Customer Reviews

The Portable Film School: Everything You'd Learn in Film School (Without Ever Going to Class)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book has two main advantages over other screenwriting books I've read:

(a) The friendly, conversational, humorous and self-effacing style of the author is a wonderful injection of self-confidence that cannot be underestimated.

(b) If, like me, your focus is on screenwriting, this book provides plain-speaking insight into the process of actually making a movie, as both writer and director.

Regarding (b): It had not occurred to me, before Gilles' book, that I needed to concern myself with `making' a movie, only with writing one. While I'm confident you can make it as a screenwriter without knowing the deeper merits of film vs. video, etc., this does prompt the newbie screenwriter to think beyond her script to the larger process involved in actually producing that script.

Mind you, I haven't taken his advice and actually made my own movie using a mini-DV camcorder - and, at times, I did have to coach myself to keep going through the film-making parts of the book - but I believe I'm better off knowing this stuff than not.

For me, the juiciest part of this book was when Gilles' advice in Lecture 15, "The Screenplay That Wouldn't End," came at the perfect moment and really saved my bacon.

I was writing my first screenplay from what I thought was a well-rounded treatment. I had the goal of finishing my first draft in one month, and working from the treatment was really making it flow. I never had writer's block, and all my sessions were a joy. I repeatedly racked up days of writing 6-8 pages and was ecstatic with my progress.

Suddenly, somewhere in Act III, I realized that the ending from my treatment was going to be far too insipid and would not do justice to the set-up. I had a vague idea in my mind for a new ending, but this idea involved so many logistics I didn't know how to make it all work. I didn't know how to write it.

I tried everything I could think of - brainstorming, asking my characters what they want, going for long walks, reading advice from screenwriting blogs, getting away from the computer altogether - but I was still stuck. Finally, I decided to use my enforced "down-time" to read Gilles' book. When I got to Lecture 15, this electrifying statement jumped out at me:

"Often, even with a solid outline or three-act storyline, a screenwriter will find herself approaching the middle of Act Three with the horrible realization that the ending she *thought* would happen is no longer the right ending."

What a relief to find out I wasn't alone with this problem. The simple advice given in the remainder of the chapter set me on fire to write my vaguely visualized new ending (first as a new ending for the treatment, and then as the final 30 pages of the script). The act of writing it cleared up the logistical problems and deepened the whole story.

This was not only creatively rewarding, but Gilles' sage advice also allowed me to meet my goal of finishing my first draft in one month.

I have plenty more to learn before I attempt my first rewrite, but this breakthrough has taught me so much and given me a new level of confidence.

This was a great book for people who are just getting started. I've read a lot of books on filmmaking and made films, and I think there are better books on the subject. I was also alittle disappointed that a majority of the book talked about screenwriting. I was looking for something that talked more about the overall process. I figured something that talked about the things you learn in film school would discuss everything. But overall it is a good beginner book for the beginner filmmaker.

Sorry, but I was extremely disappointed by this book. The title is misleading. It's more of an motivational guide for high-schoolers which could have been condensed into a single page. With one exception, the sample screen play excerpts were intructive as to format layout and purpose, but otherwise those too could have been reduced to 3 or 4 pages. The book itself is portable... but I wouldn't pass it on.

I purchased this book while attending an intensive film course at NYU, and this book was an excellent complement to the course material. This is my second book I've read by D.B. Gilles. If you want to write your first screenplay, I'd suggest picking up "The Screenwriter Within," as well. Basically, anyone with a video camera can pick up this book and begin making short films. There are some neat exercises to get your creative juices flowing, but ultimately it's up to you to make your film. While it's difficult to find the self-discipline to be an independent filmmaker, this book points you in the right direction. You really have to be your own boss and entrepreneur. There are no teachers, parents or employers to create that structure for you. You have to be willing to go out and take risks, and realize that you will fail and make horrible films at first, but this book definitely shortens the learning curve. Buy this book before pumping $30,000 a year into film school. Will be the best $15 you ever spent.

This book was written for those of us who aspire to work in the motion picture industry. The author assumes that the reader already understands the basics of communicating with motion and sound, and for the most part discusses skills such as script writing, working with actors, and networking with people who work (or are trying to work) in the film industry.

I am pretty much the exact opposite of the book's intended audience: a still photographer and musician who is looking to learn the basic nuts and bolts of video and sound editing, and how to shoot better video footage and make the most of my DV camcorder and editing software. I am not really qualified to review this book, as it was not written for an amateur like me. It left out all the basic stuff I want to know, like the basic rules of editing and how to integrate sound and music with moving images coherently, so my videos don't look so much like home movies.

With all due respect to the author, I picked the wrong book for my needs. It's fairly interesting for reading in the bathroom, though.

-Cal

D.B Gilles' "The Portable Film School", was my aspiring screenwriter's introduction to the basics of the film industry; an excellent addition to his "The Screenwriter Within". D.B. Gilles shares his 20+ years of on-the-front-lines professional writing and teaching with practical insights to the Art, Craft, Business of Screenwriting and Filmmaking. My copy of "The Portable Film School", is a well-worn reference that sits next to my computer, where I find solutions to my creative needs.

All I can say is that this is the 3rd book by DB Gilles I've read and it's the 3rd book of his that has given me new insights into my career (or should I say the career I hope I'll have). His other books The Screenwriter Within and You're Funny! talked to me as if he were, well, "talking" to me. Some of the technology is outdated, but that's because the book first came out in 2005, but it's easy to figure out where the latest digital cameras and stuff have gone. A really cool, helpful book

Awesome book for anyone interested in making their own film. It lays everything out for you from writing the script to shooting. The majority is about story and script writing which is the basis for any good film and it's loaded with a lot of useful information. One of the best film books I've read.

I purchased this book in part with creating my own movies. I've read a large majority of screenwriting books before and this was a bit of a repeat for me (not that it's a bad thing). Though the exorcises are good, considering the books I've read want you to start with a full script (which is a daunting task for most people) whereas this book wants you to start off small(about five pages), much better for those who don't realize how hard it is to pump out a 110 page script..let alone one that size on a deadline.

There are better books out there for editing, directing, lighting etc., but this book gives you a basic understanding and gives you sources and other books to read and move on. This book isn't an "end all, beat all" and the author knows it. He realizes that someone in film school will have a more rounded education than those who only read this book, but that shouldn't stop anyone. It's a good read for even those in film school too.

But at the end of the day, if you want to start making your own films, short or Hollywood sized, this would be a great book to have on your shelf. It's on mine.

This book is perfect for beginners. That's pretty much it. If you are aspiring to be a filmmaker, definitely get this book.