Amateur Books

Got this book for my husband. He is happy with it. It is even his pool side reading material. He said there were good explanations in this book and it is a five star for the writing!

This is a great book. For a beginner, you really dive in fast on what makes beer taste great, or what are some problems you should watch out for while your brewing your beer. The only thing is that some of this information is pretty advanced without giving you more of a foundation of knowledge first. But great book, and im looking forward to brewing my first batch of beer, and im confident it will taste good after reading this book!

This book had me going from an extract brewer to making all grain Belgian brews within 4 months. Honestly, this has to be the best tool for any home brewer.

I am very glad I got this book before I read, Complete Joy of Homebrewing...even though I have both I think this book is a must have for beginners. The walk through is a lot more precise and it just seems to be more current as well. Highest recommend!

Start with the Joy of Home Brewing and then move onto this book. How To Brew further advances Charlie Papzians book with more in-depth explorations of the brewing process with a closer look at the chemistry and biology of brewing. This book also includes additional information on creating your all-grain system with detailed information for various types of manifolds and sparge techniques. Very informative for the home brewer who wants to "take the next step."

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.

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 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

The coupling of Mr. Warren and Ms. Craig is casting genius! Never before has the usual dry home repair industry had such a sharp, sophisticated, and witty voice. This completely charming and easy-to-understand book has, undoubtedly drawn numerous women, such as myself, to an area which until now was perceived as forbidden. Three cheers!

Mr.Warren and Ms. Craig have accomplished something no one else ever has in this really wonderful publication. Many thanks to a couple in perfect harmony!

I was looking for a book that tells you how to prevent bad things from happening- a recommended schedule of maintenance for my home. This book tells you how to handle problems after they have happened. I get the impression that they want you to buy the book, figure out that you have no idea how to fix your problem, then look to see if there's a "Rent-a-Husband" franchise in your city.

This book was recommended to me after numerous attempts to become "mistress of my domain" failed. It is so well done I plan to pass the word along to all of my home challenged friends. Fantastic in every way,particularly in the extraordinary way in which it is written.

Truly helpful and a joyous reading experience.

All I can say is....Excellent book. It made a computer technician out of me. Tnx

If you are tired of all the PC how-to books that can't write a sentance in English, this is the book for you. Easy to follow with screenshots from the PC itself, this a guide even my mom can follow. It covers the basics of owning a computer from Windows 98 and SE, ME, and XP. How to keep them in tune and how to save some money doing it with free programs that are available online. What to take some of the mystery of the beige (black, grey, whatever) box on the desk, The Healthy PC will go long ways towards that end.

I absolutely love this book!!! I read about it here on Amazon and ordered it right away. I have been reading through it and using it on my computer for the past three hours... I can't put it down!!! My computer already seems more reliable, and I fixed little problems that I wasn't sure how to (i.e. The annoying send error file reports).
One of the great things about this was how explanatory it was... Although I knew what a lot of computer jargon means, I understood it after reading this book.
I HIGHLY recommend this for anyone looking to take care of their computer!

The first time I sat down with this book, I couldn't stop. I'm not a PC guru, nor am I a "tin horn." I think anyone who uses a computer from power users to novices will find it one of the most practical, easy to understand texts you'll find.

I also "googled" his name and found his website CareyHolzman.com. What a treasure trove of advice and help.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn how to use a computer or increase the knowledge they already have.

When you work or deal with young people, talking about computers
is a big challenge and most of the times you feel like a "dummie or an idiot". This forces you to run to Barnes & Noble or the local Library to end up more confused and frustrated not knowing which book to pick.
"The Healthy PC" is not as tedious as other computer books,
on the contrary once you start reading you will not stop, and if you follow the steps Carey recommends you'll feel very comfortable.
This is a great book, to bad he does not have any publications about hardware, but I understand his next book will be about "networking" available next year, I can't wait to buy it.

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!

I have a book shelf, full of film production books that I have collected over the past twenty years or so. This book reads very easily and teaches some pretty complex concepts from the world of producing. (ie. Day of Days)

I would recommend this to new producers, students and people that would like a primer on the creative and business side of a Hollywood Producer.

I just completed a feature length screenplay that will soon become a feature length film. To prepare for production I decided to purchase two books: Creative Producing A to Z, and, A Film Director Prepares, both by Myrl Schreibman. Having just finished reading them, I now know I could not have made two better choices. Buy them both, read them both, then read them both again! I promise, your film career will be well served.

This book is the producer's version of Gray's "Anatomy of the Human Body." Without a doubt, Schreibman's text is the blueprint for any successful indie film and should be read and thoroughly consulted by every creative producer - experienced or otherwise. Furthermore, this book that can be extremely useful to directors and screenwriters because it provides a real understanding of what the producer does and how the other creative entities can best collaborate with the producer for creative and practical synergy. In short, this book is a must for anyone who wants to make movies.

I bought this book for my cousin who wants to start out in the film business. This book helped me break down the who's who in the industry and the breakdown and samples are easy to understand.

I recently finished producing my own independent film and found this book right at the beginning of my post-production period.

I wish I had found it earlier. It is full of no-nonsense advice and information that is practically bullet-proof, and I ended up agreeing with about all of it. Schreibman, who apparently has a long history of producing films for t.v. and theatrical market, has paid his dues, done his homework, and knows another "feel-good" you-can-do-it book isn't necessary.

He tells you like it is, doesn't pull any punches, and helps you avoid the most common mistakes, both legally and aesthetically. Writing and directing are generally the more "arty" positions in film production - the Producer is supposed to keep the ship moving forward and avoiding any fatal mistakes. This book directs you in the right direction.

My film was a "micro-budget" film, and this book may ultimately be more useful for "larger" independent features, including ones with SAG deals, distribution in place, and budgets closer to 7 figures. While all the advice here applies to everyone making a movie, it's the attitude Myrl conveys that I really appreciated and believed in, more than some of his nuts-and-bolts info. The contract samples at the end were also very helpful when I went out and began looking for more help finding money to finish my film (which I eventually did).

Now I'm dreaming of using the rest of the info here for my next film!

All metal art classrooms should have this book! It goes into great detail of the many techniques that can be used when working in metal. It is great for students who need ideas as well as the students who need help with the technical aspect of metalsmithing.

The lay out and illustrations of the book really make it an easy and helpful resource. It is full of interesting facts, and covers just about anything you need to know to start working in metals.

This is a great book for beginners. It was a required resource for a jewelry class I took many years ago. I bought a new copy for my son when he got interested in jewelry making. Over the years the material has stayed pretty much the same with a lot of additions. It is a very straight forward easy to understand book. It is a good basic resource for anyone interested in doing metalsmithing or jewelry work.

Complete Metalsmith, Student Edition
this book is great for any type of metalsmithing in jewelry. It explains in detail what you need to do. Highly recommended for all beginners in the jewelry world.

I ordered the book later than I should have for my class but it only took a week to arrive. Far less time than stated that it could. The book is very informative. My instructor is not formal education oriented so we fumble through class and get his help as needed. Sometimes he takes the project and completes it for us (we are not graded on what he finishes). This book answered questions that I had and allowed me to understand and be able to accomplish projects that would have been difficult with help from my instructor.

Great book on the art of sculpturing your own house. The do's and don'ts are great information. Great book for anyone who is thinking about building or wanting to know how to do this type of artwork.

I think this might be the best cob building book out there. That said, don't hesitate to buy other ones though. Before one builds they should garner all the knowledge they can from different sources.

The thing I like most about this book, is that it is not just a boring instructional book, but a book that also describes the emotional, mental and spiritual side of cob building.

The book is full of answers to questions you probably haven't even thought of yet. A few of the books sections are; selecting a proper site, house design, drainage, foundation, tools, walls, doors, windows, floors, and of course making and working with cob. There's lots more than this though in it's 340 pages.

I would have given it 5 stars except I think the roof section could have been expanded a bit. They do recommend looking at normal roof framing books, but I still think they could have added a bit more, being that cob is not exactly normal to most of us, nor does a person have to make a normal roof. There was also a mention of Natural Stabilizers, but there also needs to be a section on their properties and use in cob. Also I didn't like the fact that the only colour photos where stuffed in the center 8 pages. The book should have had colour photos throughout it, along with the B&W illustrations. They do state they are constantly learning new things, so I do hope they come out with a new edition soon.

A must buy if your interested in building with cob.

I love this book. I bought it expecting to get information on cob houses but the big bonus is it not only provides information on how to build a home but also includes viewpoints on living life and enjoying the process. I highly recommend the book even if you don't plan on building a cob house. This book will help you build a life!

I purchased this book on recommendation and am glad I did. It covers everything from choosing the best land for building these structures to everything you need to build it. There are lots of pictures (both color and black and white). The book also covers earth ovens and fireplaces. Even if you are not interested in building an earth home, you can build a backyard fireplace with seating.

I bought this book some months ago and I have enjoyed the information in it and have found it to be extremely useful. It has lots of hands on instructions from talented builders and designers. That said now onto the review.

Throughout this book they kept talking about building things yourself and yet they mentioned nothing about permits and I didn't know why. I work in restoring old historic buildings and I am studying to be an structural engineer specializing in earthen construction and I know that some of the most difficult permits to get are for earthen buildings. I finally found my answer in the back of the book where there is a section dedicated to telling you how and why you should break the law and build without permits and building without the safety code. They claim that permits and building codes are only so bureaucrats and inspectors can make a buck and make your life more difficult. Well I am here to set the record strait.

The International building code and local building codes are in place because people in the past have built faulty housing that has not held up in sever wind conditions, flooding, earthquakes, etc... Each area and city has codes that are adapted to their local weather conditions. For example, you can not have a thatched roof house in the states of Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, or Nevada without them being properly fireproofed, and even then many cities don't allow it. Why, Thatched roofs are highly flammable in dry deserts. That has nothing to do with the man trying to keep you down and discourage your creativity, they don't want your house to burn down. I was insulted by the fact that they were telling people how to avoid these laws because I am studying so I can help local governments be more open to alternative building, the legal way. This type of behavior is irresponsible, dangerous, and is exactly the reason why so many governments don't want this type of construction in their states.

This is also dangerous because they talk about designing artistic buildings and roofs without the help of engineers or architects. This can be highly dangerous because I have seen roof built that were not properly designed for local weather conditions and watched as the first major snow fall of the year collapses the entire roofing system inwards. The codes are not there to restrict you but to make sure that what you are building is safe to live in. I agree that many of the rules and regulations seem pointless and in all reality you don't have to follow them if you can prove to a building inspector that you don't need them. However, there are many codes that are necessary.

I gave this book three stars because I loved the information inside of it but I was shocked at their blatant disregard for safety and for the law and I would not be surprised if they end up with a lawsuit on their hands in the future because someones wall that was not properly anchored, or buttressed, collapses on the family who followed this books advice in trying to beat the system.