Practical DV Filmmaking [Audiobook] [Paperback]

Russell Evans (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240516575 | ISBN-13: 978-0240516578 | Publication Date: June 19, 2002

A guide for the complete beginner, Practical DV Filmmaking provides a practical guide to the process of making a film with low-cost digital equipment: from development through to production, post-production and distribution. Whilst the technical tools you need are fully explained, the book concentrates on filmmaking principles throughout, illustrating how these tools can be used to achieve stylistic approaches for innovative filmmaking.


The book assumes no background knowledge in either technology or filmmaking and is divided into four key areas:

DEVELOPMENT: turn your idea into a workable script, storyboard and schedule.

PRODUCTION: develop skills to shoot original short films and turn a zero-to-low budget to your advantage.

POST-PRODUCTION: learn basic editing techniques to enhance your original idea using iMovie, Premiere and Director. Free tryout software is included on the accompanying CD-ROM.

DISTRIBUTION: set up a website and use the internet to promote your film. Includes numerous links to useful websites. Plus top tips for how to enter a film festival.

Projects enable you to master each step of the process taking you through different aspects of filmmaking today. Gradually you will find out where your strengths lie and how to make the most of them. The book also encourages stylistic development by introducing theoretical approaches to filmmaking as well as a summary of 100 must-see films that demonstrate the principles of filmmaking. A glossary of terms plus an appendix of resources make this guide a one-stop essential handbook to DV filmmaking practice for beginners and students filmmakers.

Actively encouraging you to further your career the book investigates how to apply for entrance for film festivals, while the CD-Rom offers 3 different tryout versions of editing software; comprehensive lists of international film courses and festivals; information on promotion and publicity and how to build a website; a film budgeting template and interviews with some of the key figures in the industry today.

* Master low-budget filmmaking principles with easy step-by-step techniques and practical projects

* Develop a real world perspective through case studies and interviews with successful filmmakers

* Combine technical know-how with stylistic approaches to filmmaking.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...A very useful book that....features extensive technical information, but is concerned with aesthetics as well."
- American Cinematographer
'Practical DV Filmmaking will be of interest to many people I feel but especially those who find themselves asking questions like; Where do I start?; What's a storyboard?; What is DV?; How does the Camcorder work; and what sort of movie can I put together? Practical DV Filmmaking does an excellent job of answering these questions and maybe a couple of thousand others (I kid you not).'
- Des Owen, Creative Cow

Book Description

A complete low-budget filmmaking guide for beginners --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Focal Press (June 19, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240516575
• ISBN-13: 978-0240516578
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,007,646 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Russell Evans is a film and video lecturer, freelance writer, and magazine editor. He has written for many publications on filmmaking and photography, including Practical Digital Video, The Guardian, and Computer Arts. Evans has been working with emerging filmmakers for fifteen year, and many have gone on to successful careers in TV and film. Currently he is writing a comedy Web series. He is also the author of Practical DV Filmmaking (Focal Press).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The absolute best introduction to the field, January 14, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Practical DV Filmmaking (Paperback)

This book should be the first on every aspiring filmmakers shelf, and should be the next addition for every filmmaker who is already hard at work. Evans presents the information in a practical, well thought out format and supplies plenty of examples, sources of further information, and a ton of helpful internet links. If this book doesn't have enough depth for you, it will certainly point you in the right direction. The examples used are familiar films, both current and clasic (and of every genre), as well as examples from low budget and student films. All of these elements form the best book I've read about filmmaking aimed at the industrious DV pioneer. This book was actually more helpful than 4 years of film school classes. Buy this book, read it, and go make some movies.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, August 25, 2004

By 

Stephen L. Noe "Stephen L. Noe" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practical DV Filmmaking (Paperback)

The book itself is excellent and answered most of my questions. The depth of the book is in the supporting material. So many internet links to great content can take you months to read if you wanted to spend the time. Very intelligent in the layout. It gives you exercises to complete before you go to the next step and the exercises are designed to get you to know yourself as film maker and to get to know your equipment and tools (ie limitations). This book goes a long way in helping you realize yourself as a DV film maker.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tells you Everything you know!!!, January 3, 2006

By 

White Shark (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Practical DV Filmmaking, Second Edition (Paperback)

This book is fantastic. Evans outlines everything from the direction that audio waves are received depending on which external mic is used, to the compression rate for web movies. The book is incredibly up to date, as it should be considering it just came out. The set up of the book is very much like the 'for dummies' series, considering that there are projects along the way for you to undertake to sharpen your skills, along with info and ww link boxes. Most other books out there just outline what you need to do but don't tell you how to do things. This book really tells you what is going on when your making a film, and just doesn't say, if you do this then the picture will look pretty. He gets technical, and that's what needs to be said to give people getting into this a better understanding of what they are doing . He starts off with a great intro, for those who are just getting into digital filmmaking it really outlines what needs to be done to succeed. He identifies each technical aspect that he is going to cover, and then goes on to explain how you need to get to know your camera. Its obvious that a ton of research has been put into this book, as it really tells you everything you could possibly need to know. If you buy this book first then there really is no need for any other book out there. I've read this book cover to cover 1 time so far, and plan on reading it 2 more times.