Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video, Second Edition [Paperback]

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

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0240803949 | ISBN-13: 978-0240803944 | Publication Date: December 1, 2000 | Edition: 2

Considered by many to be the definitive book on the subject, Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video, Second Edition clearly illustrates all of the steps involved in preproduction, production, postproduction, and distribution. Its unique two-fold approach looks at filmmaking from the perspectives of both producer and director, and explains how their separate energies must combine to create a successful short film or video-all the way from script to final product. This guide offers extensive examples from two award-winning short narrative films (Lunch Date and Truman) and one short documentary (Mirror Mirror), and includes insightful quotes from the filmmakers themselves describing the problems they encountered and how they solved them.

This edition expands on the director's role in pre-visualizing a project, aided by the addition of more than 50 new photos and illustrations. Issues such as storyboarding, lighting, and composition are addressed in detail. Other additions and enhancements include a discussion of the evolving role of digital technology on all aspects of production from script to screen.

Producing and Directing the Short Film and Video, Second Edition is accompanied by a companion website (www.focalpress.com/companions) containing useful forms and information on grants and financing sources, distributors, film and video festivals, film schools, internet sources for short works, and professional associations.

Whether you're a student or an independent filmmaker, this practical guide will demystify the process, and help you to develop and sharpen your skills as you tackle the challenges of making a short film or video.




Unique approach looks at the process from both the producer and the director's point of view

This edition includes significant revisions and updates to the study of post-production, and the evolving role of digital technology

Companion website offers useful forms plus information on grants and financing sources, distributors, internet sources, and more

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This how-to book provides you with beneficial information, even if you aren't looking to make professional films or videos. The book breaks down the entire process. The authors have created an indespensable tool for any producer, regardless of experience level." - Videomaker Magazine, May 2001

"A thoughtful and comprehensive guide to all aspects of making a short film. I wish a practical, nuts-and-bolts guide like this had existed when I was a film student."-Susan Seidelman, director, Desperately Seeking Susan, Smithereens, and Sex in the City

"A veritable bible, valuable for both the short and feature filmmaker. It's as good as a year in most film schools."-Jon Davison, producer, Airplane, Robocop, and Starship Troopers

"Without question, the definitive book on the film production. A long-awaited, necessary map to the young filmmaker in his journey through the mine fields of movie making. I would keep it next to the viewfinder."-Michael Pressman, film director, producer of The Practice, Chicago Hope, and Picket Fences

"This volume will easily become an indispensable source book for both students and practicing filmmakers. The wealth of information on all aspects of film production is truly impressive. The quoted filmmakers' notes and the practical examples of their production problems illustrate very well the ideas and recommendations of this book."-Kris Malkiewicz, film professor, California Institute of the Arts, author of Cinematography

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. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 376 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; 2 edition (December 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240803949
• ISBN-13: 978-0240803944
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #452,756 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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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.