The Must-Have iMovie book -- a bit outdated though
591885
First I have to give props to David Pogue and his Missing Manual series. As a bookseller and computer geek I've long favored the Dummies books as the best entry-level source for third-party information on software. However, O'Reilly made a smart move when they turned their attention on that market and grabbed Dummies standby Pogue to headline the new series. The Missing Manuals (and their mutant-dogcow mascot) are a credit to O'Reilly and a must-have... assuming, that is, that they cover the program you need. The series is still too small, but I'm sure it won't stay that way.
Now, to the book itself. If you need to do something with iMovie, it's in there. That pretty much covers what I need to say in this review, but it doesn't cover everything the book has to offer. Remember back in the 80s when the Mac made desktop publishing a reality, only to unleash a torrent of wretchedly amateurish graphic design? Well, Pogue spends much of the first couple of chapters attempting to prevent that from happening. This book starts off with a very basic primer on video production and how to use your equipment -- assumed to be a typical consumer-grade MiniDV camcorder, but it covers other options as well, particularly video bridges and the like.
The meat of the book discusses iMovie 2's capabilities, including discussions of its weaknesses and how to work around them. Effects, titles, and transitions are discussed in detail, including some useful information on crossfades (never fade straight to black -- instead, you want a black stillframe). Conversion to other formats is also an issue, and a significant part of the book discusses postproduction using QuickTime Pro. Directions are given for converting your work for DVD or VCD as well.
The issue I have with the book is largely its focus on iMovie in MacOS Classic, and the bugs that are present in that version that might not be in the OS X version. Screenshots all come from 9.x, with the only Aqua material being the interface of iMovie itself. I don't mark down for this since the program operates more or less the same, but an inexperienced user may have trouble. (I might note as well that the book works just as well for iMovie 3, which has a superficially different interface but handles more or less identically.)
So, yeah. If you're doing video production on iMovie, this is the book to get, hands down.
603845
I had this book in 1978 when I bought my first kayak. Much of it today is terribly outdated as far as the equipment is concerned.  The basics are still relevant such as paddling techniques etc.  I bought it strictly as a nostalgic thing.  I love it but I'm sure there are newer, more relevant books out there.
1726435
Book identifies when/where good photo opportunities are in Yosemite, but was written in 2000 from film perspective. As such the photography advice is of limited value in today's digital world. Author Frye remains a prominent Yosemite photographer, and could upgrade this book to address both film and digital photography techniques.

A much better current choice published in 2010 is "Photographing Yosemite Digital Field Guide" by Lewis Kemper. Has excellent advice on choices of lenses at recommended photo locations, exposure techniques, and time of day to get best sunrise, sunset, and full moon shots.  Includes good maps of recommended shooting locations. Very nicely illustrated with sample photos.
132252
iMovie 6 & IDVD: The Missing Manual is not what I consider David
Pogue's best work. It is a bit off the mark, spending a great deal of
time on issues related to camcorders to the detriment of the applications.
I would prefer a manual, missing or otherwise, that would apply David's
considerable knowledge and communication ability to the topic.
1690684
Maltin will no longer publish his movie guide.  Too much free stuff out there, he can't compete with free, he says.
  This e-book is not unlike having the real book: you get the main actors, the year it was made, a rating and of course a synopsus of the movie.
One thing I found helpful in the book was the "Index of Stars" but is not on the e-book and may not be in the new print book either.  I hve not seen the book.
  If you have your Kendle with you everywhere you go, it's still a good movie reference place.  Of course, over the years it too will become obsolete as there will be no more updates but you will have a reference place for what will become old movies.
  Carry the book or carry your Kendle, it boils down to what is convienent for you.
Emmett Gibson
2584906
If you work with iMovie and just wish you could do more to get your videos just like you imagine them, this book will get you there. The book if full of examples and includes a CD so that you can learn the techniques involved to obtain the effects you want. I also found the book inspired me to be even more creative, as it offered ideas that I hadn't considered.
The book is clearly written with step by step illustrated examples. You don't have to read the whole book to start using it effectively. Just find an effect similar to what you want to do and work through the example to find out how it is done. Then you can apply the technique to your own iMovie projects.
17720
I thoroughly enjoyed this guide as well as Jay's 1001 movies guide and was curious if anyone knew whether or not an updated edition was being worked on (a la the improved 5th anniversary edition of the 1001 movies guide)?  There's definitely a couple of errors, and I'm sure he's gotten feedback on how to make this guide even more thorough, informative and relevant. Thanks!
3560850
I bought this book by Brian Smith a year after I bought The Sony a7 and a7R: The Unofficial Quintessential Guide by Matsumoto and Roullard. The Matsumoto-Roullard book is a good technical guide to the a7 cameras that I found very useful. I have frequently visited to Brian Smith's website for information about lenses for the a7, and decided to buy his book--this book--for a refresher on the sophisticated camera that I bought more than a year ago.

I am very grateful to the author for the care he has taken in writing this book. He is a fabulous photographer and ties each camera function to his own craft in a way that gives extra information and direction about each subject, each control, each wheel and button. The Matsumoto-Roullard book is competent and technical, but it does leave you on your own. Brian Smith's book provides more depth and guidance to the user. I am a recreational photographer who switched to the a7 after 40 years using Nikons, from the FTN in the 1960's to D1X in 2001, when it first came out. I found both these books to be useful in becoming competent in the Sony technology and use of the Sony a7 menus. But Brian Smith's writing on the subject makes me feel as though I am part of a small seminar, learning the camera and learning how to be a better photographer. Thank you, Brian.
428856
I have to confess I haven't yet read the book.  I am thinking about purchasing it, BUT . . .  what I really want to do is to create sophisticated slideshows with photographic images (still shots) I have taken.  Does iMovie offer anything that the simple slideshow in iPhoto and/or Lightroom doesn't?  If it doesn't, does anybody know what software for the Mac produces slide shows with transitions, looping music, differentially timed frames and so on?  Appreciate any insight you can give.
571616
The Sony manual lists all the options, but lacks the explanation and context for what they actually do and why they're important (or not). This book fills in some of these gaps - e.g. what the DRO options actually do, differences between various movie modes, and so on. A useful companion for everyone who wants to get the most out of their a7(R). That said, note that it doesn't cover the latest camera versions (a7R ii) and its capabilities; let's hope that an update is in the works.
1602004
I bought years ago this amazing Encyclopedia of Cinema, and it performs perfectly in Windows XP, thank God. Its use is as easy as Encarta's, and you can find everything about movie world (films reviews, biographies...). It is a multimedia product, with photos, music, dialogues, videos... Although it focuses in the USA, it includes international production too.
 I don't understand why Microsoft stopped publishing it in 1996. I suppose it was "too good" for the market, and that books' merchants thought it was a heavy competitor.
 I would pay a lot of money very happy if Microsoft produces a new version.
 Another option would be to integrate it with Encarta, as they did with "Encarta Africana". Marvelous dream.
 Anyway, if someone knows an electronic product similar to Cinemania, please let me know (albert2608@hotmail.com).
4425667
David Pogue and his team of technical writers and illustrators have done what Apple should have done in the first place. However, in retrospect I doubt seriously that the folks at Apple could have done better in explaining or illustrating the components of iMovie '11. The "Missing Manual" is a must-have textbook in order to make iMovie '11 perform related to its features and benefits.
Neil Hays
4174492
This is an informative and engaging book that conveys a high level overview of independent film production.  The advice given is the type of advice you'd get if you had a friend "in the business" who was telling you everything they've learned about the craft.  It doesn't go into extraordinary detail, but contains much conventional wisdom.

The book I purchased was published in 2001, and while it was written at the cusp of the "digital age", the information related to the skill/craft/wisdom is relevant regardless of the advances in technology.  In short, the technological information is outdated (equipment, media, pricing examples).  If you can ignore references to tech circa 2001, I would recommend this book to anyone who needs a good introductory overview of independent film production. I found it easy to read and it helpded me to expand my understanding of the craft from "a guy and a camera" to "a full production cycle"
3384790
This book is a bit much for beginners, as I am.  On the other hand, it is an excellent resource for those who have had at least some experience in the software.

I had fun reading through the book in spite of being overwhelmed on occasion.  The book looks at Flash in terms of making a movie, with camera angles, lighting, plot, and effects that one would consider if one was indeed making a movie, especially an animated one.  There are hundreds of photos and screen-like prints illustrating the various techniques discussed in the book.

I especially prized the ideas presented that touched on coherent story-telling and plot development.  Too many movies, ad campaigns and animation are heavy on the special effects, and light on story making.  While effects can be important, storyline is the most important factor in effectively presenting an interesting topic, and holding the audience's attention.

Recommended, especially for experienced Flash users.  But, really, anyone with a desire to learn more about movie-making would enjoy this book.  The quality of printing and the illustrations are top-notch.  Four stars for 'Flash Cinematic Techniques'.
3772311
This book covers everything you need from the technical aspects of setting up shots and planning your action.  It uses storyboards as an effective teaching device to convey the basic and some more advanced concepts and does a better job than most of explaining the 180 degree rule.  Negative reviews of this book state that it is too focused on the technical aspects of filmmaking and not as much on the people skills needed, which is true, but can a book really teach you how to talk to people?  A great addition to any filmmaking library but would need resources for the non-technical aspects of film.  You could make a great looking film based just on what is in this book, but it might not be the most thrilling.  The writer does a good job of focusing on the work and not in telling his own stories.
2098421
Don't let anybody fool you, it is a great book.  But it is short, a bit old now that there are several new excellent books out, and yet it is also a classic.  Whether you are into Shaolin or not, there is information in here for you.  But, be forewarned, this book was made before the techniques for self-publication were improved, and the imagery and format are old.  The diagrams, at the time, were some of the best you could find, but now with the advent of search engine revolution, students have the ability to find much more technical diagrams.
There is some good information still in the book that is not found anywhere else.  But, as it was published in 1995, and no revision seems likely, it will continue to be missing some of the most up to date information on advanced internal styles.
If people give this book less than a 3, they are either viewing out of context of the time it was made, or they have an agenda, plain and simple.
It's a good book, worth your money.  You do not have to worry about supplying GMT with money, it's primarily eaten up by the publishers, he gets practically nothing for it.  Just another example of something he did for the world, and look at how people have repaid him?  Shameful.
4886082
About 1982-1985 I took four film criticism classes in college, and although I enjoyed seeing the films, I really learned very little, largely because the textbook (I don't recall the title) was virtually worthless.  This book is much more informative about evaluative and scientific approaches to film  It honestly admits numerous times that evaluation is partly subjective.  It gives numerous references to other books that one could read in order to pursue the subject further.  It is useful to me in naming many films worth seeing (almost all of which are now available on DVD).  Its main weakness is its 1989 copyright date, which means it is outdated.