn shame about this book is that I noticed a few typos. It's not unforgivable, but it's a really annoying flaw.

[Red · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was sent this book in exchange for an honest review.

As someone with an interest in film I think this is an invaluable read for anyone wanting an easy and accessible starting point.

Through a cohesive mix of cheerful illustrations and succinct text the reader is introduced to historical people, technologies and practices, as well as an insight into the trajectory of film culture and current industry practices.

Overall Boardman has created a very educational book that also works as a point of reference for ones own research.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book - I now have an extensive list of actors, directors and films to check out!

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An Illustrated History of Filmmaking is the kind of handsome, appealing book that instantly catches the eye. If you saw it on a coffee table, I guarantee you'd pick it up and skim through it. For the dedicated reader, though, it's probably a bit too skimmable, just a bare-bones overview of films and film-making, a straightforward chronology seeded with fun facts. There's certain to be some charming nutmeg that surprises you, but for the most part it's merely a glimpse into the arduous process of filmmaking and the vast history of the form.

[Daisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quality Rating: Five Stars
Enjoyment Rating: Five Stars

Anyone who is even remotely interested in filmmaking should read this. While it is brief in its descriptions and subjects, it explores a comprehensive collection of relevant points, and does so with humour and passion. And, can I just say how utterly wonderful it is to read a book about filmmaking (and its history no less) that features and promotes the work of women, people of colour, and the work of ‘smaller’ technical roles.

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting concept, a graphic novel timeline of filmmaking. But definitely gaps in the presentation, as others have mentioned, and hard to tell who the intended audience is, as some of the concepts are very basic and others are more in depth. Not bad paired with another graphic novel, Filmish, for students interested in films and filmmaking.

[Lily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focusing on both the technical and historical elements of film, this trajectory traces history, making notable inclusions of oft unrecognized women and people of color in the industry over time. Clean illustrations typical of Nobrow.

[Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Illustrated History of Filmmaking talks about film from when the first camera was made to modern cinema today. I loved the illustrations in this book and it gave me a great understanding of the history of film.

[Giuseppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating book about the history of moving pictures and important persons and inventions that made an impact in the film industry through the years. Also includes a glossary and index. Perfect recommendation for film buffs.

[Margo Hill · Rating 2 out of 5]

A cute surface history of filmmaking. The graphic novel format lends itself nicely to the subject matter, but don't expect much beyond the technological advancements of the industry.

[Chelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, short guide on the technical history of filmmaking. I was hoping it would focus more on the artistic development in film and not just the technical aspects, but it sadly did not.

[Rob McMonigal · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a person who loves film and reading about its history, this was a pretty cool short overview.

[Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little illustrated history of filmmaking. Boardman has some entertaining drawings of directors, actors, and sets. Covers all the basics from Muybridge to Mad Max: Fury Road.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a nice overview.

[Kyle Plunkett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, the best book on filmmaking. The illustrations were great visual guides for beginners and film lovers.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great overview of the history of filmmaking that includes non-white and non-American contributions to that history. I would recommend for middle schoolers and up who are interested in the topic.

[Zaren · Rating 4 out of 5]

many knowledge i got from this book! (as a beginner)

[brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

really cool simplified film 101

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a film nerd so this was a treat. Will definitely be reading this to my kids later!