The Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound (Book & CD-ROM) (Paperback)

by David L. Yewdall (Author) "This book is for everyone interested in sound..." (more)
Key Phrases: dialog mixer, sound librarian, dialog supervisor, Pro Tools, Academy Award, Group Walla (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"If you're looking for the best source of knowledge and inspiration between two covers, you have only one choice: David Yewdall's 'Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound. Yewdall goes back and forth between step-by-step explanation of every part of the craft and reminisces on his career, all the while never forgetting the end product--the art."
- Larry Blake, Mix Magazine -- Review --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review
"If you're looking for the best source of knowledge and inspiration between two covers, you have only one choice: David Yewdall's 'Practical Art of Motion Picture Sound. Yewdall goes back and forth between step-by-step explanation of every part of the craft and reminisces on his career, all the while never forgetting the end product--the art."
- Larry Blake, Mix Magazine --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 267 pages
• Publisher: Focal Press; Book & CD edition (September 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0240802888
• ISBN-13: 978-0240802886
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,065,070 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sound ShowBiz Advice from David Yewdall, M.P.S.E., June 7, 2000

By	Pamela Curry (United States) - See all my reviews

Few filmmaking textbook writers give a reader all the information needed in a textbook to label it one of the top ten books for self-starters in the film industry. This one contains: Technical information about recording sound and about post-production, a practical guide to motion picture set protocal (when to say action), budgeting information and how to avoid budgeting errors based on actual filmmaker's experiences.

The author shows sample budgets and explains in detail with specific examples how using some popular budgeting software, that leaves out "line items", will push a film's expenses over budget (Waterworld!). He offers his personal experience about how people who sign contracts for a production, who have no knowledge of the process, often do not interpret a contract correctly for foley and other post-production sound. This contract mistake can make a budget skyrocket. His emphasis on equating budget control with artistic control makes this a top ten book for aspiring or working Producers and Directors, as well as Sound Professionals.

In my last few years running a website for alternative learning in the filmmaking industry, after reviewing about 70 textbooks, I have yet to find ten books that give professionals with no inside knowledge of the film industry both practical step-by-step insider knowledge of the business as well as artistic and technical information that is understandable to persons with basic skills. I interpret basic skills as technical (camera, computer), artistic (creative), and business.

Tomlinson Holman's Sound for Film and Television textbook is almost wholly technical compared to Yewdall's Practical Art. Holman is the creator of the THX sound system.

For all the reasons above and particularly for Yewdall's use of plain language and specific examples, this textbook is on my list of top ten books, to read and own, as an alternative or supplement to actual hands on experience in the filmmaking industry!

Pamela Curry/Webmaster, Film Director in Training, Film Studio Faux

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good overview of sound for films, April 27, 2001

By	Jason White (London, Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I found the book very entertaining to read, Yewdall tells many personal stories which he uses to illustrate points. In fact, I read it more like a novel. He passes his knowledge, and experience to the reader through stories of things he's done, and has seen in his many years recording, producing and creating sound for motion pictures. Some is fact, some is opinion, but his opinions are clear and are backed-up with his own unique style of logic.

There are also more technical areas of the book that cover topics like mic placement, how to record cars/explosions/dialogue, how to catalogue your own sound effects libary, etc. This book would also be useful to directors and producers who want better sound in their films. There's definately lots to learn about sound, and the author has done a good job giving the reader an idea about what motion picture sound is all about.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars State-of-the-Art Info on Movie Sound Design, July 2, 2000

By	Marc Wielage (Northridge, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Author/recordist David Yewdall does a terrific job explaining the highly-technical goings-on behind the scenes in the world of film sound. Recording, mixing, dubbing, and digital audio techniques are all covered in a way that never talks over the reader's head.

The content is absolutely state-of-the-art (as of mid-2000), and is the first thorough book I've ever seen on the subject. Anybody who's interested in recording sound for TV or films -- high budget, low budget, or inbetween -- will get something positive out of this book. Highly recommended!