Digital Movies with QuickTime Pro (Digital Filmmaking Series) [Paperback]

John Farrell (Author)

Book Description

Series: Digital Filmmaking Series | Publication Date: September 26, 2002

Do you have a cinematic story to tell? Are you interested in learning how to make independent productions using the popular and affordable QuickTime Pro? If so, you will find all the instructions you need in this hands-on guide. Digital Movies with QuickTime Pro is the first comprehensive book to teach home computer users (Windows or Mac) how to make digital movies from start to finish. It focuses on how QuickTime Pro can be used to make a feature-length digital movie, using tutorial footage from an actual independent movie shot in video and finished in QuickTime Pro. Geared toward aspiring and intermediate filmmakers, the book begins with comprehensive information on what cinematic effects to employ, and common screenwriting/shooting pitfalls to avoid. In addition, there is coverage of the key bushiness aspects of movie making, including how to form a corporation, develop a schedule, and scout for talent. From there users learn how to shoot cinematic DV footage and use QuickTime Pro as a stand-alone editing tool, or in conjunction with other popular editing software such as iMovie 2, Final Cut Pro 3, Discreet Cleaner 5.1, or Adobe Premiere 6. Once the film is edited, the various delivery methods are covered. QuickTime films can be burned to CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or displayed on a laptop. They can be streamed or downloaded to a Web site, or they can be output as composite video onto VHS. Whatever method your audience needs, you'll find details on how to deliver your finished work effectively.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Farrell (Brookline, MA) is a video producer and editor with over 20 years experience in independent, cable and broadcast production. He has been using QuickTime for movies and educational multimedia since 1995. He has contributed to online magazines such as Salon, National Review Online, About.com, Arts and Letters Daily and SciTech Daily. His recent digital feature of Shakespeare's Richard the Second was hailed by Hollywood Film Threat as "one of the finest contemporary Shakespeare films," and by the New York Times as "a startling way to present the play."

Product Details

• Paperback: 362 pages
• Publisher: Charles River Media; 1 edition (September 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584502118
• ISBN-13: 978-1584502111
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,479,665 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm an author and producer based in Boston. I write a blog called Progressive Download for Forbes and have also written for the Wall Street Journal, New Scientist, Huffington Post, National Review and Cosmos Magazine. My favorite writers include Alice Munro, Elmore Leonard, William Trevor, Bruce Sterling, Gene Wolfe, Sean B. Carroll and Herbert McCabe. Some of my published articles and short stories can be read at my website: www.farrellmedia.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Ultimate Guide to Digital Video, December 31, 2002

By 

Vinnylcom (Chilton, Alabama USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Digital Movies with QuickTime Pro (Digital Filmmaking Series) (Paperback)

For anyone wanting to learn how to film, produce video in digital format as well as conventional sources, this is the ultimate reference guide. It takes you through every step. From purchasing the right equipment even on a budget, tips on how to produce the perfect video and sound through to editing, encoding and delivery. Not only it is a must for beginners but an excellent source to professionals as the detailed information and recourses contained are second to none.

The book is divided into compressive chapters, which are very easy to follow and are written in plain English. Diagrams and pictures take you through all the necessary steps. Although the title "Digital Movies with QuickTime" falls short, yes the use of QT video is explained in great detail but also the use of other programs like iMovie, Final Cut Pro and Abobe Premiere as also perfectly explained. There is also the added bonus of Terrain Cleaner, which lets you export to other formats like Real Media, Windows Media as well as CD, VCD and DVD delivery.

The book includes aa CD with step by step references and examples. Personally I didn't get to use it as not being a beginner, I could relate to most of the explanations given just on the book. The author even goes to the extreme on teaching you how to do a professional film production, how to budget, hire actors, etc.

I strongly recommend this book, it's very well written, easy to follow and totally up to date.

Juan Aneiros
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