Product Description
Making a short film is one of the first vital steps to becoming a filmmaker. This book and DVD is a 'short filmmakers kit' for aspiring producers. It combines advice and inspiration with essential practical information as well as a real-world case study of the making of the short film, 'Ghosthunter', providing a rare inside view of the process.

* A complete filmmakers' toolkit - practical tips on reducing costs, techniques and tricks of the trade
* Get first hand advice from interviews with cast, crew and some of the leading names in film
* Follow the process step by step and learn how to put a short film together ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

This book is from the U.K.
This is an informative book, in terms of breaking down what everyone does on a set, and giving tips on how to prepare for a shoot.However, the writers are in England, and base their experience on making a short film in England.So, be prepared for lots of "things are much different in the USA" for some of their advice regarding permits, insurance, contracts, and production resources.

Covers all aspects of creating a short feature film
Utilizing the feature film "Ghosthunter" as his example, Ian Lewis' How To Make Great Short Feature Films covers all aspects of creating a short feature film from the its inception, the script, to putting the production package together, financing and budgeting, pre-production planning, the shoot, editing the film, and the final touches for distribution. How To Make Great Short Feature Films is enhanced for the film student with a number of informative appendices including: the shooting script; shot list notes; Designer's sketches; special effects list; the budget; contracts for cast and crew; production forms; biographies of consultants and key crew; cast and crew list; Alison's "Ghosthunter" diary; useful addresses and websites; Amulet Films' e-mailing list; and who does what on a film set. The informative, superbly presented and highly recommended text is impressively augmented by an accompanying DVD that contains the 20-minute "Ghosthunter" film; a 25-minute documentary; budgeting and screen writing software. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (8)

I Really Enjoyed This Book
I never tire of reading about the films of my childhood in the '50s and '60s.As a result, I really enjoyed this book concerning the films of The Mirisch Corporation.While I greatly enjoyed reading about the more famous films produced by Walter Mirisch and his brothers such as "Some Like It Hot," "West Side Story," "The Magnificent Seven," and "The Great Escape," I enjoyed even more reading about some of theless well-known films I enjoyed like like "633 Squadron," "Kings of the Sun," "The Satan Bug," etc.It was also nice to read about the creation of Inspector Clouseau in "The Pink Panther" and I especially enjoyed reading about the production of "Midway," one of my favorite W.W.II films.And while he does not go out of his way to knock anyone, Mirisch does let us know of the trials and tribulations of working with Peter Sellers, Dustin Hoffman,John Huston, etc.The Mirisch Corporation also produced for TV, its most famous show probably being "The Rat Patrol."I finally learned why this well-remembered show was cancelled after only two seasons.
I enjoyed this book from beginning to end and shot through it quickly.If you enjoy reading about the production of classic Hollywood films you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

The Real Deal
I believe critic Jay Carr was directly alluding to Walter's influence as a lifetime supporter and longtime Academy president when he said: "Academy members ... tend to favor films that will make Hollywood seem a class act instead of a hotbed of money-grubbing vulgarians" . Walter's films, a plethora of seemingly diverse classics such asIN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT, SOME LIKE IT HOT, THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN - and so many other titles too numerous to mention at any one time -all have in common a standard of uncommon excellence. His first person memoir offers the added dimension to appreciating these iconic works within a down-to-earth nuzzle from the horse's mouth. It's also easy to appreciate the refreshing modesty of prose and consistently gracious acknowledgment to all involved in Walter's life and career - from his family, loyal assistant, and crew - as well as the, visible to all, acting talent.

This is a milk and cookies kind of skinny engaging in the basic and yet insider facts.I THOUGHT WE WERE MAKING MOVIES... is a delicious, home-cooked meal of a book. My personal favorite anecdotes involve Walter's aggravation with the brilliant but reckless mania of Peter Sellars... whose X rated package Walter received in retaliation for his honesty is unforgettably hilarious.

The Facts-Only Cliff Notes Version of Producing Films
This is a book that should have been filled with fascinating stories but instead is the Dragnet ("Just the facts, maam") version of one Hollywood producer's history.After working with some of the greatest movies stars, you would think Mirisch would have some great insight into the egocentric business or some incredible stories. But what you get in this book is just a year-by-year, movie-by-movie, bare-boned, accountant-like recollection of his films.

The first hundred pages involve a little of his background and the large number of insignificant films he made in his early years.As mentioned in another person's two-star review of the book, Mirish seems ultra-sensitive to perceived anti-Semitism, twisting a comment made by a professor at University of Wisconsin to mean Jewish Mirisch wasn't welcome there (if you read it carefully, the professor was actually offering him a scholarship that Mirisch was dragging his feet on accepting and was giving him some needed honest advice).

There are a few interesting stories in the book, mostly about casting decisions. Tina Louise as the Marilyn Monroe role in the TV pilot of Some Like It Hot.Peter Ustinov originally signed to be Inspector Clouseau before Peter Sellers.

He spends only 8 pages on West Side Story but 17 on the now insignificant movie Hawaii.He also has some memories mixed up--he claims Billy Wilder made "The Fortune Cookie" because he "was a great football fan and a regular viewer of Monday Night Football."Yet Monday Night Football didn't start until four years after the movie premiered!

There are a few inHollywood who don't come off looking so good--Steve McQueen in particular--but even then the author handles them gently and obviously doesn't want to hurt anyone's feelings with this book. He never takes advantage of the chance to go back and rethink some of his casting choices (such as the miscast leads in West Side Story).Instead almost everyone he worked with was talented or wonderful.

For what sounds like a fascinating life, this book is suprisingly dull.You will not learn much that hasn't been told better elsewhere.Mirisch sounds like a really nice guy but in the end he's just in a business where the numbers are what matter.And he really wasn't making much "history" as the title claims.

Intriguing for anyone interested in the history of the film business
Although I have yet to finish reading this book (I am about 1/4 way through it), Mirisch tells the history of his family and how they came to carve out careers in different aspects of the movie industry.Along the way, Mirisch relates anecdotes about various well-known stars of yesteryear and gives details as to how several of his films came into production.For anyone who has an interest in the film businesses and its related history, this book is a 'must read' that accomplishes remaining clear of bogging the reader down in any superfluous technicalities.

More like: I'm rewriting history to make me look best
This book contains some innaccurate references to films and people Mr. Mirisch worked with and my copy didn't contain an index. Very little is information is given about Mirisch's early childhood or his teenage years as a film usher. In one passage, he states that he turned down a teaching position at the University of Wisconsin because he thought the head of the department was anti-Semetic. Mirisch thought a remark that "there are very few other jobs open for an Academic like you" supported this idea. Often the reader can get lost in some very technical jargon about film financing and investing. In simple terms this could mean: If the film flops, the director and the cast take the blame and if the film is a success, the producer makes the most money and takes credit for it. A researcher should read this book to check the accuracy of film titles and names mentioned. Example: Monogram's film series was The Teenagers, not "The High School Kids." ... Read more

Product Description
“How To Be A Film Maker!” will cut through all the double-talk and cover only the pertinent info that you need to make your own film.This is not about film theory and critical viewing - it is the nuts and bolts of filmmaking.

You will have the information you need to go from concept to screenplay and from the shoot to Post-production.You will discover how easy it is to make your own film with info on how to make your film look as professional as possible.

And you will also learn the value of film festivals in the filmmaking process.

Here’s a little of what you’ll learn inside of “How To Be A Film Maker!”:

- How to develop a concept

- How to write a professional screenplay.

- How to purchase and operate the camera.

- How to light your scenes professionally.

- Audio for your film.

- Finding a location.

- How to make a production schedule.

- A list of equipment you will need.

- How to promote your film.

- And more

Author Randall Magwood is an expert on film making, and has taught many people around the world how to be a film maker.
... Read more

Product Description
This book explores intimate relationships in lesbian families living in American society. From an insider's point of view, it examines how relationships within these families form and develop, what special concerns and problems result, what personal gains the family members derive from these types of families, and how motherhood and parenthood evolve. This work is a companion to Dr. Asten's ethnographic video, Intimate Relationships in Three Lesbian Families Living in American Society. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Fascinating
This book discusses Olivier's choices as an actor and director for the trio of Shakespeare films he made.The first was Henry V, the second Hamlet, and the third Richard III.

I am not a film student and for me this was a fascinating look at how Olivier helped achieve some of the dramatic impact of these films through various cinematic devices.I am not sure if it's something that would be obvious to someone who studies films or not.My sense is that they would not learn as much from this book as I have.

Additionally there are comments on how Olivier altered Shakespeare's scripts and read certain lines as an actor.This is not quite so useful as it's easier to reference that information, and I was familiar with most of the major changes made.

Since reading this book I have watched Richard III again and was amazed to see how many things I had not noticed in my more casual viewing of the film.I personally love Olivier's enigmatic performance in that film (it was my primary motivator in buying this book), and I found that my further understanding of his choices as an actor and director only made me appreciate the film more.I had experienced the film as a "casual" viewer and now as someone with more insight.A worthy experience!

I would not suggest this book to someone who does not appreciate both Olivier's films and more importantly Shakespeare's plays.I think that if you are familiar with only Olivier's work and not other performances of the plays it might be worthwhile, but I would urge you to watch other acclaimed versions of the plays first, and possibly pick up Shakespeare's folios (if you cannot find them online).Ian McKellan has made Richard III more recently and Kenneth Branagh has made Henry V.There are countless Hamlets out there (including one by Branagh again).Without some knowledge of other performances I think the appreciation for Olivier's choices is lost.

But all that being said, I learned a lot from reading this book, and find it's still a nice reference to keep around. ... Read more

Product Description
A collection of ten essays written by leading Koreanistsand scholars of Korean film. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Quite an outdated book about Im Kwon-taek
The last movie mentioned by the author is Tae-baek Mountains, but "Chun-hyang" seems to be too new for the author already, not to mention the "Chwi-hwa-seon" as well.But it gives us some knowledge about the idea of Im's movie.Quite good if you are facinated by Im's movie and want to know more about him, especially his past. ... Read more

Product Description
Traditionally, film critics have concentrated on the director, seeing feature filmmaking as a form of individual expression. The authors challenge this view, arguing that filmmaking is a form of collection expression. They examine the idea that many individuals, including editors, cinematographers and sound designers, contribute to the making of a film, and argue that it is misleading to classify them as technicians. The authors consider is how money and power determines the structure within which all those involved with filmmaking work. And, in challenging the accepted view of the dynamics of filmmaking, the book raises questions about the nature of the feature film. Is it essentially a visual form? What place does it have? How important is the script? Making Films in Contemporary Hollywood contains analysis, interviews and case studies of Chinatown, Jurassic Park, and When Harry Met Sally, bringing a fresh perspective to the study of filmmaking that will be both informative and provocative for Media and Film Studies students at all levels. ... Read more

Product Description
Imre Horvath, producer of 60 Minutes, was asked how to get to talk to inaccessible people: "People that are busy...are scheduled tight...it's at 5:00 and 6:00 that they're back in their office to unwind...there's a kind of resonance or sympathy that springs up. "Oh, you're still in your office too?" Twenty-two interviews feature the producers or creators of Mister Rogers, Highway Patrol, Sea Hunt, The Cisco Kid, The Tonight Show, Rockford Files, Falcon Crest, Gunsmoke, Family Feud, and Roots, among others. These people offer opinions on the producer's role, the creation and packaging of different program genres, getting the best from the production team, tips for success, and of course personalities and personal moments. Honest and intelligent, these interviews give the reader a fascinating view of the industry. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

covers television production only
Interesting insights from people who have worked in television production in the early days.Although dated, this is still an interesting read ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A complete book on filmmaking
A very good resource on filmmaking. The chapters cover:
The Camera and Image Foundation; The Optical system; Lighting, filters and exposure control; Shot, sequence and transition; Super 8mm Sound systems; The role of the Director; Pictorial composition; Editing Super 8mm film and sound; Creating Titles, graphics and animation; Projecting film; and comes with a useful appendix covering film terms and the arithmetic of film shooting. Much of the info is on filmmaking in general, not limited to just the Super 8 format.

Obviously some sections of the book are far outdated, and the techniques and equipment described such as with double system sound editing would be impossible to replicate today as the technology is long since obsolete and hard to find. An interesting read though seeing how it was done before NLE's. Nonetheless, a useful resource on filmmaking techniques.

Good overview of Super 8....
This is a good overview of Super 8 technology for it's time. There's good common sense advice about different aspects of this technology. Keep in mind that about half the Super 8 cameras out there have been made useless by the new film that's available but there is still much to choose from. Look for a list of cameras that are Ektachrome 64T compatible. Several companies in Germany sell a variety of cameras and 2 companies sell film that will work with more cameras than the 64T film. Sadly there is no distributer in the U.S. for the film stock. This is a fun read anyway. ... Read more