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Making Movies (Paperback)

~ (Author) "The entrance to the Ukrainian National Home is on Second Avenue between Eight and Ninth streets in New York City..." (more)
Key Phrases: New York, Orient Express, Dog Day Afternoon (more...)
4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's well known that a vast number of people work on any given movie in roles as varied as writing scripts, choosing locations, dressing sets, costuming the players, lighting scenes, manipulating the camera, directing actors, editing film, working on sound, advertising the finished product, and screening it to an audience. Have you ever thought about how these components are collated? Or why the director is most often considered the author of a film? Wonder no more, because Sidney Lumet's Making Movies is a terrific journey through each stage of filmmaking that is overseen by the director. Lumet, the veteran director of Twelve Angry Men, The Pawnbroker, Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon, Network, The Verdict, and many other fine movies, knows the ins and outs of American filmmaking as well as anyone. In this excellent, personable account, Lumet tells what he's learned about making movies in the course of the last 40 years. He shows why fine directors need to have strong imaginations, extraordinary adaptability, and skill in many different fields. His enthusiasm for his life's work, particularly his love of actors, is evident on every page of this book. As Herculean as the labors of film directing are, Lumet takes great pleasure in his work, almost guiltily admitting that the film director's job is "the best in the world."


From Publishers Weekly

Lumet, the acclaimed director of such films as Dog Day Afternoon and Network, presents an anecdotal insider's account of the key elements in filmmaking.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

  • Paperback: 218 pages
  • Publisher: Vintage (March 19, 1996)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0679756604
  • ISBN-13: 978-0679756606
  • Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.3 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #64,063 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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    #93 in  Books > Entertainment > Movies > Direction & Production

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Customer Reviews

32 Reviews
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Average Customer Review
4.7 out of 5 stars (32 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Bought for the wrong reason...still worth it, November 17, 2000
By Andy Orrock (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)      
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A friend recommended this book saying, "I'm not sure you want to learn about making movies, but this is a great project management book."

Well...I could see his point, but I didn't feel the same way about the book. There's a thin thread throughout about the way Lumet conducts his movie project, most evident in the book's best chapter (7) entitled "Shooting the Movie: At Last!" The pieces of the puzzle all fall together at that point, and you get a true sense of everyone's responsibilities and how Lumet plans and uses these resources. So yeah, that's project management.

But if you're going to buy this book, buy it because you're interested in how movies get made, starting right from how a script is chosen, through to the preview. From that perspective, it's a great book. Again, in the book's best chapter, you get a sense for just how draining - and unglamourous - it is to actually shoot the movie. Early pick-ups, lots of work with stand-ins to get the set (esp. lighting) right, multiple takes, late-night viewing of rushes. This is tough work, and Lumet describes it clear, concise language. And he pulls no punches as to where his frustrations lay in the process.

Roger Ebert's cover blurb states "I am sometimes asked if there is one book a filmgoer could read to learn more about how movies are made and what to look for while watching them. This is the book." I'd say that's a very accurate summation of what you'll find here.

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Director's On The Line., May 6, 2003
By Burak Kilic (Istanbul, TURKEY) - See all my reviews
I've read 'Making Movies' for my 'Visual Communication' class, in which we examined visual sources that ranged from pictorial representations to actual films. I must admit, however, that the book was a real joy to read, and Lumet a master to know closely.

As the other reviewers have mentioned, Lumet's style makes it easy for everyone to understand and get a grasp of what it takes to shoot a movie, from reading a scenario, to bringing together a cast, from dealing with actors to trying to stay within the budget. The book's procession is designed in such a way, that your curiosity increases as you flip through the chapters. (You begin to wonder if the film's going to get ready in time.)

Lumet, as the director of many films, should be considered as a real master in the film industry. He has worked with important actors such as Sean Connery frequently, and succeeded in putting together remarkable films, like 'Twelve Angry Men'. He tells the audience exactly how he's felt and what he's thought during the making of the movies. He expresses the stress he's had when the actors did not show up on time, when the weather conditions changed dramatically or when the production company announced to cut off a significant portion of the film budget. He also depicts his delight when he's got astonishing performance from his actors and actresses, when the cameraman managed to do a better job than he had even planned. His telling of these remarks are inspiring, indeed.

'Making Movies' is a great source, although not necessarily a technical source, for all people either working or interested in the film world. A wonderful book to both read and have in shelf.

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22 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars Aptly titled, mostly, December 22, 1998
By D. Lee "Fire Horse" (Thousand Oaks, California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Making Movies (Hardcover)
Get this book if you want to know what a year-in-the-life of a powerhouse filmmaker is like. If you are a beginner with an indie, much of Lumet's experiences are not going to apply. They are simply going to make you want to work harder on your indie so that you can get where he got! However, Lumet does NOT deceive. He never promises you any how-to information. He simply calls his book "Making Movies", and that is exactly the subject matter to which he sticks. His honesty does not go unnoticed, although he maybe should have called the book, "Making MY Movies".
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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars IT'S A FINE ART TO DIRECTING
I've read this book and found it an excellent source for the 'real' story behind making movies. Lumet gives the reader a true insight into the how's and why's of what he believes... Read more
Published 1 month ago by D. Reitknecht

5.0 out of 5 stars intership 101 with Sidney Lumet
I can only say how greatful I am to Mr. Sidney Lumet for taking the time to share his vast experience while gaining the tools to take a story and keep it flowing regardless to... Read more
Published 3 months ago by D. S. BELL

4.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to movies for budding film-makers
I did not know Sidney Lumet before I read this book as I do not stay in the US. After reading the book, I realized that here was a highly accomplised film-maker who yet had that... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Contrarian

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring Read For Filmmakers
Sure Lumet has been making large Hollywood movies for decades but the morals of his stories are just as important for any serious low-budget director. Read more
Published 10 months ago by J. Spence

5.0 out of 5 stars Lumet = Genius
As a filmmaker, I've read several books on writing, directing, and production, but this by far has been my favorite. I devoured it in a few days. Read more
Published 13 months ago by Erika Cervantes

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful.
As has been abundantly stated by other reviewers, this is an interesting book for both movie lovers & movie makers. Read more
Published 16 months ago by F. Felix

5.0 out of 5 stars No greater insite into the mind of a great director...
Sidney Lumet is a tremendous director who has worked with some of Hollywood's finest. In this book, Making Movies, Mr. Read more
Published 17 months ago by J. Jewett

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for thos studying film!
This book was fantastic, and I recommend this to all ppl intersted in films, especially students. It really brings a reality check to it all and makes you love filmmaking even... Read more
Published on July 5, 2007 by M. Anderson

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, and Still Informative
I got this book as a gift for my younger sister, a film major. It goes through the process of making a movie from rehearsal to release, with a lot of anecdotes and examples for... Read more
Published on April 2, 2007 by Beedoo

5.0 out of 5 stars Interesing, fun and insightful
Lumet's book is very well written. He has done a great service to movie lovers everywhere who want to learn more about the process of filmmaking. Read more
Published on May 17, 2005 by J. Lamarca

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