The Digital Filmmaking Handbook (with CD-ROM) (Graphics Series) [Paperback]

Ben Long (Author), Sonja Schenk (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1584500174 | ISBN-13: 978-1584500179 | Publication Date: May 15, 2000 | Edition: 1st

New video technology makes it possible to produce Hollywood-quality features, documentaries, training films, and a variety of other productions at a fraction of the cost of traditional film production. To master these digital tools or production, producers need to understand how to integrate these technologies with the traditional filmmakers' resources. If you are interested in, or are currently producing digital features, documentaries, or training material, everything you need to know about digital hardware, software, scripting, production, postproduction, and editing is included in this comprehensive resource. The book guides novice filmmakers through the entire production process, (covering both Windows and Macintosh platform issues), while helping experienced filmmakers discover how DV differs from what they already know. It's not just about video on your desktop, it's about using your desktop to create productions that can be distributed on the web, home video, broadcast television, projection or video including NTSC, PAL or DTV. The text: includes an in-depth analysis and comparison of the various digital video formats and cameras; details the various delivery formats including the Web, home video, TV, projection, and video (NTSC, PAL or DTV); and provides a detailed explanation of how to transfer digital video to film (including sample QuickTime movies of transferred footage). The CD-ROM includes sample productions to use in the learning process, demos of leading products, and other supporting files for the information covered in the book.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The title of The Digital Filmmaking Handbook is something of an oxymoron, because this thorough book covers everything you need to know about filmmaking production, from concept to screening. The only missing element is film itself.

Film and video production are in transition. Film and analog videotape rapidly are approaching the end of their technological lives, being replaced by digital videotape and digital cameras. You can buy computers that connect to DV cameras and edit DV tape almost anywhere, and they cost only slightly more than an entry-level computer. The Digital Filmmaking Handbook, then, is for anyone buying into the DV revolution who wants to do more than shoot home movies of the kids. It's for filmmakers young and old, professional and hobbyist, who want to learn to shoot, edit, and make great movies.

Unlike traditional filmmaking books, in which only the camera and some audio and editing equipment are addressed, part of this book approaches the medium from a computer hardware and software perspective. Numerous hardware issues like choosing the components for an editing workstation (chapter 5), the kind of digital video camera to use (chapter 6), selecting editing and audio software (chapter 7), and various output formats (chapter 18) are discussed. Also, there are chapters on effects, making video look like film (chapter 17), and digital titling (chapter 16).

The book never strays from speaking to moviemakers instead of moviemaking-gear buyers. Everything from preproduction tasks (such as scripting, storyboarding, and budgeting) to production tasks (like set preparation, lighting, filming (sans film), and sound recording) through final editing, color correction, titles, and output is explained. Filmmaking is heavily dependent on technology, and each of these subjects is well covered. Chapters on audio, for example, include selection of microphone types; differences between mic types; how to connect mics to a DV camera or synchronize audio in postproduction; how to control sound levels; and so on.

The chapter on editing reflects the experience of the authors. Films are understood through their own language, and how scenes are edited determines the dialect of that language. Such techniques as matching screen position, matching emotion and tone, matching action, when to use pauses and overlapping edits, and the effect of pauses and pull-ups (shortening a scene) are defined and justified.

If you can't get into NYU's film school--or even if you can--The Digital Filmmaking Handbook is a worthy reference to keep at your fingertips. --Mike Caputo

From the Publisher

KEY FEATURES:

* Comprehensive "how-to" resource for Digital Filmmaking from Scripting to production and release

* Covers Windows and Macintosh platform issues

* Teaches users how to set up their own workstation explaining all hardware and software concerns

* Includes an in-depth analysis and comparison of the various digital video formats and cameras

* Details the various delivery formats including the Web, home video, TV, projection, and Video (NTSC, PAL or DTV)

* Provides detailed explanation of how to transfer digital video to film (including sample QuickTime movies of transferred footage)

* CD ROM includes sample production to use in the learning process, demos of leading products, and other supporting files for the information covered in the book

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 548 pages
• Publisher: Charles River Media; 1st edition (May 15, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584500174
• ISBN-13: 978-1584500179
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,508,442 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A goldmine of information, August 14, 2000

By 

David Fanning (London, UK United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Digital Filmmaking Handbook (with CD-ROM) (Graphics Series) (Paperback)

You know if those Blair Witch guys had read this book it may have helped avoid that horrible home-made look. But seriously this book takes you from the very beginning of filmmaking, those first shakey steps, and gives you all the info to make your own Blair Witch (only better). Although this book looks at the digital filmmaking process, there is tons of really useful info on all aspects of making a movie. The most useful bits have been the nitty gritty aspects of what formats to use for different jobs. NTSC, PAL and HDTV are all covered, along with the different types of tape formats. But the best thing about this book is that it has all the answers. You want to know how to present a script, pitch it, storyboard it, shoot it, edit it and release it, it is all here. It is a goldmine for any aspiring filmmaker, not just film-school hopefuls, but anybody.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding DV Resource, January 20, 2001

By 

Tillman J. Ragan, Ph.D. (University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Digital Filmmaking Handbook (with CD-ROM) (Graphics Series) (Paperback)

This is not a typical book in its field. Two qualities of Long & Schenk's Digital Filmmaking Handbook make it stand out.

First, it takes the topic further than any other I have seen, all the way from low-budget production such as a small training department might engage in to theatrical release feature films. This breadth is not achieved at the expense of quality or thoroughness, as the book has exceptionally helpful content on all the topics it covers.

Second, the organization and style of the book are exceptionally clear, readable, and delightful. The authors kept the goal of communicating key information clearly in mind during the writing of this book to an unusual extent and effect. Unlike some technical books which are deadly dull and others which use attempted humor in such broad strokes as to be distracting, Long and Schenk's carefully used, precise and delicate wit adds meaning as well as interest.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to Digital Filmmaking., June 26, 2001

By 

"vanderen" (Dillon, MT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Digital Filmmaking Handbook (with CD-ROM) (Graphics Series) (Paperback)

I purchased this book as a reference in using my new Digital 8 camcorder. I was looking for something that would be an introduction to the theory of digital filmmaking and technical reference to make my home videos look good and maybe get me started in small MPEGs for use on the internet. The book has an engaging, easy to read style. It is a general overview of video/film production and editing. It makes clear that running the camera is a very small part of a very large and complex process. If you have a dream of writing and producing a screenplay, this book will lay out the reality of the situation. Additionally, the book offers other references that provide more in depth information on specific subjects. The website is a nice idea, but like most of the book/cd/website combinations, large parts are still under construction since 3-28-2001. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for information on how to make better quality home videos and/or anyone dreaming of writing a screenplay.