Digital Filmmaking for Teens [Paperback]

Pete Shaner (Author), Gerald Everett Jones (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1592006035 | ISBN-13: 978-1592006038 | Publication Date: December 8, 2004 | Edition: 1

Within just the last few years, it's become possible for anyone with a personal computer and an inexpensive camcorder to shoot, edit, and publish a movie or music video. Knowing the secret tricks of the Hollywood pros enables readers to reproduce many of the shots and effects you've seen in blockbuster movies. Not yet fully realized, the "democratization of video" may well be one of the most significant social phenomena of the early 21st century. For example, more video footage exists for the morning of 9/11 than for any event in human history-not because of the news crews, but because of the prevalence of consumer DV camcorders on the scene. This book educates and encourages the young generation on how to be both capable and fearless about publishing their personal videos. There is a glut of digital video books aimed at the adult market, but the teen space is much less exploited. Most of the books available are either too technical or too application-oriented. Teens will learn that they don't need a studio full of old-fashioned multimillion-dollar film gear to get impressive results. With a solid foundation of and focus on the basics, readers also touch upon some advanced topics as well. Additionally, the final chapter of the book takes a look at "Going to the Next Level", which will be of significant use to teens who are looking to submit their work to the film festival and to colleges during the application process.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up–The highlight of this guide is the DVD included in the package with which one can watch some films made by teens in a workshop in New York. One of the first pieces of advice is that the majority of filmmaking time will be spent editing. Knowing this information makes the film samples even more fascinating and the contents are given perspective, for only 2 of the 10 chapters are specifically about shooting the film. The other sections describe equipment, storyboarding, lighting, planning, editing, adding music, and releasing the film. Chapters are organized into a series of how-to instructions embedded with definitions, tips, and notes. Images and components seem contradictorily static and colorless for a catalyst for creativity; however, the instructions and suggestions are meticulously documented and easy to follow. This book is for novices and for filmmakers who wish to learn a bit more, and could serve as a superb guide for filmmaking at home or as a text for a class. Teens are the target audience, though this title will be useful to all who wish to produce their own digital movies.–Jodi Kearns, University of Akron, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

About the Author

Pete Shaner is a motion-picture write-director who has written and directed two independent features: Lover's Knot (starring Billy Campbell, Jennifer Grey, and Tim Curry) and Nicolas, a supernatural thriller (the first independent feature ever shot in 24P HD). In addition, he co-wrote and directed the second unit for the action movies Shootfighter and Shootfighter II. He also has written for the TV series JAG and worked as the on-set technical advisor for A Few Good Men. He teaches DV production and techniques at UCLA Extension.

Gerald Everett Jones has written more than 20 books on computer and business topics. His screenplay Ballpoint was accepted into the Screenwriter’s Lab of the Independent Feature Project/West. He is a past director of the Independent Writers of Southern California and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Writers Guild of America. Jones has professional expertise in computer graphics, industrial video, and Web site development and served as writer and executive producer of the InnRoom Shopping Network.

Product Details

• Paperback: 248 pages
• Publisher: Course Technology PTR; 1 edition (December 8, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1592006035
• ISBN-13: 978-1592006038
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,083,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not what I had hoped, December 4, 2009

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maximum verbosity (Ohio USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Digital Filmmaking for Teens (Paperback)

I bought this for my son who loves to make movies for YouTube, etc. thinking he might find some fun tips to add a little something extra to his movies. Unfortunately, he wasn't impressed with this book. It would have been nicer if it had more quick to find tips that would peak his interest enough to read the "boring" technical text, but it didn't. This book would be better for kids taking a formal class in film making or something, not for kids who just want to add some cool effects to their fun movies.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book! Worth Buying!, March 14, 2007

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D. Dugger "SOT" (ST. LOUIS, MO) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Digital Filmmaking for Teens (Paperback)

This book is worth every penny! Also the DVD it comes with is very helpful! It shows you how to do Hollywood-style tricks on a budget! I would highly recommend this book!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Starting Line, September 12, 2005

By 

Akop Plavdjian "lizik_angel_queen" (Anaheim, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Digital Filmmaking for Teens (Paperback)

I found the information in this book useful to me as an amateur filmmaker, but I believe that it would be just as useful to a starter. It's has both basic information as well as detailed explanations for the (amateur) teen filmmaker.