Film Directing Fundamentals: From Script to Screen (Paperback)

by Nicholas Proferes (Author) "Every film begins with a screenplay, ideally a good one..." (more)
Key Phrases: third dramatic block, second dramatic block, dramatic blocks, Female Cop, Madame Sebastian, The Truman Show (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"An admirable overview of the nuts and bolts of directing, Film Directing Fundamentals takes a unique approach in discussing the craft...Full of interesting observations, this book could be a welcome addition to the aspiring director's bookshelf." - Videomake Magazine

"For the aspiring director looking to develop craft and technique, this book would be a step in the right direction." - Kurt Patrick Turner

Advanced Praise:

“Just bring your talent, add a touch of luck, and the rest you will find in this book.” —Milos Forman, film director

“I am amazed by the simplicity with which Professor Proferes explicates complex ideas. Film Directing Fundamentals is valuable not only for film directors, but also for actors and anyone interested in the creation of dramatic art.” —Andrie Serban, international theatre and opera director, and Professor at Columbia University’s Theater Division

“Nick Proferes doesn’t tell you how to direct—which would be as silly as telling you what to direct. Instead, he does something much more valuable: He explains how directors actually think their way though the job.” —James Schamus, Associate Professor of Film at Columbia University, producer and screenwriter (The Ice Storm and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)

“There are many books on directing, but none in my opinion have the depth and accessibility of Nick Proferes’s. This treasure trove of insight and inspiration is a master class from a master teacher that clearly illuminates, step by step, the building blocks necessary to create meaningful cinematic storytelling with dramatic punch.” —Alex Zamm, director and screenwriter (Chairman of the Board, My Date with the President’s Daughter), and former student of the author -- Review

Review
"An admirable overview of the nuts and bolts of directing, Film Directing Fundamentals takes a unique approach in discussing the craft...Full of interesting observations, this book could be a welcome addition to the aspiring director's bookshelf." - Videomake Magazine

"For the aspiring director looking to develop craft and technique, this book would be a step in the right direction." - Kurt Patrick Turner

Advanced Praise:

"Just bring your talent, add a touch of luck, and the rest you will find in this book." —Milos Forman, film director

"I am amazed by the simplicity with which Professor Proferes explicates complex ideas. Film Directing Fundamentals is valuable not only for film directors, but also for actors and anyone interested in the creation of dramatic art." —Andrie Serban, international theatre and opera director, and Professor at Columbia University's Theater Division

"Nick Proferes doesn't tell you how to direct—which would be as silly as telling you what to direct. Instead, he does something much more valuable: He explains how directors actually think their way though the job." —James Schamus, Associate Professor of Film at Columbia University, producer and screenwriter (The Ice Storm and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon)

"There are many books on directing, but none in my opinion have the depth and accessibility of Nick Proferes's. This treasure trove of insight and inspiration is a master class from a master teacher that clearly illuminates, step by step, the building blocks necessary to create meaningful cinematic storytelling with dramatic punch." —Alex Zamm, director and screenwriter (Chairman of the Board, My Date with the President's Daughter), and former student of the author

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press (March 14, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240804228
• ISBN-13: 978-0240804224
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #916,791 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars practical approach to dramatic direction, February 6, 2007

By	Rockstone (Atlanta, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Film Directing Fundamentals, Second Edition: See Your Film Before Shooting (Paperback)

For an aspiring film or video director interested in analyzing scripts for dramatic elements and then planning the staging for the camera, this book is an outstanding introduction. It gives both a general overview of the process and then analyzes several scenes from famous films. its emphasis is on the dramatic content first, then the visual. It is not strong in the area of shot planning, storyboarding, or complex shot design sometimes seen in modern films. And it does not deal with subtle editing effects. But it is a good introduction to classic film direction and presented in a classroom style. Someone with a strong interest in film drama, from a viewer's point of view, might also find this book interesting.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not what, but why..., October 14, 2001

By	JAIME MARQUES "jaime171168" (MADRID, MADRID Spain) - See all my reviews

You will find many books telling you what to do and what not to do when facing the making of a film. Proferes goes far beyond that, showing us the way to find our own way: questioning our selves and questioning our work. After reading Profere's advices, your insight into your own work and motivatons should broaden and you will find how much potential lies behind the most simple idea if you look upon it with inquisitive eyes. Whenever writting or directing, you should keep this book handy. It's a "must-read" for any film maker.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent book, March 26, 2007

By	James Xabregas "JamesX" (Townsville, Australia) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Film Directing Fundamentals, Second Edition: See Your Film Before Shooting (Paperback)

This book is filled with valuable and helpful information for budding directors. I'm currently in the process of putting everything in this book to good use. The thing I like about this book is that it's not just one of those books that says you need to storyboard everything, because unless you have good drawing skills that really isn't feasible. The book gives an in depth look on how to pre-plan your film shot by shot and the use of floor plans to illustrate camera set-up's. It's so simple, but this is the type of thing that will make you prepared when you come to shoot, instead of just winging it.