Art Direction for Film and Video, Second Edition [Paperback]

Robert Olson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240803388 | ISBN-13: 978-0240803388 | Publication Date: November 5, 1998 | Edition: 2

Written by an author with over 30 years of working experience, this book takes a practical, thorough look at the duties and skills of art directors and production designers. It teaches readers how to analyze a script, develop concepts that meet the needs of a script, develop sketches and construction drawings, work with directors and producers, and operate within budget limitations.

The book has been updated and expanded to include interviews with professionals at all levels in the art department. A chapter on digital effects as they relate to the work of the art director has been added to this new edition.

Students, novices in the profession, and persons from other art/design fields who are interested in expanding into film and video will find this is a valuable resource.



Written by an author with over 30 years of working experience, this book takes a practical, thorough look at the duties and skills of art directors and production designers. It teaches readers how to analyze a script, develop concepts that meet the needs of a script, develop sketches and construction drawings, work with directors and producers, and operate within budget limitations.

The book has been updated and expanded to include interviews with professionals at all levels in the art department. A chapter on digital effects as they relate to the work of the art director has been added to this new edition.

Students, novices in the profession, and persons from other art/design fields who are interested in expanding into film and video will find this is a valuable resource.



· Completely revised and updated
· New chapter on special effects
- New 2-page color insert

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Full of useful illustrations and real-world examples, Art Direction gives the reader a practical look at what it takes to design a set" - Videomaker, April 2000

From the Publisher

Whether you are a student in production design, an artist looking to expand into the field, or just curious about what makes a good art director, you will discover practical, easy-to-apply answers in Art Direction for Film and Video, Second Edition. It also provides behind-the-scenes career insights to help further your career.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 2 edition (November 5, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240803388
• ISBN-13: 978-0240803388
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #648,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quick and dirty, mildly entertaining., June 21, 2000

By 

Eric Fisk - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Art Direction for Film and Video, Second Edition (Paperback)

It's a great little book, although at first I was disappointed with the size. I bought it to use give myself a crash course in Art Direction for my own Digital Motion Pictures. This short book was perfect: refreshed me in some area I knew a lot about, and introduced me to some concepts I was only slightly familiar with and pointed out some weak areas that needs a lot of work. It also pointed me in the direction for resources such as architectural magazines. It sometimes reads like a glossary you find in the back of a textbook with a few spots of humor to keep the reader/me from falling asleep. What I liked the most were the few anecdotal stories (some from actual motion pictures, some from 'lets imagine' scenarios) that were used to make a point. Two nights in a row I was up until midnight reading this book and the time went by fast... It could have used a lot more detail and examples, getting deeper into the subject matter. If the author invests some time in writing an advanced edition; I'll be the first to order a copy.

For someone like myself when time is money, and it's hard to justify spending time on anything besides composing and rendering, or money on anything besides equipment ... this book made me happy that took a risk. Quick and dirty, mildly entertaining.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars This book was of no use to me, December 26, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Art Direction for Film and Video, Second Edition (Paperback)

This book offers only the most basic information on the various processes and responsibilities of a motion picture art department. It doesn't focus in a significant way on anything, and at times gives what I think is poor advice.If you have absolutely no experience on a motion picture art department and no common sense, it may be of some use. It would be better however to take an art department PA aside and speak with them for twenty minutes about their experience. A much better and highly reccomended book for both inspiration and a more intimate understanding of the Art Department and the role it plays is "By Design" which is a collection of interviews with some accomplished Production Designers.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quick and dirty, mildly entertaining., June 19, 2000

By 

Eric Fisk - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Art Direction for Film and Video, Second Edition (Paperback)

Being the first to review this book is a dawnting task. Then again I thouhgt that getting through his book would be a daunting task when I purchased it here on line... but that wasn't the case. The biggest chore I had with this book was waiting for it to arrive!

It's a great little book, although at first I was disapointed with the size. I bought it to use give myself a crash course in Art Direction for my own Digital Motion Pictures. This short book was perfect: refreshed me in some area I knew a lot about, and introduced me to some conepts I was only slightly familure with and pointed out some weak areas that needs a lot of work. It sometimes reads like a glossary you find in the back of a textbook with a few spots of humor to keep the reader/me from falling asleep. What I liked the most were the few anecdotal stories (some from actual motion pictures, some from 'lets imagin' sencerios) that were used to make a point. Two nights in a row I was up until midnight reading this book and the time went by fast... It could have used a lot more detail and exsamples, getting deeper into the subject matter. If the author invests some time in writing an advanced edition; I'll be the first to order an copy.

For someone like myself when time is money, and it's hard to justify spending time on anything besides composing and rendering or money on ... this book make me happy that took a risk.