by Pamela Jaye Smith
Book Review
By Ann Baldwin
Pamela Jaye Smith has earned a respected reputation internationally for her extensive education and training in the universal language of visual imagery. She is a writer, consultant, speaker, and award-winning producer/director with over 30 years of experience in features, TV, music videos, commercials, documentaries, corporate and military films. In her newest book, Symbols • Images • Codes: The Secret Language of Meaning in Film, TV, Games, and Visual Media (Michael Wiese Productions 2010), she gives you insight into the world of visual imagery and teaches you how to use this silent form of communication to deeply connect with, better convey your message to, and have a more lasting impression on your audience.
Pamela examines a vast array of subjects like astronomy, colors, animals, numbers, anatomy, clothing, architecture, sex, and weapons. With each subject, she gives you a brief history and description of what it means; then, she shows you how and where to incorporate them into your projects. Her examples include films from the classics to cult favorites to last years Oscar winner. She includes fun exercises to help you apply what you’ve learned and an index for quick referencing of emotions, situations, and concepts with links to each subject.
Just like connecting the dots or piecing together a puzzle, learning to use symbols, images, and codes within your visual projects makes for a more complete picture. Because symbols and images affect people emotionally, they will also heighten the impact of your message, making it more effective.
When you’re creating visual media like films and television, you’re dealing with time constraints, so the images you use need to speak volumes to help convey your message; and then, the popular adage, “A picture is worth a thousand words,” will hold true with each and every one of your projects.
To learn more about Pamela Jaye Smith you can visit her website at pamelajayesmith.com and purchase a copy of Symbols • Images • Codes at Michael Wiese Productions, Amazon, The Writer's Store, Borders, or Barnes & Noble.
