The legendary American critic, Andrew Sarris, sounds off on auteurism, his own career and the value of the traditional film-writing canon over internet innovations such as IMDB.He picks the best books on film criticism. It’s one great director interviewing another great director – on the subjects that matter. Sign up to receive news and updates. ‘Save the Cat’ is just one of many ironclad rules for making your ideas more marketable and your script more satisfying…” (. The best books on Film Criticism recommended by Andrew Sarris. Unique among directing books, this book provides clear-cut ways to translate a script to the screen. “Directing covers the methods, technologies, thought processes, and judgments that a director must use throughout the fascinating process of making a film. With this in mind, here are some of the directing books I have read that I highly recommend any aspiring director read. Most filmmakers starting out have no money, and it’s music to the ears to learn you can still make it big if you’re going the indie route. Sign up to receive updates and helpful tips! Film: A Sound Art Michel Chion, Columbia University Press, 2003. This graphic approach includes comparisons of style by interpreting a ‘model script’, created for the book, in storyboard form.” (, “Internationally-renowned directing coach Weston demonstrates what constitutes a good performance, what actors want from a director, what directors do wrong, script analysis and preparation, how actors work, and shares insights into the director/actor relationship.” (, “This book gives street-level instruction and real-world examples on how to promote, distribute, and sell your production.” (, “This book is for anyone interested in the business of breaking into the movies. Shutterstock’s Explorer’s Guide to Travel Photography and Destination Video is a perfect companion piece for the modern… This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Part of knowing what you want is taking the time to deeply explore all facets of your film. Hitchcock by Truffaut. Author(s): Robert Rodriguez. If you can keep a level head, then it’s still a great read. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. A person puts all their thoughts and considerations onto paper and is forced to make these thoughts concise, throwing away bad ideas and leaving only those that are good. Update: I’ve finished reading it. It approaches the marketing and sale of feature films from the lowest level. It focuses less on contracts and copyright (though that is a large portion of its content) and more on the relationships between the people you hire or work with, the financial implications of those relationships, and what the legal issues are for that topic. A masterclass on the art of directing from the Pulitzer Prize-winning (and Oscar and Tony-nominated) writer of Glengarry Glen Ross, Speed the Plow, The Verdict, and Wag the Dog Calling on his unique perspective as playwright, screenwriter, and director of his own critically acclaimed movies like House of Games, State and Main, and Things Change, … Please check back to see if it retains its place! About On Directing Film. However, I’ll tell you where I think the value lies in this book. I may not remember everything I read in this book (perhaps it makes a better reference after reading once), but I remember key points it made that I was able to put into effect in my directing. If you want to better understand how deals are made between crew, cast, producers, studios, etc., want to better protect yourself, the people you work with, and your productions, as well as make better deals, you should read this book. Mostly, this book challenges you to consider every possible directorial option you have available when it comes to camera movement, framing, and focal length, as well as each of these elements’ effects on your viewer. The Movie Business 8. Its unique two-fold approach looks at filmmaking from the perspectives of both the producer and director, and clearly explains how their separate roles must work together to create a successful short film or video. It is highly actionable. Best Sellers in. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. How is this not the most popular book for directors and indie filmmakers? I have included only a few of the many books Amazon.com has available on Directing. In this episode of Not the Film Directing Masterclass I share six books that I think help immensely when you're starting out as a director. It only takes a click to unsubscribe. I would argue that reading is a key factor to success. Along with Bazin’s unfinished Jean Renoir this is one of the best monographs I know on any director. Shot by Shot is the world’s go-to directing book, now newly updated for a special 25th Anniversary edition! Rebel without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez. Film Directing Shot by Shot 3. You should start reading directing books to become a great filmmaker. This directing book is highly technical, covering a painfully exhaustive number of camera movements, framings, and analyzing different shots’ usage in conjunction with one another. I get it, we are filmmakers. Learn who the key players are when it comes to getting a movie made and how to navigate the politics of filmmaking from start to finish, from first pitch to filling movie seats.” (Source). The Ride of a Lifetime: Lessons Learned from 15…. You might ask yourself, ‘how did I not think of this, or just know it, before?’. After all, top performers in various industries read for self-improvement. Then I met Frank Hauser. Here are the books Caldeano names in the video: Cinematography: Theory and Practice by Blain Brown; Master Shots by Christopher Kenworthy; Screenplay by Syd Field; The Filmmaker's Eye by Gustavo Mercado; Film Directing Shot by Shot by Steven D. Katz; Let's just get this out of the way right now—Syd Field's Screenplay—some of you hate it, some of you … I feel it ended too abruptly because there are no notes on the filming of She’s Gotta Have It, but most of it is his fight for funding and how the story and script evolved. Here two other books for your list: Kazan on directing and The film director by Richard L. Bare. Lumet was nominated for the Oscar five times for directing classics like 12 Angry Men,... On Directing Film by David Mamet. I have put this list together so that other filmmakers, or people interested in film can add to their own collection. Bottom line: The quintessential directing book to learning the key aspects of story and film structure. Translated to English. ‘Save the Cat’ is just one of many ironclad rules for making your ideas more marketable and your script more satisfying…” (Source). It uses a plethora of visual references, such as photographs taken from films and photos shot specifically for the book, to demonstrate these techniques. Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics 2. This is one of the first filmmaking books I read at film school and is still one of the best ever written. Bottom line: This directing book provides a solid overview for the filmmaker looking to up their game. 4. It’s a great directing book because it will improve your understanding of standard film and story structure and vastly improve your storytelling skills as a director. It entails autobiographical stories, personal views about life, art and cinema. It’s Ingmar Bergman! I’ve ordered this book and will be reading it soon. This directing book is a long one, filled with plenty of references, photos, and diagrams. This book is a fantastic resource.” 16. (Prices in US dollars). Each section is broken down into practical themes – what you, the director, should and must do (or at least suggestions) to get particular results. Rebel Without A Crew. Secondly, this book doesn’t assume you’re a trust fund baby, retired millionaire, or already have achieved some level of success in the film industry. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Creativity, Inc.: … I haven’t had the chance (yet) to apply specific principles I learned through this book. I must admit that it is a tough read, and may be best used as a reference. (I’ve read this book from cover to cover twice if that says anything.). What isn’t covered on the profession in this book could probably fit on the back of a postage stamp. We are visual people. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. You’ll be better off for it. Film Directing Fundamentals gives the novice director an organic methodology for realizing on the screen the full dramatic possibility of a screenplay. Phoenix, Arizona, USA | Critical Focus, LLC. 13 great books by directors on the subject of film direction. From the initial acquisition of material through the rights issues that arise during preproduction, production, postproduction, and release, this legalese-free guide–now extensively revised, updated, and expanded–will help you protect yourself and your work from disastrous legal actions.” (Source). See more ideas about filmmaking books, filmmaking, books. “Internationally-renowned directing coach Weston demonstrates what constitutes a good performance, what actors want from a director, what directors do wrong, script analysis and preparation, how actors work, and shares insights into the director/actor relationship.” (Source). What I mean is that some of the points made in the book, once you read them, seem so straightforward and logical. The young film director of Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (about the troubled but brilliant British rock star Ian Dury) talks about the books that inspire his films. Bottom line: This book is a great way to get up to speed or get a refresher on how the industry works and intake some wisdom from industry experts. The best filmmaking book for directors by a director (or otherwise). Not written by the director, but probably the closest account we will have of his methods and conduct on set. Learn who the key players are when it comes to getting a movie made and how to navigate the politics of filmmaking from start to finish, from first pitch to filling movie seats.” (, From the initial acquisition of material through the rights issues that arise during preproduction, production, postproduction, and release, this legalese-free guide–now extensively revised, updated, and expanded–will help you protect yourself and your work from disastrous legal actions.” (, “Making a movie may be part art and part science, but it’s 100 percent business. It’s another account of how a low budget hit was created, but the movie is definitely better. If you know of any film books by directors, please let me know in the comments below. Sheer inspiration. Really, it is the single best resource on Orson Welles you’ll find anywhere. How to Make a Film Look Book & 7 Big Reasons You Need One. Bottom line: if you want a solid overview of what all ‘that legal stuff’ means, and how to protect yourself as a filmmaker, this is a must-read. It’s a great book in three parts: An interview, Spike Lee’s notes on raising funds and writing the script, and the script itself. Film Directing Shot by Shot offers a good introduction to the rudiments of .. By the way, this book includes a ton of free sample contracts for different things an indie filmmaker might need. The core of the book is the human, psychological, and technical knowledge that every director needs, the enduring elements of the craft that remain vital. You can’t skip this one! “This book is for anyone interested in the business of breaking into the movies. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. What works?’ Then, it tells you, providing many examples of approaches to marketing and selling, and case studies from filmmakers that have found success with those exact methods. Interview by Eve Gerber The director’s job Understand and work with the script The director is responsible for how the story looks on film. Entrepreneur & Storyteller. Not only does Peter Bogdanovich pry out the details behind Welles’ filmmaking decisions, you also learn what he thought of his peers, and his struggle with financing. This filmmaking book also covers a good bit of financial specifics, and the portion regarding dealing with distributors I find to be particularly insightful for the independent director. book by Steven D. Katz. Read 59 reviews from the world's largest community for readers. The best online film school for serious filmmakers. Haven’t read it yet, but Frank Capra is one of the great directors. This is one of the first filmmaking books I read … Clearance and Copyright 7. Cassavetes on Cassavetes by Ray Carney. FILM DIRECTING TIPS conundrums and performance crises? https://mwp.com/…/film-directing-shot-shot-25th-anniversar…/ It not only offers a step-by-step process to follow but engages Rebel without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez. Definitely worth it. The book is broken down by the steps in the filmmaking process, from pre-production to distribution, and further breaks those down into the actions and relationships formed during that phase. Enough said.” 17. Film Directing Cinematic .. file (pdf) or read online for free film directing, . Fave films include Blade Runner and Mad Max: Fury Road. Evidence suggests there is a strong link between success and reading. Exclusive Bonus: Download your FREE Blueprint: How to make a movie. First, it helps you to better understand the principles of selling and marketing generally, and specifically within the entertainment industry. The director first reads and analyzes the script if he/she has not already been involved in the creation of the script. 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