Writing on the Edge: Paratexts in Narrative Cinema : Paratexts of Narrative Cinema

'Writing on the Edge' discusses written elements surrounding narrative films - so-called filmic paratexts. These include opening and closing credit sequences, the movie title, and tie-in products such as the novelization. While not directly part of the storytelling process, as they reference the film's status as a product, paratexts serve as the story's frame, generating expectations and guiding the audiences through their viewing experience. The book focuses on this exchange between the extradiegetic nature of paratexts and the diegesis of the films they accompany. This exchange takes place in the space between producers' endeavors to 'advertise a product' and filmmakers' attempts to 'tell a story'. 'Writing on the Edge' investigates the filmmaking conventions established to negotiate between these realms. In doing so, the book analyzes a wide range of title sequences and promotional materials covering all periods of film history.