The Complete Idiot's Guide to Filmmaking [Paperback]

Joanne Parrent (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 341 pages
• Publisher: Alpha; 1st edition (March 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028643402
• ISBN-13: 978-0028643403
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,373,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank God I found this book!, October 11, 2002

By 

J. Blevins (Los Angeles, Ca USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Filmmaking (Paperback)

This book was an enormous help for me. As an (former) amateur in the 'biz', there were techniques contained within that helped me put my script into shape for presentation. The top ten reasons why scripts get rejected inspired me to rethink my structure before I submitted it for representation. I made quick changes, and actually obtained representation by an agent who was impressed with my work. Had I not consulted this manual, I probably would have been rejected....again.

By keeping things simple and readable for a low level audience, the author keeps the pespective on the basic fundamentals of writing and shooting for beginners. This book will not provide you with equipment, motivation, or experience, you have to provide your own.

The chapter on directing, and in particular the areas of creating movement and the rules of three, were valuable tools for me when I shot my first short. Since I did not go to USC film school, nor is my family in the 'biz', these tips really helped me out and were crucial in my completing a competent product that I was able to submit to Slamdance.

Now I can save the $20,000.00 I would have spent at film school and shoot another short, and gain more hands-on experience.

I was puzzled by a previous bitter review of this book. This text is only a guide for beginners, and clearly not meant for the seasoned, well established professional. If you have knowledge of, and access to, complex and sophisticated equipment, along with the skills to operate it, you obviously don't need this manual. I did.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative, January 14, 2005

By 

D. Janulaitis - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Filmmaking (Paperback)

One of the best books around if you want to get your foot in the movie business door. Give you indepth facts from financing your move to actually making it. Don't pass this book up it could make your dreams of being a filmmaker come to life.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars even if you know nothing about film, good deal, March 27, 2004

By 

Veloci86 "bibliophile" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Idiot's Guide to Filmmaking (Paperback)

As an aspiring filmmaker, I have found the opening sections, describing the history of the film industry, the basics of film theory, and production basics, the most helpful. Joanne Parrent provides an ideal springboard. Even a budding film critic will find these chapters informative and necessary.
The latter sections of the book describe scriptwriting, production schedules, budgeting, editing, post-production, and distribution. Clearly, Parrent intends this book to be kept at the filmmaker's side during each stage of production of her first film-and subsequent films. It will be at my side.