Although each of the 16 essays in the collection Filming Difference resonates with an individual voice, at their core these pieces share a common focus on the struggle to articulate identity through the medium of film. In "Framing Identities / the Evolving Self: Beyond the Academic Director," for example, Cristina Kotz Cornejo keenly dissects how each of the unique parts of her persona (female, academic, Latina, film maker) influence her craft without restricting her vision or limiting the content of her documentaries and short films. In "Disability is Us: Remember, Recovering, and Remaking the Image of Disability," Laura Kissel delves into the history of how bodies with disabilities have been depicted in film. Christopher Bradley tackles the challenge of building an acting career after making the conscious choice to appear in the gay film Leather Jacket Love Story. In his contribution, "'I saw You Naked': 'Hard' Acting in 'Gay' Movies", Bradley investigates the construction of identity on and off camera and the ramifications of tackling such a role.

Filming Difference is divided into five major sections: "Exposing Bodies", "Border Visions", "Global Identities", "Independent Ambitions", and "True Hollywood Stories". The selection of essays for each section contributes to the solid organizational structure of the book. Bernadi has gathered together a prestigious group of professional contributors from all aspects of film--directors, producers, executives and teachers--who share personal reflections on the craft that will benefit viewers and film makers alike.

In "Notes on Migratory Film", John Thornton Caldwell maps the broad territory explored in his documentary films. His work has examined American expatriates in Nepal and India, the Miskito Indians of Nicaragua, and the Mixteco community in Southern California, as well as the practice of full-body tattooing by Managalese males in Papua, New Guinea--a practice that in recent times has been outlawed and discontinued. Bernadi's "An Interview with Paul Espinosa" provides a platform for Espinosa to discuss the cultural and political lives of Latinos; Daniel S. Cutrara writes about his decision to leave the Catholic priesthood after 19 years, a decision that resulted in part from writing the script for the gay love story Kali Danced, in which he explores the gay subculture within the priesthood. Cutrara discusses how his early writing decisions were compromised by his desire to avoid censorship. He struggled over outing himself, his fear of betraying his Jesuit colleagues, and the conviction that he must accurately represent the priesthood in his work will resonate with many readers. The final piece in the collection, "Televising Difference: an Interview with Paris Barclay' by Kevin Sandler, reveals the often subtle ways Barclay has been able to influence the depiction of African-Americans, gays and lesbians, and other minority while directing episodes of such popular television shows as City of Angels, NYPD Blue, The Shield, and West Wing.

Filming Difference offers thoughtful perspectives on an intriguing topic. The contributors use their personal insight to illuminate the creative and technical aspects of film work, and though they share a common medium, the professional experiences they reveal in this book are diverse, engaging, and instructive.