Short films are often experimental in nature. They can place aspects of the environment which are usually unnoticed in such a way as to sharpen our observations of the world, and "create a new awareness, a fuller sense of life and being." Based on the premise that visual literacy is becoming increasingly important, this book describes several films which attempt to serve this function under four sections: The observer and the creative spirit, which includes the films, "The Searching Eye" and "Why Man Creates;" a sharper vision, covering films such as "Leaf" and "Waters of Yosemite;" impression and compression, including the films "American Time Capsule" and "Deep Blue World;" and the poetry of awareness, with films such as "Moods of Surfing" and "Ski the Outer Limits." In each section, the discussion focuses on the films, beginning with an introductory statement on the film and then presenting a description of the action of the film, a list of suggestions for ways to approach thinking about the film after viewing it, a series of written reactions to the film, a brief statement on making the film, and, in some cases, an interview with the film's producer. A statement on the role of a film producer concludes the book. (SH)