Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know by Jennifer Van Sijll

Cinematic storytelling is an art form that has the power to move, inspire, and captivate viewers. Jennifer Van Sijll, an experienced script consultant, author, and educator, looks to explore the century’s worth of cinematic conventions that have shaped cinema into the beauty it is today in her book Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know. Whether readers are film aficionados, budding filmmakers, or just cinephiles, this book provides a comprehensive overview of the essential conventions used in filmmaking, ensuring no essential avenue of cinema is neglected.

Van Sijll begins by introducing the importance of visual language in the art of film. She dives deep into viewership expectations and the challenges that come with balancing visual language with the audience’s perception. Through examining the psychology of watching movies, she helps readers understand why certain conventions are so crucial. She then moves on to discuss commonly used concepts like suspense, rhythm, dialogue, sound, and other structural elements.

In Cinematic Storytelling, Van Sijll explains each cinematic tool used in detailed step-by-step formulas, featuring practical advice from award-winning filmmakers. Applying the formulas and examples in the book, Van Sijll helps readers go through their own journey of crafting their own story ideas into executable, effective pieces of film.

Van Sijll also shares valuable insight into popular elements like the three-act structure and the hero’s journey. She goes over ways to establish a connection with the audience and draw viewers in with silhouettes and close-ups, correct use of color, and techniques to create human emotion with symbols and metaphors. Van Sijll also shares tips on economy of motion, meaning how to convey a message in the most efficient and economical way possible.

Throughout the book, Van Sijll provides interviews with various film experts and a multitude of examples, ranging from iconic movies such as The Godfather to lesser-known independent films. She also shares tangible exercises that readers can use to deeply think through, analyze, and develop their filmmaking skills.

Cinematic Storytelling: The 100 Most Powerful Film Conventions Every Filmmaker Must Know provides aspiring filmmakers and storytellers with a comprehensive overview of the art of cinematic storytelling. Jennifer Van Sijll’s comprehensive knowledge and expertise, combined with practical advice and numerous examples, equips readers with the tools to craft captivating pieces of art for any viewer. Readers with an interest in film, television, video games, and commercial production, will certainly find this book invaluable.