Film/Video BOOK REVIEWS:

[BWC]

Great thread, Duke. Thanks to everyone who posted reccommendations. I now have a notepad list of fifteen books I must have. This in addition to the seven ebooks I am currently trying to digest.

[Duke]

For those that are interested I went to a class by William C (Bill) Martell last weekend. (Great class BTW.)

For those that haven't heard of him besides selling lots of scripts he wrote a book called "The Secrets of Action Screenwriting" that is considered one of seminal books on the subject. (He jokes that some of his best scripts have been made into the worst movies.)

He had done two editions of "The Secrets of Action Screenwriting" and both sold out to the point that used copies of this little $15-$20 book have sold as high as $750. (I think I paid $85 for a used copy a couple years ago.) Right now on Amazon the cheapest is $99.91 for a used copy.
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Action-Screenwriting-William-Martell/dp/0970067704/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1241964490&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: The Secrets Of Action Screenwriting: William C. Martell: Books[/ame]

Bill told me he is working on a new edition that should be out soon.

He generally has free writing tips on his web page, and he has CDs of classes he's given. http://www.scriptsecrets.net/tips/tip80.htm

[Mariner]

Can anybody recommend a good book to learn how to use the Sony Vegas Platinum program? I find the so called owner's manual wretched. The search using "learning Sony Vegas" turned up a bunch of listings where people said why they chose one nle over another, or which was easier to use. So, can someone please recommend a book for the autodidact? Thanks.

[Duke]

This is the Pro 8 version rather than Platinum version, but theirs more DVDs than books.

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0240810465/ref=s9_k2a_gw_ir03?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=c enter-2&pf_rd_r=091DSCHW27DPCTBW5GK0&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p =470938631&pf_rd_i=507846"]Amazon.com: Vegas Pro 8 Editing Workshop (DV Expert Series): Douglas Spotted Eagle: Books[/ame]

You might try a PM to Eugenia. She's the guru on Vegas.
Duke

[yophoto91]

Can anyone recommend any decent books that deal specifically with lighting? I noticed there were a few linked in this thread, but they seem a bit dated. Is the content still applicable?

Also, I do not plan on making any action type films so is it still recommended that I pickup the DV Rebel's Guide? From what I hear there is a decent chapter on color correction which is something I know nothing about and need to know. Or should I just purchase a separate book that deals with color correction specifically? I'm using Adobe Premiere CS3/After Effects.

Thanks for any information.

Take care,

Mark

[Erik Bien]

Can anyone recommend any decent books that deal specifically with lighting? Also, I do not plan on making any action type films so is it still recommended that I pickup the DV Rebel's Guide?

To answer your second question first, especially if you're already an After Effects user the DV Rebel's Guide is well worth picking up for any aspiring filmmaker — even if your opus doesn't involve any gunfire or explosions, it's still a treasure trove of great tips on everything from storyboarding through working with actors to final color correction. The included DVD-ROM even has some AE plug-ins.

Of the newer books on lighting, one I can personally recommend is:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Lighting-Digital-Video-Television-Jackman/dp/1578201152"]Lighting for Ditial Video & Television[/ame] by John Jackman

It does a pretty good job of covering the technical and artistic basics illustrated by clear black & white photos using up-to-date equipment. There's a good illustrated glossary of lighting terminology and vernacular, and the author also suggests many good low/no-budget alternatives to pricey studio equipment.

While not really a textbook aimed at beginners or do-it-yourselfers,

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Grip-Book-Third-Michael-Uva/dp/0240852338"]The Grip Book[/ame] by Michael Uva

has line drawings and descriptions of every obscure, cryptically-named bit of gear on the grip truck, from the onkie-bonks to the meat axes, and is full of little tips and best practices — in case you're shopping used, later editions (I believe the Third is the most current) are better and more complete than earlier ones.

[yophoto91]

Thanks for the information, Erik. I'll start off with The DV Rebel's Guide and Lighting for Digital Video and TV.

Thanks again.

Mark

[Rikki]

Videopia: Video Production for the Internet Revolution

http://videopia.org/index.php?option=com_content&id=388

Written by D. Eric Franks who you might remember from Digital Juice TV's TechKnow series.

VERY well written in a sharp, witty style that doesnt spend page after page of your time going into unnessesary details.

Covers everything from $200 cams through to the big daddys. Also explains proper lighting (on a budget), history of film, 24p and why people want it, production, editing, sound - in fact pretty much everything.

Costs $9.99 as a PDF download or $29.99 for the dead trees version. I bought the PDF but will probably get the book too.

Ive been doing video for about 3 years now seriously (not super pro level but I know my way around) and this book would suit anyone interested in video and filmmaking from the complete noob through to people with more experience than myself. For the price you cant complain at all.

Technical info: 9
Readability:.....9
Relevancy/Up-to-date: 9
Overall: .........10

Screen shots of the book (8 pages from the 200+)

http://www.strathycruise.com/pics/v1.jpg
http://www.strathycruise.com/pics/v2.jpg
http://www.strathycruise.com/pics/v3.jpg
http://www.strathycruise.com/pics/v4.jpg
http://www.strathycruise.com/pics/v5.jpg
http://www.strathycruise.com/pics/v6.jpg
http://www.strathycruise.com/pics/v7.jpg
http://www.strathycruise.com/pics/v8.jpg

Rik

[Symbolscape]

Okay, wanted to toss a book in here. It's rare that I read something that makes me so excited I go out and tell the world about it, but this one has got me so motivated I had to get it out.

IF you're anywhere between a beginner and intermediate documentary filmmaker, take a looks at John Hewitt's Documentary Filmmaking: A Contemporary Field Guide

I just finished this book recently and have to say that it rivals Rabiger in terms of usefulness for young documentary filmmakers and those just staring out in the field. It is stocked full of essential information and includes lots of checklists. I have been working on a documentary since finishing school and I find that the process can be both daunting and discouraging at times. But having met Hewitt and having read this book, I am persistently impressed by the notion that documentary filmmaking is possible and can be an enjoyable process.

By way of disclosure, Hewitt was one of our guests on FOCAL POINT, a TV show I worked on as a producer when I was still a graduate student last fall. But all bias aside, his advice and experience as a professor of broadcasting and an Emmy winning doc maker is unrivaled. If you are looking for a book on the "how to's" of documentary making, this is it.


Technical Info: 9 (includes a chapter on distribution via Internet)
Readability: 10 (Hewitt's PhD in education is revealed in his way with words)
Relevancy/Up-to-date: 10 (This one just came out and reflects the state of the art as of January 2009
Overall: 10

[eggontoast]

Hi hi, this is my first post. I've been lurking on the forum a while just reading, never needed to post to answer any questions or felt I had anything to add yet.
I bought this book "The Filmmaker's Handbook" when i first got my HV30 in April:
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Filmmakers-Handbook-Comprehensive-Guide-Digital/dp/0452286786/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1255478246&sr=8-1"]Amazon.com: The Filmmaker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age (9780452286788): Steven Ascher, Edward Pincus: Books[/ame]

It's really in depth, but very clear for a newbie like me, and also gets very advanced too. I didn't notice anyone else recommending it so I thought i would. Has anyone else read this?

Btw, it's great to be a part of the forum.

[No Handle]

I wish I'd thought to take a look at this thread earlier today... went on a book buying spree on amazon this afternoon after reading on this thread. Bought [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Film-Directing-Shot-Visualizing-Productions/dp/0941188108"]Shot by Shot[/ame] the other day at the bookstore because I won on poker night and figured a few more wouldn't hurt. Ordered [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1879505622/ref=oss_product"]Blink of an Eye[/ame], [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193290705X/ref=oss_product"]Cinematic Storytelling[/ame], McKee's [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060391685/ref=oss_product"]Story[/ame], and [ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140127224/ref=oss_product"]On Directing Film[/ame]. So, I'll give them a go when they arrive. For now, I can say I'd recommend Shot by Shot, it's been worth every penny. Thanks poker night!

edit: Just noticed Duke's comment above, William Martell also updates his blog frequently, and I'd recommend that too. He can be pretty funny or insightful when he wants, and pretty thorough when dissecting & explaining stories.

[LTN]

great thread. lots of my favorite books listed here. if my copy of Story or Mamet's On Directing Film (both linked above) weren't in another state I'd share reviews in an instant. here's my recollection of each:

Story is more of a "how to" guide with steps for writing a screenplay. it references the screenplay to Chinatown as being an outstanding example of the form (that screenplay's on my shelf waiting, unread). Story and its author, Robert McKee were briefly featured in the film Adaptation (where the book was passed off as hack-work by the troubled artistic screen-writing-character of the film).

Mamet's On Directing is a series of essays reproducing conversations he lead while teaching courses on film, if I recall correctly, which may seem like an odd way to do it, but reads very conversationally, and walks the reader through the thought process to arrive at Mamet's solutions.

both are highly recommended, although I can't justify rating them without paging through them again... and now i have more books to shop for!

[No Handle]

Finally read the books I posted earlier, here's my scores:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Film-Directing-Shot-Visualizing-Productions/dp/0941188108"]Shot by Shot[/ame]

Technical: 9
Readability: 9
Overall: 10

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060391685/ref=oss_product"]Story[/ame]

Technical: 9
Readability: 9
Overall: 9

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1879505622/ref=oss_product"]Blink of an Eye[/ame]

Technical: 3
Readability: 8
Overall: 7
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0140127224/ref=oss_product"]On Directing Film[/ame]

Technical: 2
Readability: 5
Overall: 4

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/193290705X/ref=oss_product"]Cinematic Storytelling[/ame]

Technical: 5
Readability: 6
Overall: 4

Of the few books I've read on the subject, I'd definitely recommend Shot by Shot by Katz and Story by McKee.

[askclifford]

This is a great publisher for filmmaking books.
Publishes books on every aspect.
http://www.mwp.com/

[movielighter]

Recent gift from my wife. About $25.00. Covers video shooting with a DSLR with specific examples, settings and an explanation of why the shooter chose them.
Up to date, published in the Fall of 2010.

Quite a bit of information and well worth the $$$.

http://www.amazon.com/DSLR-Cinema-Cr...4008589&sr=8-1

Technical: 9
Readability: 10
Overall: 9.5

[Duke]

I thought there was a need for this when I started the thread 3 years ago. Its nice to see the thread still has good stuff going on. I'll have to have a look at the DSLR book.