Essential Book For Filmmakers
921949
If you're planning on making a film or have already completed one, you NEED this book! It gave me a lot of helpful tips and things to plan for before I even shoot. I am transitioning from short films to features, and I have already made some changes based on recommendations from Ms. Parks. An invaluable tool for your filmmaking library.
1110544
The Insider's Guide to Independent Film Distribution is a must read for anyone planning to shoot a film, but I would advise that one read it before shooting, actually before even writing the screenplay--I wish I had before my first feature. It's easier and cheaper than ever to make a film, but one of the things that is now frighteningly apparent is that the indie film landscape is now cluttered with noise, and what was once a marketplace where little movie gems could be discovered and harvested, and where real money could be made, has basically dried up. This book starts by pulling no punches laying out just how tough the landscape has become: most indie films won't find theatrical distribution; even if you are lucky enough to sell your film to a distributor, you probably won't make money past the advance you get; or worse yet, you probably won't get an advance; the DVD market is dying. Tough stuff to read, especially with a film you spent tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars on, now sitting on a hard drive. But you know what? This is all ultimately empowering. No longer can indie filmmakers hope to shoot the next festival darling that will sell for a few millions and springboard ones career. DIY, or do it yourself, truly means just that, and not just the writing and production but, as this book so clearly articulates, also through the marketing and distribution of ones film. In short, we are all becoming the heads of our own little studios, and  with the dawning of the age of digital video on demand, it is all very doable. The Insider's Guide to Independent Film Distribution is a good little primer on just how to proceed as we all navigate these new and exciting times. A great set of appendices as well.
3061139
Christopher Kenworthy comes through again with his three book Shoot Like series of filmmaking books. The three books are Shoot Like Spielberg, Shoot Like Tarantino, and Shoot Like Scorsese. Each book is 144 pages and loaded with information to make you a better filmmaker.

Each chapter of each book hones in on a certain technique such as Raising Tension, Symbolism of Height, Revealing the Villain among dozens of others. Each technique is broken down using a scene from one of the movies the director has made. For example Chapter 10 of the Shoot Like Tarantino book is called Group Conversations. It teaches you a method of how Tarantino shoots a group conversation using a scene from Pulp Fiction. There are stills from the move put in order to correspond with the text of the book so you fully understand what is being taught to you. It is recommended that you also watch the scene from a DVD or your online library so that you can comprehend and see the camera moves and techniques in action.

Kenworthy recommends that you watch the entire film first as there are spoilers in the book. It's a great excuse to go out a buy yourself some films for your movie library too. (Ohh...did I say that out loud?).
Seriously though, having copies of each film or at least the one you are studying will help you immensely.

If you are working on a film and you can't afford the entire series, I suggest looking at the chapter list of each book and purchase just the book or books that you need to help you make your film. Maybe your film is purely in the style of Spielberg. If it is just get that one and study Steven Spielberg films with the book by your side. A nice collection of books that I can envision as one big book someday. That would make it easier for us folks who can't make decisions!

You can't go wrong with anything Kenworthy writes. His books are always thoughtful, in-depth and easy to understand. They are written to help make an average filmmaker an extraordinary one. Get the book or books and then get busy making your movie. Don't tell your filmmaking friends that you have these books though. They will be your secret weapon.

review copy supplied by MWP
3973017
This is exactly what a moviemakers master class should be. It asks technical and artistic questions to some of the greatest directors of all time.

If you want to hear why Tim Burton likes wide lenses, which contemporary directors Scorsese admires and why, Jean Pierre Jeunet's theory of camera movement, David Lynch's "secret dolly move", John Woo's method of shooting and cutting scenes to music, The Coen brothers writing process, Lars Von Trier's take on the rules of Dogme 95, Jean-Luc Goddard's theory of filmmaking out of desire vs. need, then this book is your ticket.

This is a goldmine of knowledge. There are no fluff interviews here; only the best filmmakers in the world relating solid technical advice and tried and true shooting strategies developed from years of experience.
2288382
<div id="video-block-RBYHVHSSBBU3D" class="a-section a-spacing-small a-spacing-top-mini video-block"></div><input type="hidden" name="" value="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/C1-ReSwuLHS.mp4" class="video-url"><input type="hidden" name="" value="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/91YI9H4ORmS.png" class="video-slate-img-url">&nbsp;It is easy to underestimate this book, simply because of the cover.  Tanya York has a ton of movie experience, because she started very young.  Tanya York has produced over 30 movies and distributed well over 100 movies.  Randall Frakes co-directed Xenogenesis with James Cameron, and participated in both Terminator movies.

Here are three reasons why I like this book.  First, this book is unique, because filmmaking books are written mostly by directors, not distributors.  There are thousands of books on how to make a movie, and very few that tell you how to sell one.

Second, Tanya York is a distributor in the direct-to-dvd and low budget independent film market, which is the most likely entry point for a beginning filmmaker.

Third, this book is very well written, the the assistance of veteran screenwriter Randy Frakes.  It balances autobiography with experience, and a little inspiration.

The author's great passion and brutal honesty regarding the film industry elevated this book above the mere clich filmmaking industry monograph.  This book is not just an inspiration, but a nuts-and-bolts guide that refuses to hide the ball.

Tanya frankly outlines what terms you should expect in your first development deal, and spells out exactly how to approach a distributor, and what content that distributor is likely to buy.

For example, after a basic description of film genres, the author gives a no-holds barred, cogent list of genres to avoid, the kind of tough-love that only a distributor can serve up to a filmmaker.  Better know it now than later...

How to Make Money Making Movies is worth reading.
4791413
I have read this book at least 5 times from cover to cover. The first time was about 25 years ago when I was preparing to direct music videos. When I began directing short films I read it again, and learned even more. And by the time I made my first feature film it had become like a second skin. The great thing about this book is that unlike so many books on directing that just outline the technical aspects of the job, this book talks about the psychological and political aspect of directing as well. The part about the political relationships between the director and the other crew members is especially interesting. Because Dmytryk came up through the Hollywood ranks during the era when directing was a craft as much as an art, he can talk with authority about the nature of lenses and their function in visually telling the story, script, dialogue,setting up shots,casting,tricks with the camera,who does what in the crew,working with actors etc. What I found extremely beneficial was his perception of the relationship the director can and should have with actors. This is one of the very few books I know of that talk about this subject in such a detailed and practical way. This little gem is a must read for any serious filmmaker.
2849471
"Shooting in the Wild" is a must read for both wildlife filmmakers and anyone who is a fan of watching wildlife programs/films.  This inside account is a great way to learn about what goes on behind the scenes and the ethics involved in creating a captivating show.  The chapters are easy to read and have a nice flow to them.  Each statement the author makes is backed by real life examples - told in an intriguing way, as opposed to a "state your case" type explanation.  I also really enjoyed reading about the evolution of wildlife filmmaking and learning about the pioneers of the genre.

As a filmmaker, I thought the author presented the basic pre-production steps with the most easy to understand, concise descriptions I've ever read in any filmmaking handbook.  The ethical questions raised, along with financing possibilities, and concerns about compromises with broadcasters, make this book an essential read for documentary filmmakers focused on any topic.
898686
Lloyd Kaufman's book "How to make your own damn movie" is one of the most entertaining books I have ever read on film making.  It is a must have for upcoming and idependent film makers today. Don't leave home with out it. I also recommend Lloyd Kaufman's movie box set "How to make your own damn movie."
3680597
Basically this book is for those that are either making a film, or considering making one and how to develop and protect oneself from various problems and red flags that will continually come up in the process. There are always choices along the way depending on the size of your production, but the bigger the production, the more potential problems that can come back to haunt you. Thats what this book is for. To help you get your project going as swimmingly as possible with minimal amount of setbacks as possible.

The writing is designed for those that don't understand lawyer-speak, or don't want to or have the time for it. It explains why some options are better than others, and when lawyers are even necessary and when they are not. The book is set up as a sort of "step-by-step" process from inception to completion to distribution of your film.

For me personally, I was not looking into making or marketing a film, so not every aspect of this book met my needs, however, working in the media world, I found it very helpful as a beginning point to have an idea of what I think I should do in regards to a start-up company.

It's definitely a good reference book to have on hand when I need it and I will certainly reference it at a future point as things come up for me. But someone who is looking to perhaps finance an independent film, it will probably be of immense value!
359337
The book is a very quick read. I read it in one sitting.  Simone Bartesaghi uses the 5 senses plus the elusive 6th sense (Literally and figurativly) to breakdown moviemaking which can help filmmakers understand and implement ways to tell a better story. He uses scenes from popular movies such as&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Close-Encounters-of-the-Third-Kind-Blu-ray/dp/B004HZY8OS/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Close Encounters of the Third Kind [Blu-ray</a>] and&nbsp;<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Alien/dp/B00498VS1E/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Alien</a>&nbsp;among others. I enjoyed the book but wish it delved a bit deeper. The information is quick and to the point, which I enjoyed. If you are new to filmmaking, or have made several movies, this book has some great advice to help you. It helps you get into a good thought process when creating your movie.

Review copy supplied by MWP
1498949
Absolute essential reading for screenwriters. Breaks down the structure of a successful screenplay and assists in overcoming problems in storytelling
228763
I am just beginning to think about changing careers and this book is the perfect introduction to filmmaking.  After reading it, I can speak intelligently about the major components that go into a film.  Sure, this is not overly detailed, but I don't want that.  I am not ready to make a movie now, but I now know what's involved.  If you don't know exactly what grips do or how much to pay unknown actors, this book is for you.  If you already have some exposure to filmmaking, buy something more detailed to take you to the next level.  For me, reading this book makes me understand what about films I might like to do, and what I don't want to do.  So I know where to aim my efforts.  If you think you can be a director and manage it all, this book gives some great tips for low and even ultra-low budget filmmakers.  If you're like me and realize you have little interest in certain filmmaking details and therefore DON'T want to direct, this book can help you narrow down a specialty to pursue.  This book is like learning the alphabet of filmmaking, everyone needs this basic knowledge, but it is definitely designed for the complete newcomer or those with minimal experience.
138384
There's a lot more to shooting than pointing the camera and pushing record. Cinematography is not a book for beginners, or even some novices, but if you're a professional (or want to be) this is a must-have.

The first third of the book covers the art of cinematography, framing and composition. It's well laid out with tons of good-sized color stills; many from actual movies you've seen, which is always a good touch.

The rest of the book is the craft of shooting, with all the technical details that comes with. All the details on core principles like lighting and focus to tips on more specialized situation like shooting on a green screen or underwater. The slew of tables and conversion charts might not be of much use to even the novice, but pros will want to have them flagged for easy reference.

The disc is a new one on me. It's an actual DVD you can play in a DVD player instead of just a collection of files, containing short tutorials on the basics of camera and grip work. If you're less experienced with cameras, you'll love this disc. Concepts like ISO and depth of field are much easier to absorb in a short video than any span of text. There's even a half-hour video behind the scenes of a basic film shoot, which can lend some great insight into what goes into a professional production.

If you're an aspiring professional this is a book to get, even if a fair bit might fly over your head. If you're on the fence about this book, the DVD alone is worth it.
1373213
Filmmaking for Teens:  Pulling Off Your Shorts

by Troy Lanier and Clay Nichols

Review by Pi Ware

Filmmaking for Teens:  Pulling Off Your Shorts is a great gift for a young filmmaker.  The book is concrete, fairly well organized, and written in a hip-and-now vernacular that will connect with the suburban teens of today (and sound utterly bizarre in about 7 years).  The authors, Troy Lanier and Clay Nichols, have an in-depth knowledge of filmmaking and great ability to distill this knowledge down to its bare essentials, which is all a teen filmmaker wants or needs.

Not only is this a good book for teenagers, but it's a great book for any first time filmmaker.  It may not be as exhaustive as Kim Adelman's instant classic, "The Ultimate Filmmaker's Guide to Short Films:  Making it Big in Shorts", but for that high school kid in your life who wants to "get into the business"--or for anyone who wants to learn the gritty, Do-It-Yourself ethic of no-budget indie filmmaking--this manual is a great place to start.

Assuming (correctly) that many teen readers will only read the first ten pages of the book, Lanier and Nichols start with a quick summary of how to make your first short and how to keep the project do-able for a teenager.  From there they take you through scripting, pre-production, production, and post, and then onto teen-themed festivals listed by deadline date.  Lanier and Nichols teach the basics of filmmaking in an easy-to-follow manner, including how to compose a shot, how to write in screenplay format and how to edit the movie once it's shot.  And the basics they teach are not lopsided opinions but, rather, they're the white hot core of filmmaking essentials.  Though the book's style may be too slanged-up and peppered with "attitude" for the smarter teenage crew, Filmmaking for Teens:  Pulling Off Your Shorts is a great how-to book for any ambitious movie geek.
4228970
This book focuses mainly on "Digital" filmmaking which is undoubtedly the way all films will be recorded in the future.

All aspects of making a movie are covered including the conceptual, pre-production phases.  It delves into screenwriting theory and how a screenplay is written, scripting, storyboarding.  It covers audo: how to connect mics to a DV camera and synchronize audio in postproduction; how to control sound levels.

Editing is covered, as well, examining the current offerings from Final Cut, Adobe, etc.  It starts with the most basic information and progresses to more advanced levels, so the beginner and advanced person will benefit.  It doesn't shy away from the technical, yet it is very readable too, which is unusual for this type of book.

Comprehensive, well written, useful book.
4876009
This is a fantastic book.  The book explains many visual tools used to make better films.  I can't recommend this enough.  Take your films from an amatuer level to professional level.  Helps you to build great visual style.
2190858
Myrl Schreibman's "Indie Producer's Handbook" is a great resource for independent film producers.  It walks you through each and every step essential to producing and doesn't leave any stones unturned.  I found it particularly helpful in the beginning stages of producing my most recent project and it helped me be very cautious in certain areas -- in particular watching out for sound issues.  My favorite quotes from the book are:

"What the producer fails to do in development will affect pre-production , what the project fails to do in pre-production affects production and what the project fails to do in production affects post-production --all of which will affect the end result."

AND simply put..."Trust your instincts..."

This book is definitely a must have!

~Candice Afia