Directing, Third Edition: Film Techniques and Aesthetics (Screencraft Series) [Paperback]

Michael Rabiger (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240805178 | ISBN-13: 978-0240805177 | Publication Date: April 10, 2003 | Edition: 3

Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics is a comprehensive manual that teaches the essentials of filmmaking from the perspective of the director. Ideal for film production and directing classes, as well as for aspiring and current directors, Directing covers all phases of preproduction and production, from idea development to final cut. Thoroughly covering the basics, Directing guides the reader to professional standards of expression and control, and goes to the heart of what makes a director. The book outlines a great deal of practical work to meet this goal, with projects, exercises.



The third edition emphasizes the connection between knowing and doing, with every principle realizable through projects and exercises. Much has been enhanced and expanded, notably: aspects of dramaturgy; beats and dramatic units; pitching stories and selling one's work; the role of the entrepreneurial producer; and the dangers of embedded moral values. Checklists are loaded with practical recommendations for action, and outcomes assessment tables help the reader honestly gauge his or her progress. Entirely new chapters present: preproduction procedures; production design; script breakdown; procedures and etiquette on the set; shooting location sound; continuity; and working with a composer. The entire book is revised to capitalize on the advantages offered by the revolutionary shift to digital filmmaking.

*Comprehensive manual that dissolves the barriers between the aesthetic, conceptual, and technical

*Completely updated to reflect the revolutionary shift to digital filmmaking

*Practical exercises throughout along with detailed outcomes assessments to judge progress

Editorial Reviews

Review

"As he has in previous editions of "Directing," Michael Rabiger continues to offer a complete and comprehensive overview of virtually all aspects of directing, from ideas to budgeting, from casting to editing. From my viewpoint there is no comparable book on the market."
-Eric Swelstad, Department Chair - Media Arts, Los Angeles Valley College

Praise for the 3rd Edition:
"This is the single most valuable guide for both novice and seasoned practitioner...The new edition continues to be the comprehensive text for learning directing, integrating the rapid changes in technology with what was already a superbly detailed step-by-step text." -- Jameson Goldner, professor of cinema at San Francisco State University

"This is the only comprehensive book on filmmaking that I recommend to my students", Jeremy Kagan, USC Graduate Film School; Artistic Director Sundance Institute

"It is an inspirational and comprehensive book that also goes into the art of story construction for the screen ..."

Book Description

The classic best-selling manual for directors, now completely updated for the digital age

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 560 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 3 edition (April 10, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240805178
• ISBN-13: 978-0240805177
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #434,906 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Michael Rabiger has directed or edited over 35 films, founded the Documentary Center at Columbia College, Chicago, and was Chair of its Film/Video Department. Now Professor Emeritus, Rabiger has also been presented with the Preservation and Scholarship Award by the International Documentary Association. He has given workshops in many countries, led a multinational European documentary workshop for CILECT, the international association of film schools. As Visiting Professor at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, he taught idea development, directing, and advanced production. When he retired 2001 to write full-time, Columbia renamed its documentary center "The Michael Rabiger Center for Documentary." In 2002 he was made Honorary Professor at the University of Buenos Aires, Argentina; in 2003 awarded the 2003 Preservation and Scholarship Award by the International Documentary Association in Los Angeles; in 2005 the Genius Career Achievement Award by the Chicago International Documentary Festival, and also in 2005 was made Professor Emeritus by Columbia College Chicago. He is the author of the enormously successful, Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics (Focal Press), and Directing the Documentary (Focal Press). He is also the author of Developing Story Ideas (Focal Press).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Essential primer for any (semi-)serious filmmaker/student., April 29, 2002

By 

LPK - See all my reviews

This review is from: Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics, Second Edition (Paperback)

Kudos to Mr. Rabiger for making a comprehensive manual tackling issues from script to rehearsal to mise-en-scène fundamentals to editing. He dispels the myth that film directing is that illustrious, far-away, somehow unobtainable form of "magic." Instead, he spends 500+ pages explaining technique, and offering advice that, in a subtle way, is saying "Get off your ass and make films." The point here is NOT to create a masterpiece the first time out. It's about making mistakes, picking yourself up, and trying again. And again. And again. Success in film will NEVER come overnight. He makes that point perfectly clear. He also stresses the importance of learning how and why great films remain great---hint: analysis. Learning the principles of areas like screenwriting, acting, cinematography, and editing are essential. It's like taking apart a machine, learning how it works, then re-assembling it, with a better understanding of its nature. But make sure the theory goes into practice. Otherwise, this book will be a waste of money.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most complete guides to filmmaking, November 28, 2000

By 

"snowcatguy" (Eugene, OR USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics, Second Edition (Paperback)

This book is designed as a textbook for an aspiring film student. It covers all the basic skills that are necessary in making a movie. It is very complete.

Aside from the useful technical knowledge in this book, which alone would give it 5 stars, Rabinger has the student/reader do excercises that has the student develop their own sense of asthetics. Of all the books on filmmaking that I've read, this is one of the most comprehensive, and consequently, most valuable.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book should be more famous, March 20, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Directing, Third Edition: Film Techniques and Aesthetics (Screencraft Series) (Paperback)

This book doesn't seem to be particularly famous, but it's one of the best books out there on the spirit of the artist as well as the nuts and bolts part of directing. I've bought about three or four feet of books and this is a keeper. You'll refer to it many times and read different chapters at different moments. It's a mature book that doesn't pander to just the dreamers. The cute books are for the dreamers. This one's for the terrified but willing. His other book, "Developing Story Ideas" is good as well.