Ian Haydn Smith – författare

The Short Story of Film is a new and innovative introduction to the art of film-making. Simply constructed, the book explores 50 key movies, from superhero blockbusters to indie darlings. The design of the book allows the reader to navigate their way around key genres, movements and techniques with ease. Accessible, concise and fun to read, this pocket guide will give moviegoers a new way to enjoy their favourite films and to discover new ones to watch.The perfect book for all movie lovers who want to understand how, why and when film changed

An entirely fresh perspective on the history of cinema, using timelines to trace its development from the earliest moving images to now. This visual timeline for film enthusiasts makes the history of cinema – from the earliest moving images to the latest blockbusters – newly accessible by organizing it chronologically. • A large format makes it easy to trace the complex links between technological innovations, social changes and artistic interventions. • An easy-to-read timeline identifies key films, together with commentaries and contextual information about the social, political and cultural events of the period in which they were produced. • In-depth essays explore a variety of film genres and styles, break down the technical advancements of the last 150 years, and highlight pivotal figures who have shaped the development of filmmaking. With A Chronology of Film, cinema is an open book…

Over the past year the success of British films at international film festivals - as well as the numerous awards bestowed on 12 Years a Slave - have demonstrated that British cinema has undergone a genuine renaissance that has caused new voices to emerge. At the same time, directors whose work have enthralled over the past five years have also continued to develop and expand their visions. The boundaries of British film-making are being redefined. Beginning with an Introduction exploring some of the factors that have led to this fertile environment, New British Cinema features in-depth interviews with the film-making voices at the vanguard of this new wave. Figures such as Clio Barnard, Richard Ayoade, Steve Mcqueen, Jonathan Glazer, Carol Morley, Yann Demange, Peter Strickland and Ben Wheatley provide a valuable insight into their work and working methods.Collectively, the film-makers who feature in this book symbolize the incredible breadth and diversity to be found in British cinema today.

Over the past year the success of British films at international film festivals - as well as the numerous awards bestowed on 12 Years a Slave - have demonstrated that British cinema has undergone a genuine renaissance that has caused new voices to emerge. At the same time, directors whose work has enthralled over the past five years have also continued to develop and expand their visions. The boundaries of British film-making are being redefined.Beginning with a preface exploring some of the factors that have led to this fertile environment, New British Cinema features in-depth interviews with the film-making voices at the vanguard of this new wave. Figures such as Clio Barnard, Richard Ayoade, Steve McQueen, Jonathan Glazer, Carol Morley, Yann Demange, Peter Strickland and Ben Wheatley provide a valuable insight into their work and working methods.

WHAT MAKES A CULT WRITER? Whether pioneering in their craft, fiercely and undeniably unique or critically divisive, cult writers come in all shapes and guises. Some gain instant fame, others instant notoriety, and more still remain anonymous until a chance change in fashion sees their work propelled into the limelight.Cult Writers introduces 50 novelists deserving of a cult status. The literary genres and subjects explored within these writers’ pages are rich and diverse – acting as mirrors of their genius minds. FromIrvine Welsh’s gritty Edinburgh streets, to Ken Kesey’s drug-fuelled madness; from feminist trailblazer Sylvia Plath to the magical realism of Angela Carter – discover little knowns with small, devout followings and superstars gracing the covers of magazines. Each writer is special in their individuality and their ability to inspire, antagonise and delight. Cult Writers is an essential addition to any book lover's library, as well as an entertaining introduction to our weird and wonderful world of literature.  Also in the series: Cult Artists, Cult Filmmakers + Cult MusiciansThe writers: Kathy Acker, James Baldwin, J.G. Ballard, Mikhail Bulgakov, Charles Bukowski, William S. Burroughs, Octavia E. Butler, Italo Calvino, Albert Camus, Angela Carter, Colette, Maryse Conde, Julio Cortazar, Philip K. Dick, Douglas Coupland, Marguerite Duras, Ralph Ellison, Elena Ferrante, Janet Frame, Jean Genet, Joseph Heller, Michel Houellebecq, James Joyce, Franz Kafka, Ken Kesey, Chris Kraus, Milan Kundera, Ursula K. Le Guin, Doris Lessing, Cormac McCarthy, Carson McCullers, Yukio Mishima, Haruki Murakami, Anais Nin, Sylvia Plath, Thomas Pynchon, Raymond Queneau, Ayn Rand, Pauline Reage, Jean Rhys, Juan Rulfo, Francoise Sagan, J.D. Salinger, Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, Donna Tartt, Jim Thompson, J.R.R. Tolkien, Kurt Vonnegut, Virginia Woolf, Irvine Welsh.

Discover films that dared to be different, risked reputations and put careers in jeopardy. This is what happens when filmmakers take tradition and rip it up.  FilmQuake introduces 50 movies that shook the cinematic world, telling the fascinating stories behind their creation, reception and legacy.From unbelievable developments in technology (Citizen Kane, 1941) to feminist triumphs (Wanda, 1970); films that kickstarted New Queer Cinema (Paris is Burning, 1990) to others that challenged lawmakers (A Short Film About Killing, 1988) – FilmQuake presents the movies that questioned boundaries, challenged the status quo and made shockwaves we are still feeling today.From film's first innovators, people like the Lumière brothers, whose short film of a train arriving was reported to have terrified audiences in 19th century Paris, through iconoclasts like Sergei Eisenstein and Luis Buñuel, to titans of 20th century cinema like Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard, discover the stories behind the films which incontrovertably changed the course of cinema forever.Into the modern day, this book examines how filmmakers have addressed themes of prejudice and inequality, from the Black Lives Matter movement and Jordan Peele's unmissable Get Out to Bong Joon-ho's cutting study of the lives of the wealthy in Parasite, as well as innovative new cinematic techniques emerging in films like 28 Days Later and Blair Witch Project.In telling the history of cinema through the works that were truly disruptive, and explaining the context in which each was created, FilmQuake demonstrates the heart of modern film, which is to constantly question boundaries and challenge expectation.This book is from the Culture Quake series, which looks into iconic moments of culture which truly created paradigm shifts in their respective fields.Also available is ArtQuake, which tells the stories of 50 pivotal works that challenged consensus and broke daring new ground in the world of art, inspiring shock and scandal as they did so, but ultimately cementing themselves as truly great works of modern art.

Discover films that dared to be different, risked reputations and put careers in jeopardy. This is what happens when filmmakers take tradition and rip it up.  FilmQuake introduces 50 movies that shook the cinematic world, telling the fascinating stories behind their creation, reception and legacy.From unbelievable developments in technology (Citizen Kane, 1941) to feminist triumphs (Wanda, 1970); films that kickstarted New Queer Cinema (Paris is Burning, 1990) to others that challenged lawmakers (A Short Film About Killing, 1988) – FilmQuake presents the movies that questioned boundaries, challenged the status quo and made shockwaves we are still feeling today.From film's first innovators, people like the Lumière brothers, whose short film of a train arriving was reported to have terrified audiences in 19th century Paris, through iconoclasts like Sergei Eisenstein and Luis Buñuel, to titans of 20th century cinema like Alfred Hitchcock and Jean-Luc Godard, discover the stories behind the films which incontrovertably changed the course of cinema forever.Into the modern day, this book examines how filmmakers have addressed themes of prejudice and inequality, from the Black Lives Matter movement and Jordan Peele's unmissable Get Out to Bong Joon-ho's cutting study of the lives of the wealthy in Parasite, as well as innovative new cinematic techniques emerging in films like 28 Days Later and Blair Witch Project.In telling the history of cinema through the works that were truly disruptive, and explaining the context in which each was created, FilmQuake demonstrates the heart of modern film, which is to constantly question boundaries and challenge expectation.This book is from the Culture Quake series, which looks into iconic moments of culture which truly created paradigm shifts in their respective fields.Also available is ArtQuake, which tells the stories of 50 pivotal works that challenged consensus and broke daring new ground in the world of art, inspiring shock and scandal as they did so, but ultimately cementing themselves as truly great works of modern art.

This fascinating book from veteran film journalist Ian Haydn Smith, with a foreword from award-winning director Asif Kapadia, explores 100 of the most compelling documentaries, each with the power to radically change our perceptions and challenge the way we see the world.Every so often a documentary comes along with the power to change the way you think, to share alternative perspectives, to make you furious about injustice or warm your heart.Contained in this book are documentaries that fulfil these criteria and astound viewers around the world; real-life stories to stop you in your tracks, bring tears to your eyes and put your heart in your mouth.From Barbara Kopple's Oscar-winning gritty depiction of working class America in Harlan County, USA to James Marsh's breathtaking Man on Wire, from powerful sporting tales such as Touching the Void to stories of true crimes and their repercussions such as Making a Murderer, this book delves deep into how these films were made, what makes them great, and also what other films you might like if you loved these ones.From Oscar winners to unseen gems from the Netflix vaults, international filmmakers to true crime, sport and culture stories, every documentary featured will make you think,make you feel and make you tell people, “You NEED to see this film.”Veteran film journalist Ian Haydn Smith writes with passion and knowledge about these masterpieces, and illustrations bring these films off the page. A foreword from BAFTA and Grammy-winning director Asif Kapadia helps situate this book as one of the invaluable works on cinema today.

From Eastenders to Dr Who, Desert Island Discs to Monty Pyton, The Office to Peaky Blinders, test your knowledge of the history of the BBC and all your favourite programmes with this OFFICIAL puzzle book.From casual quizzers to trivia obsessives, everyone will love this light-hearted and fun book of puzzles and quizzes.Learn about the organisation's history, from its beginnings right up until the present day, discovering all about its fantastic programmes, from comedy, drama and news to soaps, quiz shows and documentaries, along the way.Catch up with your favourite shows, stars and characters and learn about the history of the BBC on the way. You'll find long-standing, iconic series like Dr Who, Eastenders, The Archers or Desert Island Discs as well as more recent, cutting-edge dramas. There are also classic comedies like Monty Python, Fawlty Towers and Dad's Army as well as genre-changing hits like The Office or Fleabag.Each spread includes a lively, brief history together with puzzles that will suit all levels of knowledge and skill, making this title the perfect book for everyone to to enjoy.Over its more than 100 years, the BBC has been at the heart of family entertainment and information, known throughout the world for the quality of its output. Packed with history, facts, puzzles, and images of favourite stars and programmes, this is the perfect gift for Christmas and beyond!

What are the dying words of Charles Foster Kane in Citizen Kane? In The Matrix, does Neo take the blue pill or the red pill? From Steven Spielberg to Martin Scorsese, Alfred Hitchcock to Werner Herzog test your knowledge of the movies with this lively and entertaining puzzle book. Packed with history, facts, puzzles and images of all the most famous movies, stars and director, it will make the perfect Christmas gift. Covering all genres of film from horror to sci-fi, superhero to art house, the book will suit both film aficionados, who know the details of every Godfather film, to those who just love a weekend blockbuster.  Organized thematically, there are sections on all the key genres of film from all periods. The puzzles are designed so that you can work out the answers if you don’t know them already, so you don’t have to be a film expert in order to enjoy the book.  Written by Ian Smith, with the puzzles generated by expert puzzle creator, Gareth Moore.

The Short Story of Photography is a new and innovative introduction to the subject of photography. Simply constructed, the book explores 50 key photographs from the first experiments in the early ninteenth century to digital photography. Accessible and concise, the book explains how, why and when certain photographs really have changed the world. It demystifies technical jargon, giving readers a thorough understanding and broad enjoyment of photography since its creation.