300: The Art of the Film: A Zack Snyder Film

by Zack Snyder

Book Overview

What does it mean to turn one of the great graphic novels of our time into a major motion picture? In 1998, Frank Miller shook the comics world with his groundbreaking series 300. Marking Miller s first collaboration with watercolor artist Lynn Varley (Ronin, The Dark Knight Returns) in over a decade, 300 was a gritty reimagining of a battle in which 300 Spartan soldiers fought to hold back the entire Persian army. The series won five Eisner Awards,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1593077017
• ISBN13: 9781593077013
• Release Date: January 2007
• Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
• Length: 124 Pages
• Weight: 2.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 12.9" x 10.0"

Customer Reviews

Misinterpretations Aside

It seems that some people are having a hard time realizing that the title of this book includes "The Art of the Film" and are searching for filming procedures, or sociopolitical explanations on behalf of the film when, in fact, this IS an art book. And for what it is, it does a great job revealing the artistic vision behind the film 300. From makeup effects to storyboarding to the comic conversion of the film, "300: The Art of the Film" makes a stylistic presentation that is worthy of the aesthetic care of the movie itself. Anyone who is interested in the artistic background in the movie 300 will appreciate the clean layout and complete presentation of this book.

WOW

If You really Like this movie and besides you LOVE VFX, this book is just made for you, is the perfect combination of Art and CG Effects. A "Must Have" For Movie Lovers.

Excellent Addition

Film, as we've all come to now accept, is a very difficult media with which to work (and even moreso) fall in love with. Hollywood seldom puts out movies that make you FEEL the story. Yes, there are perhaps one or two per year that really do stand out, but that would most definately be the limit. Think of "Saving Private Ryan" or "You've Got Mail" or even "Lord of the Rings"--what do all of these pictures have in common? (1) Good acting, (2) good screenplays, (3) visually compelling cinematography, and (4) gripping soundtracks. All four of these elements make these three movies wonderful. These same characteristics can be found in far older pictures like "Citizen Kane" or "Patton." The unique aspect of "300" is its cinematography. Set in front of green screens, the actors did their very best to act emotionally and physically to elements not present until post-production editing. That's what makes "300" so compelling and wonderful a movie. Yes, it incorporates the four elements mentioned above, but the reason people are flocking to watch this movie is because IT IS DIFFERENT. Sure, we've had movies based on comic books for quite some time...the original "Superman" TV shows and movie, "Spiderman", and the more recent additions. But NONE of these actually bring the comic world to the screen. The screenwriters tried to reform the comic book image to fit real life. In some cases it worked. In most it did not. "300" was a comic book from the very first shot. No one wanted to make it "realistic" or "convincing." It was just made to look and feel like a comic book. And it works. Having said that, "300: The Art of the Film" is a great addition to the movie. Though not essential, it certainly gives interesting background information about perhaps the most visually compelling and moving film made in decades (and, yes, even more compelling than "Lord of the Rings"). It's a nice book to show you where movies can go, how much further our imaginations can stretch, and how Hollywood sometimes sends us a movie we can all be proud of.

300: The Art Of The Film

Excellent Book! Truly shows the process involved with creating an awesome film. From story boards to the finished product. Special effects, make-up, costumes, sets, CGI are all included with art from Frank Miller's graphic novel. Beautiful photography and artist renderings of many of the fascinating characters.

Super Impressed

Way to go, KM! This book rocks. I saw it early, before it was on the shelves, and I know how much effort went into it. The ENTIRE book was assembled and edited in a short (and made even shorter by production elements) time and I think it is FANTASTIC. I especially admire the Foreword by V.D. Hanson - He is a supremely intelligent man and eminently readable writer... I love his work and it lends an interestingly academic air to the impressive rendition of the legend by F. Miller.