Video Production Books

Is very good book. In English, for most part. When reading enjoyment done, useful as doorstop or throwing at door-to-door water filter salesmen.

This book is great!! For anyone who wants to make a movie, but make it their way, not some formulaic Hollywood crap, should definitely check this book out. Lloyd Kaufman knows all the tricks. Not just how to make your movie, but how to make sure it's the movie you want to make, with no one interfering with your creative process. There are a host of low budget tips and tricks. Plus, this is easily the funniest book about film making I have ever read. It's chock full of some outrageously funny stories from Lloyd's 35+ years in the business. And the forward is written by none other than the creator of "South Park", Trey Parker. How can you go wrong? This is definitely a a great addition to any movie fan's library. Also, I'm absolutely planning on getting his new book "Direct Your Own Damn Movie". I'm sure it's gonna be great too!!

Make Your Own Damn Movie serves a purpose. It is obviously instructional, perhaps not so much How-To, but Why-To do this or that. Thirty years in a harsh realm of renegade film-making, you'd think he learned a few things. His book offers insight into the twisted world of Troma, from the crazy guy who created a universe out of blood and feces and boobs, and of course poultry. Kaufman's anecdotal humor is as raw as the movies he's made. This book covers everything a film maker should know from the conception to the birth- sometimes quite literally. Very straight forward, with absolutely no holds barred, Kaufman reveals what you need to get your movie made.

Three cheers for the incomparable Lloyd Kaufman, the genius behind the low-to-no budget aesthetic of Troma! In this thorough (and thoroughly hysterical) book, Kaufman spares us the Filmmaking 101 jive. He assumes you already know how to use the machines and frame a shot - his purpose is to get down to the nuts-n-bolts practical realities of making a low-budget feature. Ie., how to assemble crews that will work for free, guerilla marketing techniques, and the importance of enough water, electricity and toilets on your set.

Though the tone of the book is Tromian through and through -- cheesy jokes, loads of profanity, sexual references, and perhaps apocryphal asides -- the experiences and knowledge he shares are sure to save novice filmmakers a lot of headaches and $. Most important, Kaufman inspires. As the poster child for the indie guy overcoming Herculean obstacles to realize a vision, his approach to every aspect of production is always WHY NOT - which is exactly what any aspiring artist needs to hear.

Easily the best book on filmmaking I've ever read.

Make Your Own Damn Movie is everything a first time filmmaker should want from a how-to book: brutally honest, practical, funny, and written by the head of the longest running independent film company, Troma's Lloyd Kaufman. Even if defenestrating or onscreen headcrushing aren't your gig, reading this book will give you a better grasp on filmmaking's every step (from getting it funded, all the way to promoting it) than most film degrees; and at under 20 bucks, it's also a lot less expensive! Take it from a man who's been doing it for 40 years. He knows the ins and outs. When you finally make your own damn movie, remember to thank Uncle Lloyd. He deserves it.

I really have enjoyed this book. Its whimsical approach has great bits of information and the author provides a supplemental cd with some great extras.

I've been in the business of producing corporate film and video projects for over 30 years. With over 400 projects completed I felt like I knew my way around. But this book has taken me to a new level of excitement to create my own film project using DV technology.

I recently bought a Nikon D90 and, using the information in this book, I'm well on my way to creating my first independent film project with this remarkable camera.

If you're interested in learning how to do it and getting fired up enough so that you'll actually go for it, this book is right for you.
-a-

This book, simply put, is a must have for any guerrilla filmmaker. Although the title specifies action films, the book really is a must have no matter what your film's genre. It offers countless techniques and tips on how to bring your vision to fruition. I have been pursuing a carrier in film making for the last five years now and I have learned a lot along the way. If I had discovered this book five years ago, I can't tell you how much further along I would be at obtaining my goal. No matter what type of films you wish to make, if you are a guerrilla filmmaker, you need to buy this book immediately.

Don't look at this book as an DV movie action-genre guide. Instead learn from Stu's pov as a sfx & production insider that distills it down to diy'ers(DV Rebels). Yeah in-camera-action advice is good, but it's chocked full of other tricks that are the true value. I bought it for color section alone, as Stu is the Magic Bullet zen-meister. Learn how to shoot for color correction in post. The DVD "camera section" is also VERY very good. His pov on 24p, dv, hd, and latitude are intelligent and you choose if it's for you. Don't just shoot 24p because somebody said so, this book tells you why... Somewhat advanced, mostly because what you shoot doesn't necessarily look perdy, but if you shoot for post, WAY better. My new reading, re-read companion. Book is designed for portability and duress. Top review!

This book is a lot of fun, and even if you end up using only one or two of the SFX methods shown in here, the rest of the book makes a great resource to have around just in case someone else you know needs to make fake gun shots or fake a helicopter escape scene. For filmmaking book collectors like myself, this book belongs on your shelf.

J. W. Rinzler always delivers when it comes to documenting the making-of processes of movies. But I never thought he could out-do himself ten times over in this book. Very simply said: You will NEVER read a more comprehensive book about ANY movie... I mean EVER. Every single piece of information about the first Star Wars movie is simply there, from old early drafts (it is almost shocking how the original conception of the saga is so radically different from the final product, especially because the original script drafts have almost no humor) to the complete set of gorgeous Ralph McQuarrie paintings in full color and detail, to most models used in special effects to an almost breath-taking chronology of events, including money & ego troubles, set accidents, fights, and so much more.
Don't get me wrong, this is a long read, at more than 400 pages. It took me almost two months of occasional reading to complete it, but it was well worth it. Call this the ultimate Original Star Wars Bible if you will. The hardcover book contains some extra material including a complete set of storyboards and a cute little compilation of anecdotes written by Lucas about the backgrounds of the film's characters--they differ radically from the arcs and character backgrounds later provided by the prequels.
A must-read for every Star Wars fan. I can only hope Rinzler and Bouzeraou will do the same thing for Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

As a junkie for this film, I couldn't wait to get my grubby mitts on what promised to be the definitive look at how the whole show went down. The content doesn't disappoint. The interviews, the old script excerpts and the images are all what I had expected and more. The bummer? The book itself. As soon as I opened it I heard the terrifying sounds of a busted spine. I have to hold the damn thing open in a V-Shape when I read it so as to keep the binding from totally giving way. You'd think such a hefty book with such a hefty price tag would be able to withstand the grueling task of being opened up on a table. Oh well, such is life. Fans shouldn't allow this to deter them from such a sacred tome, but be sure to treat it with such reverence and care. I'd hate to see someone fly off the handle and go all Chewie-losing-space-chess on their loved ones because their book fell apart.

I read many books about special effects and films. I'm a huge fan of the Star Wars franchises (at least until the most recent cartoon).

THIS ONE IS PERFECT!!! So many detailed descriptions of the evolution from idea to story to script to shooting. An incredible level of detail. So many pictures, storyboards, illustrations, and documents. This is the first time I've picked up such a huge and detailed volume and devoured it from start to finish.

Even if you already own a lot of material about Lucas and Star Wars, this is a worthy addition to the library.

It truly is definitive - but also is beautiful and well written. BUY IT!!!

Great book for any Star Wars fan. Even if you're not, you'll find this an interesting look at all the trials and tribulations George Lucas went through to get his vision on the screen. Even when nobody else saw the potential in it.

Full of alot of great photos as well. Highly recommended to anyone that has even a remote interest in cinema history.

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R3NV609HFHDLR3 While this book was published in 2007, it's actually about the making and the history of the first Star Wars movie released in 1977. Considering how much time has passed, it's amazing the amount of material that has been collected for this book.

There are twelve chapters documenting the journey from the scripting stage, casting, set building, location shooting, all the way up to the movie release.

This book is written before anyone knew it was going to be a major hit. What that means is, they are writing it on the spot at that point in time -- in 1977. There's nothing closer to understanding what's going on during production and on their minds while the shooting the movie.

Included in the books are hundreds of behind-the-scenes photos, scanned scripts, sketches of sets and ships, several film stills and immensely valuable and insightful interviews. It's essentially a very well documented production diary.

There are lots of details included. Read about how George Lucas was a compulsive writer who doesn't and cannot stop working. Find out how they overcome crisis like when one of their robots caught fire. Share their euphoria when they first received reactions from movie goers. And I can go on and on.

This is the definitive volume. It's well worth the money for any Star Wars fan or movie maker.

There are two covers for this book, a hardcover and the paperback. It's highly recommended to get the hardcover, more expensive, version. This book is big and thick at 314 pages. The spine of the softcover will most definitely wear off in the future.

There are more pictures of the book on my blog. Just visit my Amazon profile for the link.

Now I'm convinced.

After reading this book, my main concern was "can I do this". After reading, I'm not only excited, but truly convinced that almost anyone with a brain can do what the book reveals.

Thank you Amazon and thank you Ray West.

JC

I just finished reading the book and I'm beyond stunned! It's undoubtedly the most actionable, simple, surefire program I have ever seen. You could not pay me 10 times to give it back!

The book was great to read and very informative. the speed of Delivery was also a plus. It was at my door with in a week. can't complain about that. GOOD JOB!

I read so many books on breaking into the adult film business...I even spent $1,297 on this course from www.adultfilmmaking.com, the "only" online adult film school, which was a total rip off. This book by Ray West and one other one that I downloaded off the internet for $80 have been the ONLY two books I've read that actually give legitimate, usable information on how make money in this business. I don't understand the negative reviews on this book. Yes, the book has grammical and spelling errors but if readers aren't able to overlook that for the information it offers then they probably should stick to their 9 to 5 job anyway. If you're interested in getting into the adult business profitably and successfully, you need all the resources you can get. This book is one valuable resource to get you started. If you're a bible-thumper looking for ways to condemn this industry then you're probably the ones who are degrading the content of this book. Why waste your time? Get this book if you want to make money in this business.

This book was a blast to read. I heard about Ray West from a forum as being a guru to adult film making. After reading, I know why! Eventhough his book is 2001, I am going after his new stuff. I just can't imagine as a film maker how much fun this book has brought to my life. Ray West, you are a true genius.

This book takes you through the steps of making a movie like "Pride and Prejudice," has interviews and desrciptions by cast and crew, and many colorful pictures (both still and action shots). I enjoyed this book, learned a lot, and have a new appreciation for the movie. In addition, it gives the average person an idea of the different aspects of making a movie and all the different careers and talents used.

There are 10 chapters with an introduction. The chapters are:
- The script
- Pre-production
- Production design
- Costume, make-up, and hair design
- Music
- Dancing
- Two weeks to go . . .
- Filming
- A conversation with Colin Firth
- Post-production

Some favorites for me were the chapters about music, dance, and costume because I would probably like to work in one of those areas. Also the interview with Colin Firth was very interesting. In one of the chapters they include the schedule for one day of filming, it lasted for 6 pages! It is amazing how much work goes into a movie!

The reason I give it 4 stars out of 5 is because some parts were not very interesting like the part about lighting. In addition, a lot of the pictures are too small to see the details, I would have liked to have bigger pictures so you can see the details that are talked about.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading the making of the movie Pride and Prejudice. It was interesting to go behind the scenes and read about the actors and actresses who were in the movie and looking at the stage sets. When you watch the movie, it is almost like being there. You get really into the characters and the situations that are being displayed in both the book and on screen. I felt like I was back in time and had lived in that era. It is a very good read.

One of my all-time favorite productions, I wanted to know more about the people and places involved in the making of Pride and Prejudice. This book definitely met my expectations and I am happily sharing it with others in my family who also love and appreciate it.

2003's "The Making of Pride and Prejudice" is a peek behind the scenes at the transformation of Jane Austen's classic romance novel into the 1995 BBC television production, a classic in its own right.

Sue Birwhistle and Susie Conklin walk the reader through the entire process, from selling the idea to a reluctant studio, to Andrew Davies' superb adaptation of the novel into six TV episodes, through casting, preproduction, shooting, and finally postproduction. The book is filled with comments from the workers on both sides of the camera, and illustrated with fascinating set photography.

Recreating the 19th Century required extensive research into such mundane matters as period costumes, hairstyles, drapery patterns, furniture, and music and dance. Months of pre-production paid off in an authentic look, at the cost of daily two-hour costume and make-up sessions for the actors and nightly refreshing of sets. Minor challenges included the delicate task of keeping food presentable for the three day shoot of the Netherfield supper party.

Location shooting, even in a country rich with old homes, required patient negotiation with owners over the restoration of house and grounds to a 19th century appearance. The expenses of production required shooting by location vice chronological order; Colin Firth notes his very first scene was Darcy's marriage proposal to Elizabeth.

Casting presented its own challenges for such a popular story. The book shares the concerns of the actors, along with some interesting before and after make-up portraits. A highlight is an extended interview with Colin Firth on the challenges of the role of Mr. Darcy. Jennifer Ehle adds her own comments on the grueling five month shooting schedule, which required her presence on set for all but five days.

"The Making of Pride and Prejudice" will be equally fascinating to dedicated fans of the BBC television version and those interested in the actual details of production. This book is very highly recommended to both audiences.

Loved the actors interviews, the photos and all the back story. To learn that Jennifer Ehle (Lizzy) is blonde and to see her as such without the Lizzy dark-hair wig, was worth the buy in itself!

This is a useful book. An excellent blueprint!

Michael Flowers, Author of Michael Flowers' Jackal

This book is old.
About a quarter of this book are listings of books, services or agencies placed at the end of each chapter, most of them not very usable anymore.
Most readers will shoot their movie with an HD digital camcorder nowadays. The book touches on digital filmmaking only in one chapter at the very end.
It is also very optimistic about landing a distributor. It says 200 independent movies are made every year (at the time the book was written). Modern sources claim the number increased to 3-5000. If no names are attached to a movie, it is next to impossible to attach a distributor.
It also overestimates the labors of self distribution of today, web based in particular. Without ever leaving a house, anyone can sell video on demand or a DVD on amazon.com free of charge via [...] (they charge only once an item is sold). Also, [...] accepts independent films for distribution, though only if they are of acceptable quality.
The book touches the surface on many subjects from the very start of preproduction to the end sale. It does not tell all of the ins and outs of industry trade, but it does outline the basic principles involved in the film making.
It lays a ground work for anyone who wants to get a sense of the business. It gives a notion how to work with people in Hollywood, who does what in production and how to get it done, basics of distribution etc. Besides the points I listed above, most other are still applicable nowadays. This is good book to learn about independent producing without being overwhelmed by too many particularities.
The reason I gave this book five stars is its optimism. It is interesting to read and easy to understand, The subtext throughout the book reads 'you can do it'. Keep it simple, know your priorities, know your job, know how to do it and despite all difficulties, do it.

Marko
11320vp@gmail.com

This is a great and realist book for any beginning filmmaker. It is a must read to give new producers the tools and real world information to actually start a film career.

I listened to the videos on Mr. Simen's webfilmschool site and was amazed at the volume of information, and more importantly, the level of detail he offers in his course (and that was just the online video portion).

You will not get everything you need to go out and make a film from any one book. Every situation will have unexpected twists and turns that will require you to research a little more, change something in the script (more than once) etc. Don't expect to make your first film start to finish based on one instructor's guidance. Be open to multiple books and instruction until you get your film the way you want it.

Start with a project you can handle to get used to film formatting as Mr. Simen's suggests. I have a completed script and now am going to work on just a trailer for it to see if it looks like what I am working towards.

The part about PPM is true and always has been it's just that many people don't know about it so they don't do it and it catches up with them later...Be sure to include a PPM. The SEC used to mail them out to people. These days you can probably get it off their website. It is a very common private placement investment document. If you already have your product ready to present to investors get an attorney to handle this part so you can focus on the movie (its marketability) with your investors.

"From Reel to Deal" was recommended to us by another film maker, in our journey of creating our first Independent film. We only wish we would of had this book from the start of the project, we found out about the book by the time we were almost finished with the editing of the film! We had a Director that has been in the business for over 20 years and has won a few Crystal Reel Awards for his drug awareness movie "Trouble In Oz". We had a film but had no idea what to do with it at that point. This book helped us to enter film festivals, how to distribute and promote this film. The fact that this book gives you references to other books at the end of each chapter, was extremely helpful to learn even more about the different subjects. We were able to involve as filmmakers after reading this book. We are so happy we found "From Reel to Deal", we just received a nomination for an award at the New York International & Independent Film and Video Festival. We owe a lot of our success to Dov S-S Simens and From Reel to Deal! They will present the awards at the next festival in New York on March, 20th 2009. Our Movie is also available on Amazon.com-How the Game Is Played

Barnes & Noble HAD copies for $19.99!
a 70mm film cell with a variety of scenes from 2001 was included in the Taschen EU printing
Some are trying to sell them for $1000 (!)
glad I waited- the unexpected joys of remainders

When he passed on, it seemed as if yet one more pillar of a sane, CIVILIZED world went missing
if in a down mood, putting on DR STRANGELOVE usually sets things straight:
--------
"My boys!-they must have surrendered-they let me down, Mandrake..." [as a dejected Ripper kicks a lampshade and sits down with his belt loaded semi- automatic machine gun-and as orders from the President to break into Rippers sealed off AF base are successful and become obvious]
"Not a bit of it! Im sure they all died thinking of you, Jack-every man jack-last one of them....uh....Jack...."
-[Col Lionel Mandrake HMRAF, to Gen Jack D Ripper USAF just a few minutes before the likely starting of WWIII]

Peter Sellers kept cracking up the film crew with his jokes and impressions to the point that that many scenes had to be shot over and over because the crew couldnt hold it in
If you look closely at the Russian Ambasador, Premier Kissov, as Sellers uncontrollable R arm keeps attempting a Nazi salute -and he keeps pummeling it back into submission- you will notice a smile where it appears the actor almost looses it-but held on
-
When George C Scott stumbles flat on the floor,(in the War Room) while walking backwards, Kubrick decided to leave this unplanned shot in the film-as it seemed in keeping for the character and the moment...

This is another monster Taschen book, like their earlier SOME LIKE IT HOT jumbo-sized volume. Both redefine the concept of a coffee-table book is. They are end-table, or dinette table items. Huge, weighty things that take up a lot of space and are best stored flat rather than upright like normal books, lest the binding collapse.

The actual content is made up of pictures galore, vivid, dramatic stills from the works of Stanley Kubrick, spreading over the massive pages in all their glory. The first half of the tome is all visual snippets from each of the major works, laid out with impeccable taste. Then it starts over with essays about each of the movie's synopses, production details and critical reception. Really good, not just the superficial studio-approved hype that often appears in these things, but worthwhile information, like the best quality dvd commentary. Accompanying this are more incredible photos.

There's even coverage on that very early item, FEAR AND DESIRE, his 1953 allegorical war film/first feature, and several shorts he did in the very early fifties.. The stills are sparse for that particular title, but there's more info about it than has been available, probably since it was new. And since it was a prehistoric example of the independent film, there probably wasn't much coverage, then. Kubrick himself washed his hands of it an eon ago. And, I just saw this Golden Fleece-type rare item. last summer; he was probably very wise to ignore it. But, anyway, this book more than adequately covers it.

Also, there's a lot of biographical material with a lot of personal photos.

For Kubrick fans, this is nirvana, the best of the several books that try to encompass the director's appeal.

It is another gorgeous entry in the Taschen lineup, like their elegant MOVIES OF 20s, 30s - onto 90s volumes, and the wonderful series of ALL AMERICAN ADS for each decade from the teens to the 80s, and even the more modest, but still spectacular, directors series. All were originally very pricey, but are remaindered in a very short order because the audience for these things is not exactly huge. Most bookstores don't even stock them as remainders, let alone when they are new and full-priced.There is apparently a new jumbo book about Ingmar Bergman. The mind boggles what it'll look like.

This is the ultimate movie book. If you collect them, this is a must... and a half. Maybe three or four 'musts.'

Amazing book. Every picture says a thousand words, there are true gems in here, hillarious, beautiful, awe inspiring pictures, testaments of Stanley's genius... I'm going to ger the one for Bergman too....

All about Stanley Kubrick that there is to know...really good material, with great photos and a lot of info. Recommend.

First off, I had to return my first shipment due to the top right and left corners of each page were creased in shipping. I recommend only buying this book by itself to avoid any such issue. Regardless, Amazon was very accommodating.

The book could have had a better build. There's no cover jacket to prevent the book from getting scuffed, and the pages could have been placed, like most books, with the corners of the hardback slightly above the pages to avoid the pages being bent when the cover corners are worn.

The book itself is the 25th Anniversary Edition. No longer is there a cd interview with Kubrick or a 70mm filmframe from 2001; however, the pages within the book are identical to the first printings. It is very cost effective considering the first prints cost at least $200 or more when they came out. These type of books should be done for every great director. They encompass everything behind the artist and his or her work. The only thing absent are the movies themeselves. If you are a fan of Kubrick or just want to know as much as possible from the man himself, this comes highly recommended.

Save The Cat is a pretty good book on writing, I've read many on the subject, but none has ever been as enjoyable to read as this one, I strongly recommend this book.

This is the follow up to Save the Cat. There is enough explanation that it's OK if you haven't read Save the Cat but I would still recommend reading them in order. In this book Blake takes apart 50 movies, or rather breaks them down. It's a little hard to explain if you don't know how Blake breaks down films but it is explained in this book and very thoroughly in the first. Needles to say if you love films and or you want to write screen plays that can sell this is a must read.

Review written for SAVE THE CAT! and SAVE THE CAT! GOES TO THE MOVIES:


A contact of mine in LA who's been in the business for ten years suggested SAVE THE CAT! by Blake Snyder. I immediately ordered BOTH this book and its sequel.

I had done a lot of reading on the business and the craft over the last three years, and these books have given me a new "method" of how to outline/build the story--hitting every main point on the proper page number, improving my title and logline, and choosing a specific genre versus a broad one, like "drama."

SAVE THE CAT! GOES TO THE MOVIES is Blake's guide to help you put your story in this specific type of genre. He takes you step-by-step through each beat, gives you comparable movies, and lays out the 15 beats of several movies right in the book ... and so much more!

I'm so excited about using Blake Snyder's methods for my current re-write that I don't know if I should start with "The Board" or the "BS2."

I could easily continue to write about these great resources, but I've got to get to work! You won't be disappointed.


Thanks Blake for your insight and generosity!



Genelle Ingram Begendorf

If you are fuzzy on structure, this book along with Save the Cat must be on your to do list!

Save the Cat! Goes to the Movies: The Screenwriter's Guide to Every Story Ever Told Blake Snyder has done what few have done, make a sequel as good as the original. Racking your brain for the movies in the genre you are working in? Blake has put 500 Hollywood hits not only into one of his 10 genres, but also into sub-genres! Then, he breaks down one movie for each sub-genre to show that even the most off-beat movie beats to his special drummer. This is a must companion to his first book. You will not be disappointed. If I could give it more than five stars, I would. Evergreen, CO

Fantastic book. Read it. Learn it. Live it. Or FAIL. Any questions? Finally, someone took the time to help you FIX a script, instead of wasting 10 chapters on something Final Draft, or Movie Magic does for you! It doesn't waste time with theory, or other BS. If you are SERIOUS about writing, and have a completed screenplay (that is even remotely commercially viable) this book will help. Unless of course you have a highly exaggerated sense of self, and think you don't need the advice of Mr. Akers. (In which case, stay out of the fast lane, and have fun watching MY films!

Mr. Akers,

I've just finished my first complete read, and cannot wait to put some of your re-write tools to practice. Thanks!

My friend was impressed with your lecture in TN. She mentioned the article in the Tennessean and suggested your book. So glad she did!

Professor Will Akers has written a guide for all screenwriters, whether they are beginners with a dream or wizened pros who might need just a few pointers to get back on track. If you are an entertainment writer, or want to be one, this volume belongs on your bookshelf alongside The Chicago Manual of Style and William Strunk and E.B. White's The Elements of Style. I believe it's that important.

In addition, if you are a fiction writer who dreams of publishing a novel that might be made into a successful screenplay, you'll be a better storyteller and sharper stylist after you have put into practice Professor Akers' instructions in these pages. For over two decades the author has been a successful screenwriter and a professor at Vanderbilt University teaching what he relates in this book. Some of the one hundred lessons will hit you like a light that is suddenly turned on in a dark room. Others will reacquaint you with the basics of writing that you may have forgotten. Don't skip anything, though. Even the fundamentals need revisiting from time to time.

During his storied career, Jack Nicklaus used to return to his childhood teaching pro before each season and relearn the golf swing, starting with the grip. Nicklaus did that!? Yes, he did. He understood that by beginning with the basics, the fundamentals, each season, he wouldn't lapse into bad habits. He would return to competition with his "A" game. The same is true for all professions. By all means learn the intricacies of your craft, but never forget the foundations. This book has both.

Written in an earnest yet entertaining style, this book minces no words and tells you what you need to know about conceiving, creating, and selling your screenplay in the unforgiving entertainment industry. Akers doesn't promise that success will be easy--it never is--but if you faithfully follow his lessons, you will definitely increase your odds of success, and will get the most mileage out of your talent. I've read several books about writing screenplays. They all have their strong points, but this persistent guide is the most useful one of its kind that I have found. Bravo, Professor Akers!

I am not a professional screenwriter, but I had to write a screenplay! This book helped me do it in a funny, realistic way! If the screenplay ever wins an award I will thank William M. Akers (the author)for telling me my screenplay sucks. It may still suck but not as much.

I have a heap of half-read screenwriting books littering my room, all dedicated to the same four to five general principals.

I picked up "Your screenplay sucks" on a whim and breezed through it. Perfect. I dog-marked so many pages I may as well re-read the entire thing... once I've cleaned up my screenplay.

Pick up a copy. Now.

This book is absolutely SUPERB.

- clear, concise explanations.

- in depth. thorough.

- many, full color, glossy images to demonstrate points

- to the point. no filler.

- enjoyable to read. layed out interestingly.

- gives you a GREAT starting point for making your doc.

This is not for advanced doc makers. This is for newbies who know nothing about making a doc. Read this and you'll be ready to go. You will not be an expert but you will know enough to get things started and an excellent foundation from which to build your doc making skills upon.

Can't go wrong with this.

Anthony Artiss writes the DV book for the "rest of us" who are new to the field and are struggling to connect terminology with application. He speaks in plain english and makes sense of arcane technical terms.

I read Barry Braverman's Video Shooter immediately before Shut Up and Shoot. Now I wish that I had done the reverse as Artiss explains terms at a level for the beginner. I probably would have gotten more out of Braverman's book had it come second as his tome is more technical.

Shut up and shoot is not a Dummies book. It assumes the person has a basic understanding of the glossary of general terms but at the same time is careful to put new material in the proper context. It is a great step by step process to give one a basic understanding of the equipment and process needed to shoot a basic low budget documentary.

The bonus DVD has some great quick guides and cheat sheets that are definitely an added value.

Best value for the money. If you are a beginner this is the first book you should buy.

There is no better book out there on how to plan, organize, and execute a documentary.

I liked this book so much that I made sure to get it back from my boyfriend after we broke up. Just the "Basic List of Post-Production Elements" is worth the price of the book. Artis demystifies tech talk and shares hard-won tips so you can avoid mistakes.

Anthony Artis has put together a truly valuable handbook for making films and videos on whatever your budget. I picked this up after 20 or so years in production management work. I've also taught workshops in production and producing so I've read a lot of "how to" and theory books. This one is a keeper. It holds your attention, delivers solid advice and practical experience that is highly motivational. It also provides links to many important resources and a bonus DVD with all kinds of useful information. The best thing about this book is Artis's ability to cut to the heart of the matter and not bog the reader down with too much information. Learning filmmaking is highly experiential and that's the ultimate message here: don't get caught up in too much book learning -- shut up & shoot!