Showing posts with label cinematography. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cinematography. Show all posts

Channels of Discourse, Reassembled: Television and Contemporary Criticism Review

Channels of Discourse, Reassembled: Television and Contemporary Criticism
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Channels of Discourse, Reassembled: Television and Contemporary Criticism ReviewIn a critical writing course I taught in Spring 2002, I used Channels of Discourse, Reassembled as the core text for the course readings. The many chapters within are written by the best of the best in the fields of media studies and cultural studies, and the methodologies are presented in an easy-to-read manner which is informative and full of examples and case studies. This is an excellent book for media studies students, as its chapters lay out the basic information they should know about many of the methodologies often used in media criticism.Channels of Discourse, Reassembled: Television and Contemporary Criticism OverviewChannels of Discourse fills a significant gap in the critical literature on television. The eight distinguished scholars whose essays make up the collection consider commercial televisionin relation to the major strands of contemporary literary, cultural and cinematic criticism.

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Gaffers, Grips and Best Boys: From Producer-Director to Gaffer and Computer Special Effects Creator, a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Who Does What in the Making of a Motion Picture Review

Gaffers, Grips and Best Boys: From Producer-Director to Gaffer and Computer Special Effects Creator, a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Who Does What in the Making of a Motion Picture
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Gaffers, Grips and Best Boys: From Producer-Director to Gaffer and Computer Special Effects Creator, a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Who Does What in the Making of a Motion Picture ReviewAs far as I know there are two books on the subject, the other being William E. Hines' "Job Descriptions for Film, Video & CGI". From those two this book is certainly more prosa. Every major field of movie production is described through kind of essays written from industry insiders. Although the book is by no means an encyclopedia, the reader gets a good idea what those jobs really are about. If you want some insights instead of concise descriptions, buy this book.Gaffers, Grips and Best Boys: From Producer-Director to Gaffer and Computer Special Effects Creator, a Behind-the-Scenes Look at Who Does What in the Making of a Motion Picture Overview

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3-D Movies: A History and Filmography of Stereoscopic Cinema (McFarland classics) Review

3-D Movies: A History and Filmography of Stereoscopic Cinema (McFarland classics)
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3-D Movies: A History and Filmography of Stereoscopic Cinema (McFarland classics) ReviewThe first part of this book covers the historic aspects of Stereoscopic film making and is well written and interesting but the majority of the book is a reference guide to 3D movies. It is a great reference guide for anyone interested in 3D movies but it is not the greated book if you are looking for an in depth historical look at this genre. If you are a true 3D movie fan, this book is an indespensable reference.3-D Movies: A History and Filmography of Stereoscopic Cinema (McFarland classics) Overview

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Production Design and Art Direction (Screencraft Series) Review

Production Design and Art Direction (Screencraft Series)
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Production Design and Art Direction (Screencraft Series) ReviewTexts on Production Design are just plain fun to read. When I received this text I looked with great anticipation at the big white space and contemporary layout on the cover. Turning that first page, and the second page, and third to see more, and more, white space, accompanied by extremely small print and small reproductions of rare conceptual drawings, storyboards, photos and architectual drawings from films designed by 16 masters of their craft, was a disappointment.
Compared to books like "Hollywood: Legend and Reality" Edited by Michael Webb, from the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, which also had rarely seen drawings and photos, the visual layout and design lacked impact and clarity. Print within the storyboards, often important clues to how the scene was shot, is hard to read.
Ettedgui's beautiful book is an illustrated interview book, but the interviews prove anecdotal more than educational.
Compared to the Text: "Film Design", compiled by Terence St. John Marner, part of The London Film School Series, 1974, the explanation of how production design was technically done on individual films was meager.
In "By Design, Interviews with Film Production Designers", LoBrutto knows what questions to ask in interviews with 20 masters of their craft to relay meaningful information about how the film industry, as well as these designers, work. Ettedgui's work cannot compare in content to LoBrutto's.
As an independent reviewer, I review books on the filmmaking craft for what they can help you learn about the craft on your own. This is a beautiful book. If your eyesight is 20/20 or better you might not even mind the small print, but once past the intial oh-oh, ah-ah of the size, design and layout of this large text, the content rates not much more than 3 Stars.
Pamela Jean Curry, Film Director in Training at Film Studio Faux,Parody of Motion Picture Film Studio Training.Production Design and Art Direction (Screencraft Series) OverviewIn Production Design and Art Direction sixteen of the world's greatest production designers discuss their craft, revealing the creative process which led to the look of the most memorable films of our time.Contributors include Dean Tavoularis (Godfather Trilogy), Dante Ferretti (whose work with Fellini, Pasolini and Scorsese covers the span of the best of Italian cinema) and Anna Asp (Fanny and Alexander).As aesthetically appealing as any art book, Production Design and Art Direction is densely illustrated with drawings, scripts, storyboards and models, as well as stills from the films. This book is part of the Screencraft series, which includes the enormously successful Cinematography, also by Peter Ettedgui and published by Focal Press in the US. The text is based on the words of 16 masters of the craftBeautifully produced and lavishly illustrated with drawings, scripts, storyboards, models and stills from memorable filmsPart of the Screencraft series, the first books to explore the crafts of filmmaking by tracing the entire creative process through the eyes of leading practitioners

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Pre-Production Planning for Video, Film, and Multimedia Review

Pre-Production Planning for Video, Film, and Multimedia
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Pre-Production Planning for Video, Film, and Multimedia ReviewMr. Cartwright's book is a excellent teaching text for high school or college students studying video and multimedia production. It does a great job of taking the beginner through all of the steps needed to ensure a successful production.
However, one can't help overlook that a text written four years ago on this subject is LONG overdue for a new edition.
Many software applications that are referred to as "soon to be released" are now in their 3rd or 4th version. Likewise, the hardware section of the book is terribly behind the times, as their is virtually no mention of digital video cameras, digital capture cards, current generation non-linear editing systems, or DVD.
Also disappointing was the 3.5" disc that's included, which contains all of the forms in the book. The disc is specially formatted so that it cannot be read on a Macintosh-which CAN read any commonly formatted PC diskette! Instead the publisher encourages Mac users to send in the PC disk and receive a Mac disk at no charge. Why not just use the standard 1.4mb formatting for a PC disk and let users of either platform access the material? Or better yet, just put the forms on a hybrid CD-ROM. This is especially irksome to Mac devotees, when practically all of the computers pictured in the book doing video editing are Macs!
Yet, despite its need for a new edition to address the latest and greatest in hardware and software, and its platform specific floppy, Pre-Production and Planning for Video, Film and Multimedia will serve as a valuable resource for those new to the pre and post production arena, as much of the planning and organizational approaches in the text never go out of style!Pre-Production Planning for Video, Film, and Multimedia OverviewThe key to a project's ultimate success is good planning.This unique new book shows how to prepare for the myriad of steps required to execute production and post production of a video, film or multimedia project.Cartwright explains in detail how to save money and time in production and post-production, yet produce a quality program with high production values.The craft of production planning is explained through a comprehensive system.The production steps are all there, enhanced with graphs of the production process, production forms, photos and a comprehensive list of production resources along with a chapter devoted to the use of computers for the production and post-production process.The techniques of planning for success are easily applied to both traditional linear program development to interactive multimedia development for all types of programs, including communications, training, marketing, corporate news and teleconferencing.Pre-Production Planning for Video, Film and Multimedia also includes 30 planning, production and post-production forms that can be accessed on an accompanying complimentary disk (for both IBM compatibles or Mac).Steve R. Cartwright is president of Cartwright & Associates, a training and communications company, and co-owner of the Motion Graphics Company, a computer graphics and animation firm.A leading producer, consultant and instructor, Cartwright is author of Training with Video and Secrets of Successful Video Programs.A comprehensive system for pre-production planning for video, film and multimedia.Includes a detailed description of the production and post-production processes.A disk with useful forms is also included.

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Techniques of Special Effects of Cinematography (Library of Communication Techniques, Film) Review

Techniques of Special Effects of Cinematography (Library of Communication Techniques, Film)
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Techniques of Special Effects of Cinematography (Library of Communication Techniques, Film) ReviewFor many years, Raymond Fielding's "Techniques of Special Effects Cinematography" was the quintessential "how'd they do that?" manual for the field of Visual Effects. Apart from back issues of American Cinematographer magazine, if you lived outside the Los angeles area, this was your best source of info on everything from stop-motion and front screen projection to matte paintings and miniatures.
Since many of the techniques in the book are now accomplished digitally, it makes this book a great film HISTORY book as well. But even still, for the filmmaker who wants to utilize tried & true, old school effects techniques (out of curiosity, artistic choice or necessity) this is THE book that covers it all. My only reason for giving it 4 out of 5 stars, is the lack of info on Digital Effects and CGI.Techniques of Special Effects of Cinematography (Library of Communication Techniques, Film) Overview

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Inventing The Movies: Hollywood's Epic Battle Between Innovation And The Status Quo, From Thomas Edison To Steve Jobs Review

Inventing The Movies: Hollywood's Epic Battle Between Innovation And The Status Quo, From Thomas Edison To Steve Jobs
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Inventing The Movies: Hollywood's Epic Battle Between Innovation And The Status Quo, From Thomas Edison To Steve Jobs ReviewOver the past several years, especially since he wrote a definitive article on the topic for Esther Dyson's Release 1.0, Scott Kirsner has become to go-to guy for insight about where digital entertainment is going. He's got more contacts than a dozen beat reporters and more new ideas than a dozen thought leaders. Inventing the Movies taught this media-watcher quite a bit and even the asides are bet you didn't know there's a brand of makeup called blu_ray. Anyone who wants a firm grounding in the never-ending wars between new ideas and entrenched attitudes should read this.Inventing The Movies: Hollywood's Epic Battle Between Innovation And The Status Quo, From Thomas Edison To Steve Jobs OverviewFrom Edison to the iPod, from the Warner Brothers to George Lucas, the story of how the movies became America's favorite form of escapist entertainment - and retained their hold on our imaginations for more than a century - is a story of innovators prevailing again and again over skeptics who prefer to preserve the status quo. Inventing the Movies unspools the never-before-told story of the innovators who shaped Hollywood: how a chance meeting at the Saratoga Race Track led to the end of black-and-white movies ... how Bing Crosby brought you the VCR ... how Walt Disney tamed television ... how a shotgun blast signaled the end of hand-made models and the beginning of digital special effects ... and how even the almighty Morgan Freeman had trouble persuading theater-owners that the Internet wasn't their mortal enemy. Inventing the Movies is an important read not just for fans of Hollywood's history, but for innovators trying to make change happen in any industry.

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Raindance Producers' Lab Lo-To-No Budget Filmmaking Review

Raindance Producers' Lab Lo-To-No Budget Filmmaking
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Raindance Producers' Lab Lo-To-No Budget Filmmaking ReviewThe book touched on all the challenges of indie filmmaking in a clear and concise way. He discussed what areas you should focus on and what areas you can spend less money and time while still getting a great film as your final product. Elliott explored the psyche of the indie filmmaker too by bringing his own easy to understand explanations of why things work the way they do.
His anecdotes really help explain why things work the way they do on low budget productions. He is gifted at giving you insights into the small things you can change that show big improvements on camera. This book eases your mind about not having enough money to make your film. And hopefully give you the courage to put your film out there.
I recommend that any filmmaker who has little or no money buy this book. With Elliot's expertise, you can gain value insights into telling the story that you want.
Raindance Producers' Lab Lo-To-No Budget Filmmaking Overview

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Make the Cut: A Guide to Becoming a Successful Assistant Editor in Film and TV Review

Make the Cut: A Guide to Becoming a Successful Assistant Editor in Film and TV
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Make the Cut: A Guide to Becoming a Successful Assistant Editor in Film and TV Review
I found this to be a hard review to write. Normally I pick up a book after reading its title and figure that it will include something that will interest me. I read the title to the instant book and figured the contents would include information about what a skilled film editor needs to know to be good at his job. Basically I expected to read a book that would help me understand "how to stock footage, sound effects (SFX), music (MX), visual effects (VFX or VIZFX), automatic dialog replacement (ADR), onlining, protecting network/studio assets, and even organizing the office space." [see page 3 of book]. I also expected to learn about being "responsible for paperwork systems, project settings and organization, digitizing, import/export/file transfer procedures, logging, media storage, backup technologies and procedures." [id]. Unfortunately I did not get what I expected. Instead I was stuck reading a career guide for someone considering getting a degree in filmmaking or who has sufficient technical training to skip such schooling.
Sometimes I give a very low star rating to a book that is guilty of bait and switch. Sometimes I don't. It really depends on the mood I find myself in when sitting down to write my review. I have put off writing this review for over a month now. So if I cannot find some good qualities in it, then I should have written a killer review a month ago, i.e, 1-star.
The authors have been involved in filmmaking for a long time now - more than 30 years each I think I read. I got the feeling they are kind of old and by writing this book they were "giving back" so younger people could successfully follow in their footsteps. The authors are freelancers. They work on projects and when one projects ends they go without work for a bit until another project comes along. In the book they explain how a recent graduate of filmmaking school needs to get an intern position under a film editor. Such jobs usually are performed without pay, but they enable you to eventually get hired as an assistant film editor - i.e., chief bottle washer under a full-fledged film editor. Interestingly we are told you have to be an assistant before you can become a full-fledger. However, one of the full-fledgers interviewed at the end of the book said he had no technical skills and couldn't do what an assistant does if his life depended on it. So I got conflicting messages from this book.
If I were interested in learning about how to get an internship, then get gigs as an assistant editor, and finally get recognized as a full-fledged editor, then I would have been very happy to read this book. It explains that there is a lot of pro bono work provided by the wanta-be assistant editor. There is a lot of effort required to be expended in order to appear to be skilled and competent and willing to go the extra mile. All in all, I though someone would have to be crazy to want to be a film editor in the filmmaking business. It reminded me of my days trying to find my way in the legal profession as an attorney. What a racket!
Much of what we are told is common practice in any project management setting. There are the managers with authority, and then there are the worker bees doing all the real work for little or no pay. By the way, why wasn't compensation mentioned more in this book? After all, money is why people pursue a career and this book is certainly a career guide.
This book included 16 chapters that were divided among 4 parts or sections. The subject headings for the "parts" did not really help me follow the book too well. And it seemed absurd to group 9 of the 16 chapters in a part called "Getting Started."
Since this book is a career guide I think it should have had a few less chapters in the first part of the book. I think there should have been a "part" that covered filmmaking schools and degree programs. And there certainly should have been some coverage of the technical training that could be substituted for a filmmaking degree before a person sought an internship.
So the book is mistitled. It covers a bunch of interesting stuff for a career guide, but it fails to cover all the bases that should be covered in a good career guide. So I can't say I loved or liked this book. But I didn't dislike or hate it, either. So what is left, a 3-star rating? The book is just OK.Make the Cut: A Guide to Becoming a Successful Assistant Editor in Film and TV Overview
Being a successful editor is about more than just knowing how to operate a certain piece of software, or when to make a certain transition. On the contrary, there are many unwritten laws and a sense of propriety that are never discussed or taught in film schools or in other books.

Based on their own experiences, first as upcoming assistant editors, then as successful Hollywood editors, the authors guide you through the ins and outs of establishing yourself as a respectedfilm and video editor.

Insight is included on an array of technical issues such as script breakdown, prepping for sound effects, organizing camera and sound reports, comparison timings,assemply footages and more. In addition, they also provide first-hand insight into industry protocol, providing tips on interviewing, etiquette, career planning and more, information you simply won't find in any other book.The book concludes with a chapter featuring Q+A sessions with various established Hollywood editors about what they expect from their assistant editors.

* Cutting insight and tested tipsfrom 2 established Hollywood editors (combined credits include Cesar Milan: Dog Whisperer, The Simple Life, The Shield, Dawson's Creek) will have you on the path to being a successful assistant editor in no time * Includes discussions with some of the top editors in the industry, sharing their views on what they expect from their assistants in the editing suite * Offers technical info such as the intricacies of digitizing and breaking down a script, as well as practical knowledge on topics like interview preparation and industry ettiquette


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The Vatican to Vegas: The History of Special Effects Review

The Vatican to Vegas: The History of Special Effects
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The Vatican to Vegas: The History of Special Effects ReviewNot only students and scholars of the history of art, architecture, film, animation, western culture can rejoice at the publication of Norman Klein's epic and illuminating history of special effects illusionism, from the 17th century to the present. This book also promises delight to the common reader interested and engaged with the peculiar culture our times. As spectacle morphs to ever stranger forms, Klein offers an invaluable set of tools for analyzing, understanding, critiquing and surviving its massive leveling wash.
Klein's thesis, that large-scale special effects consistently function within a dialectic of political power and powerlessness, not only newly opens important influential fields for his spectacular research and interdisciplinary penetrations, but delights, in a rich and novelistic narrative,sparkling with brilliant characters (Ben Jonson, Mary Shelley, Edgar A. Poe, Charles Babbage, Jules Verne, George W. Bush) and bubbling over with cascading, interconnected information. The writer also lays bare his own private history, how special effects intervened in his Coney Island Youth and his Los Angeles adulthood, as a useful, literary casestudy. Special Effects emerges not simply as a hegemonic tool of repression but as a perplexing and evolving field of invention, influence and ambitious expression still as liable to charm as depress.
In particular, Klein's research on the history of technology was of particular use and interest to me. But the book serves happily, with its brilliantly organized index and "search engine" as a hand-book of effects history and theory in all disciplines. Klein crosses boudaries between history, theory, sociology and literature, offering important new realizations without ever overlooking, or short-shrifting the achievements of scholars dedicated to those particular fields. Vatican to Vegas, indeed, offers a brilliant example of the promise that interdisciplinary engagement offers writers of the future. I haven't read Klein before, but I'm telling you, I'll start now.
I won't start praising the pictures, though they're fascinating.
Buy this book and nail it to your desk or bedside table. In our current "Electronic Baroque" (a key Kleinian term), it grows more and more relevant every day.The Vatican to Vegas: The History of Special Effects Overview

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Filming the Fantastic, Second Edition: A Guide to Visual Effects Cinematography Review

Filming the Fantastic, Second Edition: A Guide to Visual Effects Cinematography
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Filming the Fantastic, Second Edition: A Guide to Visual Effects Cinematography ReviewWow! It covers enough information on the current art of special effects to give the neophyte an excellent overview of what's possible and for the professional to accomplish.
This book is going on my shelf next to Raymond Fielding's The Techniques of Special Effects Cinematography, Bernard Wilkie's Creating Special Effects for TV & Film, Special Effects in Motion Pictures by Frank P. Clark and Bernard Wilkie's The Technique of Special Effects in Television. The huge advantage for Mark's book is that it brings the classic techniques into the digital age. It is full of Illustrations and photos that serve his text well.
Mark's experience from decades of personal and notable professional work is evident from the real world solutions he offers. His personal anecdotes and techical instructions give the reader useful and practical knowledge of a wide variety of techniques.
What I liked is the appreciation and references to the great masters of effects like Willis O'Brien and Albert Whitlock and many others.
Mark Sawicki knows his stuff and presents it for the curious and the advanced film maker.
Well done. I highly recommend this book. A must for Effects Artists everywhere. I kid you not!Filming the Fantastic, Second Edition: A Guide to Visual Effects Cinematography Overview
Don't waste valuable time and budget fixing your footage in post! Shoot the effects you want effectively and creatively the first time. This full-color step-by step guide to visual effects cinematography empowers you to plan out and execute visual effects shots on a budget, without falling into the common pitfall of using high-end computer graphics to "fix it in post," which can be an expensive, drawn out process. Instead, learn how to put your shots together before you start shooting-whether you're working in digital or film. Learn how to effectively photograph and create miniatures, matte paintings, green screen set ups, crowd replication, digital rear projection, and so much more to create elements that will composite together flawlessly.

The main purpose of effects is to promote the story, not just to wow an audience with amazing tricks created digitally. This book describes methods for creating seamless effects that don't call attention to themselves but enhance the scene as a whole. The technical foundations of film and digital capture are given in the introductory chapters of the book, and you are presented with real world scenarios that illustrate these basic concepts in a practical sense. Step-by-step illustrations of photographic element creation empower you to learn how to effectively pre-plan and execute your own visual effects challenges.
* Hundreds of full-color set photographs show you exactly how it's done* Includes step-by-step information on green screen setup* Real-world examples and exercises throughout

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The Healthy Edit: Creative Editing Techniques for Perfecting Your Movie Review

The Healthy Edit: Creative Editing Techniques for Perfecting Your Movie
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The Healthy Edit: Creative Editing Techniques for Perfecting Your Movie ReviewOne of the most egregious sins on the vast majority of videos that are placed on YouTube and other sites is that they look amateurish or if the footage is good, but the editing is choppy, or unimpresssive. The digital media revolution has made the technology move at an incredible rate but it has also made the tools to make good edits more easily accessible to everyone. John Rosenberg wrote "The Healthy Edit" not just with film students and professionals in mind, but consumers and independent filmmakers that want a professional looking edit.
The book is filled with recent examples of recent films as well as other films throughout film history. It talks about how editing was done in the past but hones in how editors, directors and independent filmmakers can use tools like Final Cut Pro and Avid and get professional looking results. There are a list of ills you can fix in the editing process such as bad acting, continuity issues, character arc issues, poor pacing. Rosenberg evne goes over how to mprove a film's genre expectations and structure through the editing process.
Whether you are a film student or just a hobby-enthusiast, " The Healthy Edit" has something for everyoe.The Healthy Edit: Creative Editing Techniques for Perfecting Your Movie Overview
Every film or show that we watch, no matter how great the final cut, has its problems during production. Whether it's a bad performance from an actor, a hole in the story or script, continuity or pacing issues, or something being placed in a shot that shouldn't be, there's no shortage of problems encountered once postproduction has begun. Fixing these problems then becomes the job of the editor. This book provides those editors with creative editing solutions they can employ to overcome these problems and is the key to nursing a sick project back to health in the editing room.

Though the book takes an application-agnostic approach, specific solutions are presented for today's most commonly used non-linear editing applications. Solutions more relevant to certain genres are discussed in-depth, as are solutions that editors can employ through the use of simple VFX techniques. Case studies and interviews with Hollywood editors provide readers with real-world problems encountered, and solutions used to overcome them. The companion website provides Quicktime videos and Flash animations visually demonstrating problems and how they were dealt with.
*Application-agnostic approach for editors showing howyou can successfully remedy problems with a film through creative editing techniques*Features several in-depth interviews throughout with Hollywoodmovie editors on how they've employed these techniques on blockbuster features* Companion website features Flash animations of editing techniques discussed in the book

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Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone: A Backstage Tribute to Television's Groundbreaking Series Review

Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone: A Backstage Tribute to Television's Groundbreaking Series
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Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone: A Backstage Tribute to Television's Groundbreaking Series ReviewArguably Rod Serling's "Twilight Zone" is the finest television show of the early 1960s; certainly the one all us baby boomers remember most fondly. Every week, under the guise of science fiction or fantasy, Serling & Co. would present little morality tales that were, in turn, insightful, horrifying and touching. Stewart Stanyard revisits the "Twilight Zone" in this marvelous visual tribute published by ECW Press.
Some years ago Marc Scott Zicree wrote THE TWILIGHT ZONE COMPANION, which many feel is the definitive book to Serling's creation. Zicree's book is basically an episode guide marked by insightful commentary and a genuine fondness for the subject matter.
Stanyard's book is more of a general history and appreciation of the show and complements Zicree's volume quite nicely. It certainly outshines it in terms of photographic material. Syanyard's book features over 350 rare production and behind-the-scenes photos showing Serling, cast and crew in action. What a treat!
Another plus of Stanyard's book is the collection of interviews he did with surviving cast and crew such as Carol Serling, Richard Matheson, George Clayton Johnson, Earl Holliman, Cliff Robertson, Bill Mumy, and others. It's a shame so many "TZ" alumni such as Buck Houghton, Burgess Meredith, John Anderson, etc. are gone since Stanyard is a gifted interviewer. (But why no interview with Jack Klugman who is still living?)
Lastly, the affection and respect so many viewers had for Serling and his creation are showcased in 12 appreciation essays that wrap up the book. The comments by George Clayton Johnson and the sons of Charles Beaumont and Buck Houghton are especially noteworthy.
In short, this book is a 24-carat treat worthy of Serling, who was one of America's finest writers. It is an essential purchase for fans of the series! Read and enjoy!Dimensions Behind the Twilight Zone: A Backstage Tribute to Television's Groundbreaking Series OverviewIn this tribute to Rod Serling's quintessential television show The Twilight Zone, more than 300 original behind-the-scenes production photographs shot during the filming of the show are accompanied by insightful captions, rare documents, and exclusive interviews with producers, directors, writers, and actors who worked on the series. Featuring candid interviews with Serling's widow, Carol, his brother and cowriter, Robert, and his influential teacher, Helen Foley, this special glimpse into a historic realm of imagination and brilliance presents Hollywood appreciation and insightful analysis that will appeal to both longtime fans and those discovering the show for the first time.

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Naked Filmmaking: How To Make A Feature-Length Film - Without A Crew - For $10,000 Or Less Review

Naked Filmmaking: How To Make A Feature-Length Film - Without A Crew - For $10,000 Or Less
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Naked Filmmaking: How To Make A Feature-Length Film - Without A Crew - For $10,000 Or Less ReviewMike Carroll opens his book with a confession when he tells us he wants people to buy the book. He wants people to read the book. He has titled it "Naked Filmmaking" with full awareness that the onlooker will be drawn to it since sex controlled America is lured to perversions like a movement in the peripheral. He's an artist with a grasp on the reality of this ever expanding world of technology (the digital age)and holds no illusions in the possibility of being left behind (perhaps his largest fear?). Carroll chapters his book with layers of straight talk, not of the failed outsider but the active explorer who is eager to share his knowledge. One is inspired to take on the task because Carroll makes it seem possible (and it is!), all the while jabbing the low tech thinkers and non-creative hacks with unsettling reality. This book is what got me through the making of my film and I can say, without shame, it stands as the best book on one-man filmmaking (true independence) since "Rebel Without a Crew" by Robert Rodriguez.
- Anthony D'Juan SheltonNaked Filmmaking: How To Make A Feature-Length Film - Without A Crew - For $10,000 Or Less OverviewAward-winning filmmaker Mike Carroll guides you through his proven step-by-step process of how to single-handedly make a full-length hour and a half to two hour movie and not go bankrupt or lose your house in the process.Mike has single-handedly produced three feature-length films as a writer-producer-director-cinematographer-sound recordist-editor and had all of his films play on the big screen in film festivals.In this book he walks you through the process involved in how to write a script for a film that will essentially require no money to make it, then into his unique style of casting, choosing the right camera, locations, filming and lighting, working with actors, microphones and how to record perfect audio, and how to start editing it all. Then how to get it out to film festivals & sell it to the world.You've read all the screenwriting books. Attended the writer's workshops. You've got that great, perfectly-formatted script for your Sundance debut film. Only one problem: nobody will read it. Thousands of scripts arrive in Hollywood every week - never to be heard from again. Stop banging your head against the wall. Make Your Movie Yourself.Illustrated with 150 photos - behind-the-scenes and frame blowups from the films themselves. Also including script extracts.Mike's films "Dog Soldiers," "Year" and "Nightbeats" are all available on DVD from Amazon and make perfect filmmaking companions to this book. Each DVD includes in-depth audio commentariesand "Year" and "Nightbeats" also include making-of documentaries and detailed alternative examples of how sequences were edited. For more information visit mikecarrollfilms

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Planning the Low-Budget Film Review

Planning the Low-Budget Film
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Planning the Low-Budget Film ReviewIf you are making your first legitimate movie where people besides your friends and family are depending on you not to screw up big time and you just searched Amazon for books on filmmaking and you need a no-nonsense step by step guide to help you through the behind the scenes process, this is the book for you!
I work with a comedy group in California, and we recently shot our first budgeted short film. As I am the most organized member of the group I was appointed the "Line Producer" and put in charge of making the whole thing come together on the back end. Coming from a theatre background, I knew what went into putting a stage performance together, but I was in the dark when it came to preparing for a film. After scouring Amazon (and a few other sites) this book seemed the most adequate to help me prepare for my job.
I've worked in film before, so a lot of the books I looked at about making a movie spend 2/3 of their volume explaining the difference between DV and Film and what a DP does, but I needed something that cut through that introductory fat, and would help prepare me for pre-production and detail exactly what went into pulling a film together.
This book is that book. It was my bible. It was glued to my side like Biff's Sports Almanac in Back to the Future 2.
Mr. Brown walks you through everything that goes into "making it happen." From breaking down the script into a functional shooting schedule to preparing an accurate budget to determing how far behind schedule you are to making sure there is a place for people to go to the bathroom, it's all in there. Additionally, the book even helped me to prepare for a lot of the basic legal and propreitary issues that we would encounter.
Brown also peppers the book with great anecdotes that help you avoid the pitfalls and roadblocks that he himself has encountered on large feature films like The Goonies. Yeah, The Goonies, you can't mess with someone who worked on The Goonies.
This book is essential. Bottom line. Read it. Love it. Use it.
Make well prepared movies.
Be a hero for your production.Planning the Low-Budget Film OverviewFinalist, 2007 Benjamin Franklin Awards, for Best New Voice Nonfiction and Professional/Technical

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Every Frame a Rembrandt: Art and Practice of Cinematography Review

Every Frame a Rembrandt: Art and Practice of Cinematography
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Every Frame a Rembrandt: Art and Practice of Cinematography ReviewThe envelope please--best book by a cinematographer (or anyone else for that matter) about cinematography. Essential reading.
There are books of theory, there are books of anecdotes, and there are books on how-to. This has the best of all.
Andrew Laszlo, ASC is a wonderful storyteller, inspirational teacher, terrific writer as well as a distinguished cinematographer. His credits include Shogun, Owl and the Pussycat, One Potato-Two Potato, Newsies and many others.
The book is a wealth of film criticism, tricks of the trade, technical details, wonderful anecdotes and behind-the-scenes stories.
For example, Laszlo discusses how he lit a scene from Rambo with one match, and then explains that a second one was hidden behind. He is funny and iconoclastic at times: "I hate dailies," or "Taking a stand in the film industry is not an everyday event." But behind every attention-grabbing statement is a complete and highly intelligent, articulate explanation.
The book covers five of his films: "Southern Comfort, The Warriors, First Blood, Streets of Fire, and Innerspace." There is insight into the politics, diplomacy and psychology of filmmaking--dealing with directors, producers, studios and crew members. Through the writing, we watch a truly masterful problem solver, consummate professional and talented artist at work and reflecting upon that work.
Interviews done by Andrew Quickie (Film and TV Professor at Regent Univ.) punctuate the chapters.
I eagerly await the sequel to this book, perhaps to be called "Son of Rembrandt," or "Every Frame a Laszlo." Certainly there would be enough anecdotes and information from his 42 or more other films to fill a dozen standard volumes.Every Frame a Rembrandt: Art and Practice of Cinematography OverviewThis book examines the art and craft of motion picture photography through a veteran professional cinematographer's personal experiences on five major motion pictures, each selected to illustrate a particular series of challenges for the photographer."Every Frame a Rembrandt" is an expression heard on sound stages and locations the world over.While in most cases the expression is used lightly and not infrequently with a certain amount of sarcasm, its true meaning speaks highly of most cinematographers' commitment to producing the best, most interesting, unusual and memorable images for the screen.Through the five films he selected for this book Laszlo is able to show the broad range of complexity in motion picture photography, from the relatively simple "point and shoot" in the typcal western to complex in-camera effects.In recounting his "war stories" Laszlo is able to show the day to day activities of a cinematographer before, during and after filming the project, discussing equipment, film stocks, testing, labs, unions, agents, budget requirements, and working with the director and producer. The five films discussed are Southern Comfort, The Warriors, Rambo: First Blood, Streets of Fire, and Innerspace.The book is illustrated throughout with production stills from Laszlo's extensive collection (12 in a color insert).The "war stories" of a seasoned Hollywood professional cinematographerExplains how specific problems and challenges were overcome for each filmIllustrated with production stills from the author's personal collection

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501 Movie Directors: A Comprehensive Guide to the Greatest Filmmakers Review

501 Movie Directors: A Comprehensive Guide to the Greatest Filmmakers
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501 Movie Directors: A Comprehensive Guide to the Greatest Filmmakers ReviewThis is a great book for film students (I bought it for my daughter who is a film major at Syracuse University), film buffs and for us folks who love to watch movies!
As General Editor of this book, Steven Jay Schneider (who also wrote 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die)aptly summarizes, "This book is a love letter to those men and women who have changed our lives as a result of their celluloid dreams." Sit back and imagine the movies you have seen and how they impacted your life... perhaps prompted you to some action whether of the heart or for society? Moved you to tears or laughter? A great director's fine tuning of a writer's vision onto a screen does just that.
This book has colored tabs on the side of the pages for the director's birth year decade - beginning with the man who invented movies, George Melies, born in the 1860's in Paris, France, right through to David Gordon Green, born in the 1970's, writer and director of Southern Gothic coming of age dramas. The first pages of the book is a solid Table of Contents A-Z of all 501 of these great directors. Each director's page(s) has a photo of the director and some have movie stills from his or her films. Some of the diectors included in this great compendium are Alexander Korda (who helped put the British film industry on the map); John Ford (a titan in the industry who even influenced Spielberg when Steven was a runner on the 20th Century studio lot! Steven went into Ford's office and Ford 'taught' Spielberg to really "look at" his landmark sweeping vista shots carefully...'what do you see?'); George Cukor (Dinner at Eight, Grand Hotel, My Fair Lady); George Stevens (who, as the book states, had "A legendary sharp eye for detail that enhanced visual storytelling; rapport with actors produced memorable performances from Hollywood greats." and other such greats as Federico Fellini, Alfred Hitchcock, Martin Scorsese, Margarethe von Trotta and Kathryn Bigelow.
The "Top Takes..." of each director's body of work are listed to the right of each director's description of his/her piece in film history including their backgrounds, their influences...what led them to their signature styles.
My particular book came with no cover which was a disappointment as I really admire Steven Spielberg, but the inside history is 100% readable and enjoyable....and moves me to want to read more about my favority directors and to see works I have not yet screened!
501 Movie Directors: A Comprehensive Guide to the Greatest Filmmakers OverviewA copy of this valuable book is destined to find its way into the home of every true movie fan, cinema scholar, and film critic. It's a chronological compendium that profiles the 501 most important film directors of all time. Entries--augmented with a photo of each director plus movie stills from his or her films--describe such major figures as Sergei Eisenstein, Martin Scorsese, Alfred Hitchcock, Fritz Lang, Leni Riefenstahl, Orson Welles, Federico Fellini, Steven Spielberg, Robert Altman, and many, many others. Written by an expert team of film critics and historians, this book was compiled under the direction of editor Steven J. Schneider, who's 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die has sold a half-million copies worldwide to date. Readers will learn-- Why D. W. Griffith is called the father of filmmaking The details surrounding Martin Scorsese's fascination with New York The truth about Alfred Hitchcock's stunning blondes . . .and much more All filmmakers receive at least a one-page entry, which includes discussion of their work and influences, their complete filmography, and listing of awards they have received. Seventy-five directors of special importance are profiled in larger entries--two-page spreads--while 15 internationally acknowledged master directors are discussed and examined in two double-page spreads. Here is a comprehensive survey of the creative imaginations behind more than a hundred years of filmmaking. It's a wonderful book for browsing, for reference, and for gaining insights into the personalities who directed the most memorable movies ever made.

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Directors Tell the Story: Master the Craft of Television and Film Directing Review

Directors Tell the Story: Master the Craft of Television and Film Directing
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Directors Tell the Story: Master the Craft of Television and Film Directing ReviewThere are quite literally no other books like this one. Most of the other "Directing" books out there are either "Interview" books or "Indie Filmmaker" books, or even "Film Theory" books more suitable to a classroom. As such, there are very few "How-To" and/or "Tell it Like it Is" books by written by WORKING PROFESSIONAL DIRECTORS. And why not? They're *working*; they have no time to write books!
So these Authors have Authority-- now how about their Approach? Leveraging their decades in the Industry, the Authors lay it all out step-by-step:
- Prep: Break-down, Casting, Design, Blocking, Scouting, etc
- Shoot: Directing, Running the Set
- Post: Working with Editors & Post Supe's
- Being a Director: The Demands of the Job, & Getting Started
And it's all from the standpoint of How-To: comparing practical ideas, issues, tips/tricks, etc between Network, multi-camera, single-camera, MOV, and even some 'Feature Film' perspectives. We're not talking (just) "where to put the camera"; we're talking "how to shoot half a feature in eight, sometimes seven days", because "TV is low-budget filmmaking".
But know what's even *better* than all that? Here's my favorite parts:
- Job Requirements for being a Storyteller
- Being a Leader/Leadership qualities of a Director
- Six Steps to Problem Solving
- Suggestions for Dealing with stress
- The Business of the Business
This is the Real Stuff-- as anyone who's spent time on a hot set, herding cats, unsnarling Gordian knots & chasing the sun will tell you...
I particularly appreciate their encouraging, practical, keep-your-eyes-on-the-ball approach to the field of Hollywood filmmaking. They not only share a ton of hard-won advice, they also leverage their massive list of highly-skilled, well-known Director friends, and persuade them to share *their* hard-won advice too!! Bonus!!
And I really love their tongue-in-cheek tone: Who else would (dare) publish a 'real-world' vocab list, & include the definition of a "Two-T" shot? :-D
Highly Recommended.Directors Tell the Story: Master the Craft of Television and Film Directing Overview

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Special Effects: The History and Technique Review

Special Effects: The History and Technique
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Special Effects: The History and Technique ReviewWOW! If you have even the smallest interest in special effects, filmmaking, or even general film history, you must own a copy of this brilliant new book - it's amazing!
Though at first I figured `Special Effects: The History and Technique' seemed expensive, I thought I'd give it a try since so few books on this subject are ever published. Also, because I am a film studies lecturer, I need to keep up to date with books that are published on the subject. It turned out to be the BEST BUY I have made in a long time.
The book starts with an `overview if the first 100 years of special effects' and perfectly summarises the first century of the commercial cinema. The author writes about the film pioneers, the formation of the studio system, the coming of sound, the challenge of TV, the changes in society and audiences - all the influences that affected the type of films that were made in each decade. He then gives a summary of the most important effects films of each decade and even includes profiles of important effects directors from Alfred Hitchcock to James Cameron.
Chapter Two teaches you everything you need to know about the basics of cinema technology - like how film and emulsions work, how cameras, lenses and projectors work, the physics of light and color etc. The author then explains the basics of traditional optical work and, with the help of fantastic graphic illustrations (there are hundreds of these thru the book), shows how an optical printer works and details the various bluescreen travelling matte systems and their variations like the Dunning Pomeroy Process and Sodium Vapor travelling mattes. There is a stack of examples and images from many films as well as interviews with people who worked on movies such as Terminator and Superman. The chapter then moves on to the history and science of digital technology - explaining how images are created and manipulated digitally with reference to many modern special effects companies and films.
Chapter 3 looks at models and miniatures. The Chapter explains how traditional models are built and filmed and gives formulas for things like camera speed, model size and scale. Examples from the earliest days until the current time are used. The chapter also explains how different types of miniatures are made and filmed - there's a section on boats and water, one on aircraft and flying and (best of all) one on miniature pyrotechnics. The chapter then explains how models are built in the computer and shows different CG modelling and painting techniques and interviews many masters of the process.
The animation chapter is the best of all. Every form and technique is covered in minute detail - from early cartoons, stop motion, go-motion as well as modern computer assisted cartoons and full 3D animation. There are profiles of films like King Kong and Jurassic Park and interviews with masters like Ray Harryhausen and Phil Tippet.
Chapter 5 covers matte painting from the earliest glass paintings to the latest amazing 3D computer generated environments in films like The Phantom Menace and Titanic.
The next section looks at special effects makeup - showing how to create anything from a scar to a huge animatronic dinosaur. All processes are covered in minute detail with explanations from experts such as Stan Winston and Jim Henson's Creature Shop. The chapter ends with a look at digital makeup in films like The Mummy.Chapter 9 looks at physical effects and talks about how to create wind, snow, rain - even fake glass. It also has a fantastic section on guns and explosions which tells you just how it is all done in films such as James Bond and Indiana Jones.
The next chapter was a great surprise - sound effects! I can't think of another fx book that covers this subject - even though the sound of a dinosaur is, of course, as important as what it looks like. The whole process of film sound is explained from recording, mixing and dubbing to sound design with profiles of experts such as Ben Burtt.
The final chapter looks at the future of cinema and special effects and considers formats such as 3D (full coverage of history and technique, IMAX, digital filmmaking and virtual reality.
Finally chapter 10 looks in detail at the effects and techniques of the top 50 effects films of all time- some people might not agree that these are the top 50 films, but those chosen are definitely some of the most important ones. The author details exactly how each film was made and who did what.
There is a good bibiography and a really useful glossary with every complicated film and special effects term explained with amazing clarity.
I cannot fault this book - it is probably as good as a few years at film school or a hundred nights at the movies. Anybody even slightly interested in movies and movie making should have a copy on their shelf - I will definitely recommend it to all my students as one of the few books that is worth buying rather than simply borrowing from a library. I've read my copy from cover to cover twice and will refer to it for years to come.Special Effects: The History and Technique OverviewEver wondered how Harry Potter flew in that quidditch game? Ever puzzled over King Kong swatting down airplanes? Ever tried to figure out Spider-Man swung from building to building? It's all done with optical and digital effects, with miniature photography and animation, with pyrotechnics, animatronics, and even sound effects--and Special Effects: The History and Technique offers the definitive history of movie magic plus detailed technical explanations and diagrams. Packed with more than 500 photographs and profiles of such groundbreakers as George Lucas, James Cameron, and Robert Zemeckis, it is sure to appeal to fans of all ages. From A Trip to the Moon to X-Men 3, from The Lost World to War of the Worlds, from the 1933 King Kong to the 2005 King Kong, this stunning book reveals the magic of special effects.

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Cinematography: Theory and Practice, Second Edition: Image Making for Cinematographers and Directors Review

Cinematography: Theory and Practice, Second Edition: Image Making for Cinematographers and Directors
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Cinematography: Theory and Practice, Second Edition: Image Making for Cinematographers and Directors ReviewBlain Brown's text has become invaluable to me as an instructor of film studies. While my discipline is generally interested in examining the results of great cinema, I find so few of us understand how these iconic moments are created. So, Brown's efforts not only guide potential cinematographers, but they are equally as valuable to the scholar.
To exemplify his points, Brown draws on some student favorites such as Fight Club, Kill Bill, Blade Runner, and Rain Man. Nonetheless, the author also includes some older/more obscure films which are sure to delight cinephiles: 2001, City of Lost Children, The Fall, Apocalypse Now, Blade Runner, and Citizen Kane. These examples are large, colorful, and deftly underscore Brown's points. In fact, even the examples that are specifically constructed for this text are quite lovely (and that is never the case!) Kudos to the author for making a genuinely engaging text.
Brown devotes much needed attention to lighting (from simple to sublime). Likewise, he thoroughly addresses color, camera movement, and exposure. Personally, I really enjoyed the focus on obvious-but-oft-overlooked aspects of film. For instance, I frequently have to scour new texts for a solid entry on breaking-the-fourth-wall. So, I enjoyed Brown's example of Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Certainly, he could have selected a number of "serious" instances, but this film is one of the most memorable examples. It really worked! Brown's lack of pretension is showcased in this moment. He discusses all manner of film: mainstream, classic, art-house, and indie. Very smart and very appreciated, indeed.
Brown's text is lovely to peruse and amazing to read cover-to-cover. Make this a new addition to your professional library. You will not regret it!
Cinematography: Theory and Practice, Second Edition: Image Making for Cinematographers and Directors Overview
There's more to being a DP than holding a light meter! With this book as your guide, you are on your way to learning not only about the equipment and technology, but also about the concepts and thought processes that will enable you to shoot professionally, efficiently, and with artistic mastery. A leading book in the field, Cinematography has been translated into many languages and is a staple at the world's top film schools. Lavishly produced and illustrated, it covers the entire range of the profession. The book is not just a comprehensive guide to current professional practice; it goes beyond to explain the theory behind the practice, so you understand how the rules came about and when it's appropriate to break them. In addition, directors will benefit from the book's focus on the body of knowledge they should share with their Director of Photography.

Cinematography presents the basics and beyond, employing clear explanations of standard practice together with substantial illustrations and diagrams to reveal the real world of film production.

Recognizing that professionals know when to break the rules and when to abide by them, this book discusses many examples of fresh ideas and experiments in cinematography. Covering the most up-to-date information on the film/digital interface, new formats, the latest cranes and camera support and other equipment, it also illustrates the classic tried and true methods.

New! A DVD and website features hours of video footage, offering key instruction in topics such as camera basics and essentials, lighting, shooting methods, and much more.

Topics include: .Concepts of filmmaking .Language of the lens .Cinematic continuity .Lighting for film, digital, and HD .Exposure .HD cinematography and shooting .Shooting in HD .Image control and filters .Bleach bypass processes .Lighting as storytelling .Shooting special effects .Set procedures and other issues
* Full color illustrations bring issues of color and light to life* The definitive guide to cinematography, covering the full range of creative and technical issues in the field * NEW! A DVD and website with hours of video, demonstrating techniques and taking the reader behind the scenes on a professional shoot

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