An Online Magazine dedicated to production and promotion of independent films. |
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Recent Books and DVDs on Filmmaking and Screenwriting |
Cinematography
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Visions of Light - DVDExperience the dazzling story of cinematography as seen through the lenses of the world's greatest filmmakers and captured in classic scenes from over 125 immortal movies. Discover Gordon Willis's secrets of lighting Marlon Brando in The Godfather and Greg Toland's contributions to Citizen Kane. Hear William Fraker on filming Rosemary's Baby, Vittorio Storaro on his use of color and light in Apocalypse Now and much, much more. From black and white to Technicolor, silent to "talkie," glittering Hollywood musical to film noir and art film to blockbuster, this critically acclaimed masterpiece presents movies in a new and unforgettable light! |
Light Keeps Me Company - DVDTwice an Oscar winner and considered one of the foremost cinematographers in the history of film, Sven Nykvist is best known for his work with Ingmar Bergman. Together they created some of the most important films of modern cinema. Despite a tumultuous personal life that included the tragic suicide of his oldest son and a sweeping love affair with Mia Farrow, Nykvist's passion for his craft did not fade as he directed films and collaborated on projects with filmmakers such as Woody Allen, Louis Malle, Andrei Tarkovsky, Roman Polanski and many others. Light Keeps Me Company offers an intimate and moving look at the life of legendary Swedish cinematographer. Film clips, rare home movies, family photographs, and behind-the-scenes footage are interwoven with interviews featuring an array of film legends who've worked with him over the years. |
Cinematography -- ScreencraftPeter Ettedgui, 1998, ISBN 0-240-80382-5 Cinematography is the first title in the SCREENCRAFT series, a unique venture which aims to unravel for the first time the multi-layered language of film-making, by exploring the fusion of crafts which combine to create the most important art form of the 20th century. The 17 cinematographers featured in this title encompass three generations of film-making and represent a diversity of film cultures. What they have in common is the contribution they have made to a universal cinema heritage and the fact that their work has helped to expand - if not revolutionize - the language of film. |
Digital Filmmaking |
Digital MoviemakingScott Billups, 2000, ISBN 0-941-18830-2 The future of cinema lies in the power of the pixel. The injection of fresh ideas and methodologies will serve to mix up the metaphorical gene pool and empower a new generation of filmmakers. Digital Moviemaking is destined to become the industry bible for those who arlready embraced the digital technology as a new and more affordable way of storytelling and an eye-opener for those who are still intimidated by the process. |
Producing Great Sound for Digital VideoJay Rose, 2000, ISBN 0-879-30597-5 Producing Great Sound for Digital Video educates beginning and experienced filmmakers on the intricacies of creating an outstanding soundtrack. Critical issues such as preproduction planning, the art of production and recording (including environmental factors and microphone setups), and post-production editing and effects are discussed. Inexpensive computers capable of capturing and playing back high-quality digital video, and full-featured editing software offer all kinds of ways to create visual eye candy, but embryonic filmmakers don't always realize that the picture is only half the story. Producing Great Sound for Digital Video explains how the other half works, what to watch out for, and how to achieve professional results. |
Placing Shadows --
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The Search for "Reality" --
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Making Documentary Films and Reality VideosBarry Hampe, 1997, ISBN 0-8050-4451-5 Making Documentary Films and Reality Videos is the first book to tell why making a documentary looks easy but isn't. Author Hampe traces two main approaches to documentary - recording behavior and re-creating past events - and shows how to be successful at each. Covering all the steps in making a documentray from conceptualization to completion, with chapters on visual evidence; documentary ethics; why reality is not enough; budgeting; and cast, crew and equipment selection, this book can help you successfully bring to life the documentary you want to make. |
Directing the DocumentaryMichael Rabiger, 1998, ISBN 0-240-80270-5 The Third Edition of this classic, Directing the Documentary, like the previous two, guides the reader through the process of making a work for the screen. This includes the real problems of researching and focusing a documentary film or video idea, of developing a crew, of directing the crew and participants, and of maintaining control during shooting. It guides the reader through the complex evolutionary process of post-production, when the film's true characteristics can really begin to emerge and assert themselves. Up-to-date with examples of significant new films and new projects, it is written in conversational, non-technical language, treating the reader as a colleague in search of clearly explained knowledge. The author, a veteran filmmaker and teacher shares anecdotes from his own professional experience where they usefully illustrate ideas, principles, or pitfalls. |
General |
What They Didn't Teach You In Film School --
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How Much Joy Can You Stand --
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The Ultimate Film Festival Survival GuideChris Gore, 1999, ISBN 1-58065-009-0 This comprehensive and eye-opening guide is jam packed with information for filmmakers and film lovers alike. The Ultimate Film Festival reveals how to get a film accepted and what to do after the acceptance, from putting together a press kit to putting on a great party to actually close the deal. The Ultimate Film Festival include a comprehensive listing of over 500 Film Festivals to enter with travel tips and contact information. |
Music for Film |
Getting the Best Score for Your FilmDavid Bell, 1994, ISBN 1-879505-20-7 This is a must read for every filmmaker who intends to use music in a film. Bell gives great advice on choosing a composer, communicating with the composer, doing recording sessions and much more. He details the functions of a music supervisor and music editor, stressing the importance of these in creating a successful, marketable film and soundtrack. A quick read at only 108 pages, but a book you'll want to read several times. |
The Reel World: Scoring for PicturesJeff Rona, 2000, ISBN 0-87930-591-6 Written by one of Hollywood's top up-and-coming composers, this how-to guide takes you inside the world of creating music for film. Rona focuses on the composer's key concerns: ensuring musical aesthetics, using the most effective technology and techniques, and understanding the business side of film scoring. Packed with detailed case studies, insider's tips, and lots of philosophy, this book lets you learn by example. |
Film Music -- ScreencraftMark Russell and James Young, 2000, ISBN 0-240-80441-4 Film Music is the third title in the SCREENCRAFT series, a unique venture which aims to unravel the multi-layered language of film-making by exploring each of the crafts which combine to make a film through the eyes of its leading parctitioners. The work by the 13 film composers featured in this title spans six decades and charts the development of film composition in the 20th century. In their own words, they convey their approach to this precise and complex art, and describe their musical sensibilities. The interviews are accompanied by film stills and some of their own scores, as well as a CD containing one major theme for each composer featured. |
Pre & Post-Production |
Setting Up Your Shots --
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From Word to Image --
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In the Blink of an Eye --
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Screenplays and Screenwriting |
How NOT to Write A Screenplay --
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Good Scripts Bad Scripts --
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Which Lie Did I Tell? --
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