I've enjoyed the comments of instructors who use textbooks at one or the other of the two extremes. I'd like to put in a plug for showing "Visions of Light" as early as possible in the semester in an intro. course, whichever textbook is used. The enthusiasm of the cinematographers interviewed in that documentary for a wide variety of films and genres helps to establish a basis in the course for appreciating film classics as well as more accessible recent material. I'm always floored by how few of the students have seen even a popular classic such as "Casablanca" (and, on the other hand, how many have seen "Gone with the Wind"). With "Visions of Light" as background, students have a sense of what elements director and cinematographer have available in creating a film, a wonderful supplement to textbook discussions and a genuine catalyst for classroom discussion at a more sophisticated level than otherwise might have been possible. Students will quote from those interviews in class throughout the entire semester. Dan Gribbin. Dan Gribbin ([log in to unmask]) Professor of English Ferrum College Ferrum, Virginia 24088 540-365-7303 ********************************************* ---- Online resources for film/TV studies may be found at ScreenSite http://www.tcf.ua.edu/ScreenSite