The Digital Filmmaking Handbook (Digital Filmmaking Series) (Paperback)

by Ben Long (Author), Sonja Schenk (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The title of The Digital Filmmaking Handbook is something of an oxymoron, because this thorough book covers everything you need to know about filmmaking production, from concept to screening. The only missing element is film itself.

Film and video production are in transition. Film and analog videotape rapidly are approaching the end of their technological lives, being replaced by digital videotape and digital cameras. You can buy computers that connect to DV cameras and edit DV tape almost anywhere, and they cost only slightly more than an entry-level computer. The Digital Filmmaking Handbook, then, is for anyone buying into the DV revolution who wants to do more than shoot home movies of the kids. It's for filmmakers young and old, professional and hobbyist, who want to learn to shoot, edit, and make great movies.

Unlike traditional filmmaking books, in which only the camera and some audio and editing equipment are addressed, part of this book approaches the medium from a computer hardware and software perspective. Numerous hardware issues like choosing the components for an editing workstation (chapter 5), the kind of digital video camera to use (chapter 6), selecting editing and audio software (chapter 7), and various output formats (chapter 18) are discussed. Also, there are chapters on effects, making video look like film (chapter 17), and digital titling (chapter 16).

The book never strays from speaking to moviemakers instead of moviemaking-gear buyers. Everything from preproduction tasks (such as scripting, storyboarding, and budgeting) to production tasks (like set preparation, lighting, filming (sans film), and sound recording) through final editing, color correction, titles, and output is explained. Filmmaking is heavily dependent on technology, and each of these subjects is well covered. Chapters on audio, for example, include selection of microphone types; differences between mic types; how to connect mics to a DV camera or synchronize audio in postproduction; how to control sound levels; and so on.

The chapter on editing reflects the experience of the authors. Films are understood through their own language, and how scenes are edited determines the dialect of that language. Such techniques as matching screen position, matching emotion and tone, matching action, when to use pauses and overlapping edits, and the effect of pauses and pull-ups (shortening a scene) are defined and justified.

If you can't get into NYU's film school--or even if you can--The Digital Filmmaking Handbook is a worthy reference to keep at your fingertips. --Mike Caputo --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
With the advent of digital video and desktop editing software, scores of independent producers have found themselves equipped to make their own movies. Because filmmaking involves much more than just buying a camera and a computer, there’s The Digital Filmmaking Handbook. This one-stop digital filmmaking resource guides aspiring filmmakers from initial conception to getting a finished project "in the can." From writing and preproduction planning to shooting and post-production editing and effects, this book will serve as the single-volume film school. Completely updated and revised, this third edition includes thorough information on a number of important new DV technologies including HDV, a very affordable new standard that lets even low-budget producers work in high-definition video. The expanded lighting and shooting chapters include new technical information as well as a wealth of new theory. New exercises offer help with everything from writing to special effects, while all of the chapters have been revised to cover the very latest hardware, software, and production workflows. This book will help filmmakers understand the questions to ask so that they can better prepare for and solve the myriad problems throughout the production process. The companion DVD includes project files, film clips, support material for tutorials in the book, and additional video tutorials and essays.

FEATURES * Provides completely updated coverage of digital technology, software, and techniques * Teaches digital filmmaking from start to finish—storyboarding and budgeting, to casting, shooting, and finishing * Details the best hardware and software tools to use * Details new output methods, including coverage of DVD authoring * Includes a companion DVD with project files, film clips, and all support material for tutorials in the book. Also includes additional video tutorials and essays

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Product Details

• Paperback: 550 pages
• Publisher: Charles River Media; 3 edition (December 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584504382
• ISBN-13: 978-1584504382
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #310,143 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A goldmine of information, August 14, 2000

By	David Fanning (London, UK United Kingdom) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Digital Filmmaking Handbook (with CD-ROM) (Graphics Series) (CD-ROM)

You know if those Blair Witch guys had read this book it may have helped avoid that horrible home-made look. But seriously this book takes you from the very beginning of filmmaking, those first shakey steps, and gives you all the info to make your own Blair Witch (only better). Although this book looks at the digital filmmaking process, there is tons of really useful info on all aspects of making a movie. The most useful bits have been the nitty gritty aspects of what formats to use for different jobs. NTSC, PAL and HDTV are all covered, along with the different types of tape formats. But the best thing about this book is that it has all the answers. You want to know how to present a script, pitch it, storyboard it, shoot it, edit it and release it, it is all here. It is a goldmine for any aspiring filmmaker, not just film-school hopefuls, but anybody.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding DV Resource, January 20, 2001

By	Tillman J. Ragan, Ph.D. (University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Digital Filmmaking Handbook (with CD-ROM) (Graphics Series) (CD-ROM)

This is not a typical book in its field. Two qualities of Long & Schenk's Digital Filmmaking Handbook make it stand out.

First, it takes the topic further than any other I have seen, all the way from low-budget production such as a small training department might engage in to theatrical release feature films. This breadth is not achieved at the expense of quality or thoroughness, as the book has exceptionally helpful content on all the topics it covers.

Second, the organization and style of the book are exceptionally clear, readable, and delightful. The authors kept the goal of communicating key information clearly in mind during the writing of this book to an unusual extent and effect. Unlike some technical books which are deadly dull and others which use attempted humor in such broad strokes as to be distracting, Long and Schenk's carefully used, precise and delicate wit adds meaning as well as interest.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction to Digital Filmmaking., June 26, 2001

By	"vanderen" (Dillon, MT USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Digital Filmmaking Handbook (with CD-ROM) (Graphics Series) (CD-ROM)

I purchased this book as a reference in using my new Digital 8 camcorder. I was looking for something that would be an introduction to the theory of digital filmmaking and technical reference to make my home videos look good and maybe get me started in small MPEGs for use on the internet. The book has an engaging, easy to read style. It is a general overview of video/film production and editing. It makes clear that running the camera is a very small part of a very large and complex process. If you have a dream of writing and producing a screenplay, this book will lay out the reality of the situation. Additionally, the book offers other references that provide more in depth information on specific subjects. The website is a nice idea, but like most of the book/cd/website combinations, large parts are still under construction since 3-28-2001. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for information on how to make better quality home videos and/or anyone dreaming of writing a screenplay.