Video Production Books

Congratulations must go to Susan Hayward for writing this wonderful study of one of the world's greatest directors. This book goes into the marvellous detail that so many leave out. Of particular interest is the study of violence, and the 'fear of youth' concept.

The whole book is incredibly well-written and excellently set-out, with colorful and relevant illustrations where necessary. Even the more difficult to grasp concepts are explained perefectly so as not to alienate the less film-literate readers. It seems as though Ms. Hayward has a particular affinity for 'Leon', which is studied at length, again in a very approachable and yet insightful manner.

In conclusion, it is fair to say that this book is the perfect springboard into appreciateing the films of Luc Besson, perhaps of French cinema as a whole.

Heartily reccomended.

Jack Cardiff's little jewel of a book is well worth reading if you care about how films are created; his loving, detailed reminiscences are genuinely instructive and rich. You will also like him very much -- as a craftsman, he has few peers. Cardiff shares the experience of seeing as a way of life and thoughtfully examines how it shapes artistic expression. Highly recommended.

I have always been a fan of Orson Welles on radio and television. Having collected a ton of radio broadcasts on CD and audio cassette and having watched most of his movies, I appreciate the genius of his work. I picked up a copy of this book recently and am amazed at the amount of research put into it. An aspect of Welles rarely discussed is his magic career. At the Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention this September in Aberdeen, Maryland, I plan to attend the presentation about Orson Welles and his magic career so I can watch rare footage and films with Welles, and get an even deeper insight to his trickery. Book comes recommended.

Robert Gardner's masterpiece Forest of Bliss gives viewers a chance to soak in a striking visual document. However, as the meaning of events-along with the visual significance of color, grain, and the light and dark of day-is realized, viewers need to lean forward and analyze just what it is they are watching, with no narration or subtitles to guide the narrative. Viewers can feel captured, like the images, in the stages of life and death.
Making Forest of Bliss, a conversation between Gardner and Akos Ostor, an anthropologist and key collaborator of Gardner's in Benares, India where the film was shot, provides context for the film. Yet Gardner and Ostor do not translate the story; instead they tell something new. Beyond the four walls of the film frame existed their lived experience. As they move through the film shot by shot, their provocative memories emerge into an academic discourse about the nature of nonfiction film. Readers gain insight into the precision of composing actuality and the varied forms of ethnographic study and tempered revelation. Meaning is made, unmade, and remade in remembrance, between two artists in academia who share distinct viewpoints.

a beautiful book from a playful mind with a big heart and a vast soul

some of it makes me giggle other parts have proved wise advice

This excellent book details the entire production history of one of the most important films in American history. I enjoyed the behind-the-scene glimpses, crisply told, and with an incredible amount of information about Rebel Without A Cause. The sheer research involved in the making of this book seems astounding. Most books on film I've read discuss the film as a work of art or provide chatty gossip about the stars. This book really explains how a film gets made. It's an eye-opening tour.

The book contains a lot of information about how Hollywood films became the way it is today. Very informative. Very fun to read. Tells you what elements makes American films "Hollywood".

Although the some movies he uses for example are very old (Casablanca, Double Indemnity, Birth of a nation, King Kong, Psycho, etc) and sometimes its really hard to get on DVD, nevertheless they are all important & significant films that all film buffs should watch.

Stanley was my professor when I was in college. He used to be a judge for Emmy Awards. He's been teaching films/media for over 30 years. By reading this book you can really tell that he really love movies!

This book is recommended for beginner to novice film students. Or just normal people can enjoy as well. Many diagrams and pictures.

It is also a great book if you are making a movie.

Part of the Contemporary Film Directors series, Manoel de Oliveira is an in-depth examination of the cinematic works of the venerable Portuguese director Manoel de Oliveira, whose career has spanned seventy-five years and still going. Of especial interest is Oliveira's connection with literary and theatrical texts; his films have ranged the gamut of hybrid cinema from blends that capture the best of both worlds of film and theater, to meldings of fiction and documentary. A handful of black-and-white stills illustrate this revealing and advanced critique, penned by Randal Johnson (Professor of Luso-Brazilian literature, University of California). Interviews with Manoel de Oliveira, a filmography, and an index round out this thoughtful and literate analysis.

"Marketing With Video" is a rare and anomalous entry in the genre of self-help, because it speaks personally to one's self and is consistently helpful. Author Landen is a natural born teacher, taking his reader through a meticulously charted course of instruction to which is added the buoyancy of his own enthusiasm for the subject. Although this very practical book focuses on creating marketing videos for small business, all the points it makes bear true for movie-making in the full gamut of its manifestations. In other words, this is a complete book of film-making in microcosm. The essentials are all here--sufficiently detailed to be comprehensive but not so abstruse as to be intimidating. We are introduced to the basic grammar of cinematography; we find out what can be learned by watching commercials with the sound turned off; how a non-writer can draft a solid film script; the elements and economical short-cuts of pre- and post-production; thrifty tips and clever tricks of the trade; and how to combat the driving obsession to include family members in your film. All this is related with utmost clarity and a positive regard for the reader. This book teaches without condescension; the many examples provided are especially helpful. Landen not only convinces you that you can master the skills necessary to make your own successful business video, he actually makes you want to do it. Considering the exorbitant fees that reputable companies charge for bad marketing videos, this book is a godsend for its specific audience and offers a fresh perspective to everyone interested in film.

This is an informative enough source for anyone who is interested in Martin Scorsese' cinema. Impressively to the point, and easy to read.