Check back to see our Directors' Library which will feature DVD's of films made by our favorite directors along with books detailing their lives, loves and movies.

Making Documentary Films and Reality Videos, by Barry Hampe

With all the emphasis today on "reality television" along with the lower overall costs associated with documentary filmmaking, this is an area which should be of intense interest to digital filmmakers. Hampe has indeed written a practical guide to filming real events, but the user should have some previous production experience. His use of examples defines his taste as well: An American Family (the television "drama" about the Loud family) being a prime example.

Digital Filmmaking 101: An Essential Guide to Producing Low-Budget Movies, by Dale Newton and John Gaspard

With chatty, post-slacker humor and savvy one chapter is called "Special Effects (Please Pass the Construction Paper)" the authors guide the novice through each stage of using digital film: writing the script, drawing up a budget, getting funding, equipment, cast, crew, etc. Would-be indie filmmakers seeking practical, friendly advice will find this a handy reference.

Basics of Video Lighting, by Des Lyver and Graham Swainson

Just as the title implies this book will teach you the basics of lighting a shoot for maximum image quality in both studio and field environments. Elements such as electrical requirements, relationship between the camera and lights, different types of lights, single-point, two-point and three-point lighting are explained. The book also includes an extensive glossary of terms.

Producing Great Sound for Digital Video, by Jay Rose

This book educates beginning and experienced filmmakers on the intricacies of creating an outstanding soundtrack, from preproduction planning through the final mix. It presents solutions to showstopping problems that, because of lack of experience, a filmmaker wouldn't realize until getting to the editing room.

The iFilm Digital Video Filmmaker's Handbook 2001, by Maxie D. Collier

This book is a complete "how-to" instructional guide for digital filmmaking and covers all creative and technical aspects of pre-production, lighting, digital video, editing, post-production, distribution and exhibition. An essential, core title it is enhanced with an accompanying and invaluable DVD of filmmaking resources.
 

What They Don't Teach You at Film School, by Camille Landau and Tiare White

Do you have to go to film school to get your movies made? No, say two young entrepreneurs who survived the grind. Here they offer 140 strategies for making movies no matter what. Amateurs as well as seasoned veterans can pick up this entertaining and incredibly useful guide in any place and find tactics that work.

The Five Essential Steps in Digital Video, by Denise Ohio

This book is packed full of information for the novice to the seasoned producer. It covers the basics of DV technology and choosing the right equipment to planning your budget, digitizing your own music, and acquiring resources online. Selling a project has also been transformed by the Internet and the author explains which means of distribution would be the best for your project.

The Digital Filmmaking Handbook (with CD-ROM), by Ben Long and Sonja Schenk

Film and video production are in transition. 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.

In The Blink of An Eye: The Five Cs of Cinematography, by Walter Murch and Francis Ford Coppola

This book is celebrated film editor Walter Murch's vivid, multifaceted, thought provoking essay on film editing. Starting with what might be the most basic editing question - Why do cuts work? - Academy Award-winner Murch treats the reader to a wonderful ride through the aesthetics and practical concerns of cutting film.