The Critical Dictionary of Film and Television Theory clearly and accessibly explains the major theoretical approaches now deployed in the study of the moving image as well as defining key theoretical terms. In the last three decades, the field of television and film studies has emerged from several related disciplines: literary studies; psychoanalysis; history and sociology among others. It is now established as a discipline in its own right with a complex and developed theoretical apparatus of its own. This dictionary provides readers with the conceptual apparatus to understand the often daunting language and terminology of screen studies. It offers beginning students an introductory map of the field and more experienced students and scholars a refresher course on the basic concepts. Key features: * over 400 entries * entries range from 500 to 3,000 words and give a context to the debate surrounding the term rather than a simplistic 'definition' * includes suggestions for further reading * fully indexed * fully cross-referenced Consultant Editors: David Black, William Urricchio, Gill Branston Entries include: * audience * Homi K. Bhabha * black cinema * the body * children and media * commodification * cop shows * deep focus * Umberto Eco * the gaze * Donna Haraway * bell hooks * infotainment * master narrative * medical dramas * morpheme * myth * panopticon * pastiche * pleasure * real time * social realism * sponsorship * sport on television * subliminal * third cinema * virtual reality Stuart Allen, University of West England,UK; Matthew Allen, Curtin University, Australia ; Richard Allen, Tisch School of the Arts; Paula Tatla Amad, Curtin University, Australia; Karen Backstein, USA