Recently I have been asked a few times if I an recommend any good books to read for someone who is trying to understand film or get a better grasp of putting a film together.My reply is usually that you NEED to read Bruce Block's THE VISUAL STORY. This book is very widely read in industry and it perfectly explains the relationship between visual structure and story structure.
It is a book that will help cinematographers, production designers, screen writers and directors at all levels gain a better understanding between the visual structure on screen and the story structure on paper.
This book helps to bring together both the theory and the practice into an easily assimilated context. It breaks down all of the components that go into making each shot. Then it explains how to control each of those components in order to obtain the shot you require and ultimately achieve the desired effect on the viewer.
It is a fantastically well crafted book that adopts a user friendly vocabulary to develop and encourage aspiring film makers of all levels. It is fully recommended as a must read book to anyone who is serious about film making.
"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'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
http://www.amazon.com/Visual-Story-Second-Creating-Structure/dp/0240807790/ref=dp_ob_title_bk
