Must-Have Books?

[vertigo]

Well, it's almost that time of the year again, Christmas, and my family, like always, has no clue what to get me. So they're asking me to compile a list of some things that I want. I was wondering if any of you could suggest maybe like, 3 or 4 must-have books? Anything from cinematography to lighting and audio, etc. Currently I own Rebel Without a Crew, The Guerilla Filmmaker's Handbook, The Guerilla Filmmaker's Blueprint, and $30 Film School. Thanks to anyone who replies.

[J.R. Hudson]

Sounds like you already have the "Make a film!" books covered; now lets get into practice and theory!

I have these 2 that I like:

Cinematography: Image Making for Cinematographers, Directors, and Videographers by Blain Brown

Myth and the Movies: Discovering the Mythic Structure of 50 Unforgettable Films
by Stuart Voytilla

Visions of Light: The Art of Cinematography (1993) DVD
~ Conrad L. Hall

I'd consider getting this: (As I am)

The Five C's of Cinematography by Joseph V. Mascelli


This is kind of dated but very cool.

[Shane Realm]

If you own a DVX100 then: The DVX Book by Barry W. Green

:)

[Terry_Lasater]

I concur within the realm of Shane Realm. *??? :D

Oh, yeah and...
The 5 C's of Cinematography - Mascelli (D'Oh! I just noticed Hudson listed this in his post.)

Film Directing Shot by Shot - Katz

[TC]

Jay Rose's audio books.
John Jackman's Lighting book.

[Jim Brennan]

All of those ( I love trying to figure out what movies are in the pics in Mascelli's book) Plus:

Nuts and Bolts Filmmaking by Dan Rahmel

Killer Camera Rigs You Can Build by Dan Selakovich.

Both are about building your own gear, plus Rahmel's book talks about a lot of other stuff aswell.

[vertigo]

thanks a lot guys

[Woodson]

The Guerilla Filmmaker's Handbook, The Guerilla Filmmaker's Blueprint

I'm currently looking at these books.. aren't they the same. I am debating on which one to get. Is the Guerilla Filmmaker's Handbook just an updated release of the first one?

[vertigo]

No, they aren't the same. Personally, I like the Blueprint one a tad bit better...I'll explain why. The Handbook is a collection of interviews. That's all it is...700 pages of interviews with amateurs and professionals alike. Some of it is interesting, but most of it is just plain boring. (For example: the first 5 interviews are of film school graduates and non-film school graduates, telling you why you should go to film school or not...in later sections it interviews DP's, asking what format they shoot in and why, etc.) Maybe you would like that type of thing, but it doesn't tickle my fancy. Blueprint is a guide of...well, blueprints. They cover such things as: script writing, shot planning, budgeting guides, sound, costume, set-building, storyboarding, what crew members you need based on your budget, etc.. It does get into production later on though. It also lists the differences between film formats, lenses, etc. I dunno...they aren't the most complex of books...so if you know a lot already, you might not get much out of it.

[Woodson]

Thank you... I know most of it.. but I want kind of step by step referance book so I don't skip a step, and looks like the blueprint is it. Thank you, you saved me about $45 cause I was going to buy both of them but I don't need a book people telling me to go or not to go to film school.

[vertigo]

Yes, then you definitely want the Blueprint.

[Shawn Murphy]

I have these 2 that I like:

Cinematography: Image Making for Cinematographers, Directors, and Videographers by Blain Brown

Myth and the Movies: Discovering the Mythic Structure of 50 Unforgettable Films
by Stuart Voytilla



Hey John, old thread here but as I'm currently only reading six books at the same time I thought I might need another and I was intrigued that I never heard of "Myth and the Movies: Discovering the Mythic Structure of 50 Unforgettable Films
by Stuart Voytilla"

It sounds pretty good, just wanted to see if you still recommend it? Anybody else have this one?

*And I also agree that getting out there and just doing it is perhaps the best teaching aid, but apparently some of us are just addicted to information! ;-)


And for those that didn't happen to like 'The Guerilla Film Makers Handbook' (http://www.movietools.com/book.htm), I have to say that I myself really love the interview format, I'm learning a lot about a number of things that I might not have specifically looked into as the books I have are very specific to individual topics like lighting, directing, editing, etc, plus there's a TON of online resources referenced in the book. As an aside, the 'Blueprint (http://www.movietools.com/book.htm)' version does sound excellent too.

[Filmjunkie677]

Directing: shot by shot by Katz

On directing by David Mamet

two that you must own.

From word to image by Begleiter is another good one.

[J.R. Hudson]

Yes yes yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

'That's all I have to say about that'

[Shawn Murphy]

ok, the reviews were really good, I'm all over it:

57 used & new available from $11.87 at Amazon.

Thx!


"Thanks, shawn!
Your order is being processed, and you'll receive an e-mail confirmation shortly. "

[J.R. Hudson]

It's a total eye opener (for me it was)

It makes sense; it makes you think. It is truly the Greek Fable, the campfire story.....................