Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video [Paperback]

David K. Irving (Author), Peter W. Rea (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 7, 1995 | ISBN-10: 0240801881 | ISBN-13: 978-0240801889

Taking the reader from script to final product, Peter Rea and David Irving clearly illustrate all of the steps involved in pre-production, production, post production and distribution. Their unique two-fold approach looks at filmmaking from the
perspectives of both producer and director and explains how their separate energies must combine in order to create a successful short film.

There are extensive examples from two award-winning short narrative films (Lunch Date and Truman) and one short documentary (Mirror Mirror) and fascinating, insightful quotes from the filmmakers themselves describing the problems they encountered and how they solved them. Rounding out the book are stills and scripts from the three films, samples of various production forms, and appendices with information on festivals, grants, insurance and film schools.

Describes all the steps of making a short film from pre-production to distribution.
Contains extensive examples from award winning films.
Includes a unique two-fold approach to filmmaking.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'..I would recommend Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video to
anyone who would like a better understanding of the elements of
film-making.'
Despatches, May 1996

From the Publisher

There are extensive examples from two award-winning short narrative films (Lunch Date and Truman) and one short documentary (Mirror Mirror) and fascinating, insightful quotes from the filmmakers themselves describing the problems they encountered and how they solved them. Rounding out the book are stills and scripts from the three films, samples of various production forms, and appendices with information on festivals, grants, insurance and film schools.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press (June 7, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240801881
• ISBN-13: 978-0240801889
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,870,695 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Excellent Starter Book, September 5, 2002

By 

J. R Rodriguez "Scunck" (Bronx, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video, Second Edition (Paperback)

For a person curious about creating a short film, this book will help you. This book breaks down the function and importance of each individual person involved in the making of a short film, how certain problems were encountered and resolved, provides websites for other film affiliated tools and/or questions and answers, and points you to certain short films which can inspire you. A plus for anyone willing to get into movie production on short films.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A textbook reference rather than a home video editor's guide, August 5, 2010

By 

Damodar Chetty (Minnesota, US [www.swengsol.com]) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video, Fourth Edition (Paperback)

(What's this?)

Before I begin, let me admit that I mistook this title to be one of the many how-tos on home video production. This is anything but.

It is not an understatement to say this is as complete a treatment of the art of movie making as I have ever encountered and is geared towards the serious student of professional film making. Unfortunately, I'm at most a dabbler in the art.

Fortunately for me, I'm an avid fan of cinema, and so this book did give me a deeper glimpse into what goes on behind the scenes of movie-making - a lot deeper than what the "Making Of" snippets that I'd find on movie discs.

For instance, in the chapter that covers the actor, you learn how stand-ins work to help you practice your camera movements, the importance of keeping your actor comfortable, and how to help guide your actor to perform (tight shots require less performance, and guiding an actor's eye line), and how apple boxes can be used to make an actor seem taller. In addition, you see how the assistant director creates "mini-stories" for the background characters in a scene (such as a crowded bar) so as to create a natural looking scene within which the primary and secondary characters perform. What's cool is that I didn't realize that the extras in such scenes are simply required to mime their actions (such as laugh without making a sound). The actual sound is added back in during post production.

As you can tell, there's a wealth of information in this book - but make no mistake - it's neither a coffee table book, nor is it a casual read. It feels and reads (and even weighs) like a textbook, and would be brilliant when used in a course.

Happy Reading!
~Damodar

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Here is a excellent and important textbook that delivers!!, December 28, 1998

By 

Priscilla Pointer (Santa Monica, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video (Paperback)

As an actor, interested in all aspects of film, I cannot imagine a more detailed and succinct introduction to this world. David Irving and Peter Rea have found a way to clarify all the difficult areas of film direction and production in one small wonderful book. All film students will be grateful.