{"product_id":"spectacular-digital-effects-cgi-and-contemporary-cinema-paperback","title":"Spectacular Digital Effects: CGI and Contemporary Cinema - Paperback","description":"\u003cp\u003eby \u003cb\u003eKristen Whissel\u003c\/b\u003e (Author)\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy 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\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eAuthor Biography\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\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\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNumber of Pages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 224\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.4 x 8.9 x 6 IN\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIllustrated:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes\u003c\/div\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePublication Date:\u003c\/strong\u003e March 07, 2014\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Books by splitShops","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42722434121791,"sku":"9780822355885","price":62.12,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0105\/8226\/1823\/files\/278e07281ba823ae31a20f3da7084101.webp?v=1765095750","url":"https:\/\/dhlswag.com\/products\/spectacular-digital-effects-cgi-and-contemporary-cinema-paperback","provider":"BBB","version":"1.0","type":"link"}