The Complete Idiot's Guide to Independent Filmmaking

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Independent Filmmaking
Average customer rating:

Educational and fun to read. Really.

great reference

Invaluable

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Independent Filmmaking
Josef Steiff
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Direction & Production | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
History & Criticism | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Filmmaking for Dummies

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Screenwriting, 2nd Edition (The Complete Idiot's Guide)

Rebel without a Crew: Or How a 23-Year-Old Filmmaker With $7,000 Became a Hollywood Player

Teach Yourself Film Making (Teach Yourself)

Digital Filmmaking 101: An Essential Guide to Producing Low-Budget Movies

ASIN: 1592573908

Book Description

You ought to be making pictures …

Designed for people who want to tell a story their way, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Independent Filmmaking explains everything a budding auteur needs to know— from literary development and financial and organizational pre-production to principal photography production, post-production assembly, exhibition and distribution, and more.

• The advent of desktop editing and a wide range of consumer cameras enable the average person to create a “film studio” at home
• A great “textbook” for novice filmmakers, whether film students or on-their- own auteurs
• The proliferation of film festivals around the world, many of which encourage submissions from “amateur” filmmakers, shows there are countless filmmakers who aren't learning the ropes in school
• Author has terrific credentials and has a feature-length script in development in Hollywood

Customer Reviews:

Educational and fun to read. Really........2007-01-04

OK. This is just a good book. Mr. Steiff, (I use "mister" because I know it makes him feel old) knows his stuff and he does a superb, (SOOPERB) job of getting that stuff across to the reader. (If you've ever read any of his movie reviews you will find this book just as entertaining.) He has a way with words he has. I'll never be a filmmaker. But I can now carry on a conversation with one. Maybe my home movies will be less boring in the future. This book ought to be required reading for all media students everywhere.

great reference.......2006-07-27

For those with even the most remote interest in filmmaking or how it works, this is a great book to read. You can learn the basics of things behind the scenes of making your favorite movies, without necessarily having to be a filmmaker yourself.

Invaluable.......2005-12-20

Joe Steiff is an accomplished and highly-regarded filmmaker, a respected educator, a
talented writer and much else. All his talents and experiences are put to use in this concise, practical and endlessly interesting book. Every facet of independent filmmaking is covered with clarity and excellent advice. But the book goes way beyond the basics into areas such as professionalism, ethics, teamwork and treating people with consideration. Even if you have never considered making a film you can learn a lot from this book about planning, organization, creativity and focus in any field.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Filmmaking

Average customer rating:

Informative
even if you know nothing about film, good deal
Thank God I found this book!
A wannabee's delight, a professional's nightmare.
Awesome!

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Filmmaking
Joanne Parent , and Joanne Parrent
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Performing Arts | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Amateur Production | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Cinematography | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Movies | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Foreign Languages | Reference | Subjects | Books

Sports & Entertainment | Industries & Professions | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Filmmaking for Dummies
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Independent Filmmaking

ASIN: 0028643402

Customer Reviews:

Informative.......2005-01-14

One of the best books around if you want to get your foot in the movie business door. Give you indepth facts from financing your move to actually making it. Don't pass this book up it could make your dreams of being a filmmaker come to life.

even if you know nothing about film, good deal.......2004-03-28

As an aspiring filmmaker, I have found the opening sections, describing the history of the film industry, the basics of film theory, and production basics, the most helpful. Joanne Parrent provides an ideal springboard. Even a budding film critic will find these chapters informative and necessary.
The latter sections of the book describe scriptwriting, production schedules, budgeting, editing, post-production, and distribution. Clearly, Parrent intends this book to be kept at the filmmaker's side during each stage of production of her first film-and subsequent films. It will be at my side.

Thank God I found this book!.......2002-10-12

This book was an enormous help for me. As an (former) amateur in the 'biz', there were techniques contained within that helped me put my script into shape for presentation. The top ten reasons why scripts get rejected inspired me to rethink my structure before I submitted it for representation. I made quick changes, and actually obtained representation by an agent who was impressed with my work. Had I not consulted this manual, I probably would have been rejected....again.

By keeping things simple and readable for a low level audience, the author keeps the pespective on the basic fundamentals of writing and shooting for beginners. This book will not provide you with equipment, motivation, or experience, you have to provide your own.

The chapter on directing, and in particular the areas of creating movement and the rules of three, were valuable tools for me when I shot my first short. Since I did not go to USC film school, nor is my family in the 'biz', these tips really helped me out and were crucial in my completing a competent product that I was able to submit to Slamdance.

Now I can save the $20,000.00 I would have spent at film school and shoot another short, and gain more hands-on experience.

I was puzzled by a previous bitter review of this book. This text is only a guide for beginners, and clearly not meant for the seasoned, well established professional. If you have knowledge of, and access to, complex and sophisticated equipment, along with the skills to operate it, you obviously don't need this manual. I did.

A wannabee's delight, a professional's nightmare........2002-09-19

Another book for the wannabee in the film biz by an academic with little or no experience in the feature film industry that has massive potential to mislead students into thinking that they can crack into perhaps the hardest business in the world through knowing everything but technical matter.
The index of the book says it all: no reference to Arriflex or Panavision cameras, nothing on the actual making of a film, and nothing on the equipment involved.
Quite remarkable that something like this seems to circulate - who is the audience? How is it possible to reject the mention of the very equipment that makes films as somehow unsanitary to the process of being a "creative filmmaker".
So many creative people end up being misled by books typically like this - and having years of their lives destroyed by the naive belief that anyone can thrive in Hollywood. They can't. You don't learn by books, you learn by crewing. Handling equipment and apprenticing.
Save your money, and avoid this book: get a cheap camera, borrow a digital camera, and film. Learn how to frame a shot, learn how to do setups, and learn how to work with real people actors, and real situations - not fake scripts full of fake events you got by watching movies - go out and do it.
Amazon.com has fantastic digital cameras. Get one. Train with people who know their equipment and dust off the idiot amateurs.

Awesome!.......2002-07-07

As a film & video student, I found this book to be incredible. Not only is it great for learners, as it explains the basics in a clear, understandable fashion, but it is just as great for those with a bit of a background in the subject as well.

Joanne Parrent, using easy-to-understand writing as well as antedotes from her many years in the field, has successfully created a foundation text for anyone with an interest in filmmaking, and an excellent resource for readers in the industry to review.

The book covers everything from pre- to post-production, and includes fascinating information, such as the history of cinema and even down to earth advice on how to manage your cast and crew.

As an added bonus, the last section of the book is complete with the contact information for all the major media and industry-related companies in Canada and the United States.

I highly recommend this book!

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Filmmaking by Parent, Joanne ; Parrent, Joanne
Average customer rating:
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Filmmaking by Parent, Joanne ; Parrent, Joanne
Joanne Parent; Joanne Parrent
Manufacturer: Alpha
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OA3VXE

Guitar Basics: Essential Chords, Scales, Rhythms and Theory (Private Lessons)
Average customer rating:

Good Book

The Best in Its Kind

Guitar Basics Level 1

Excellent Guitar Refresher Course

Just what I needed to start playing for real

Guitar Basics: Essential Chords, Scales, Rhythms and Theory (Private Lessons)

Manufacturer: Musicians Institute Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Guitar | Instruments & Performers | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Instruction & Study | Theory, Composition & Performance | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Guitar Fretboard Workbook

Hal Leonard Guitar Method, Complete Edition: Books & CD's 1, 2 and 3

Hal Leonard Guitar Method DVD: For the Beginning Electric or Acoustic Guitarist

The Beginner's Guitar Basics

Music Reading for Guitar (The Complete Method)

ASIN: 0793571316

Book Description

This pack gives essential instruction on open chords, barre chords, power chords, strumming; scales, rhythm playing, the blues, and moveable chord shapes. It includes inversions, 'color' chords, practice tips, chord charts, songs, and progressions.

Customer Reviews:

Good Book.......2007-09-13

Good book for starters...author explains basics like fingure positioning, in detail before moving to the next level...

The Best in Its Kind.......2007-08-05

If are a begginer and have failed with many toher books, this is the last book your should need. With this book you can work on your own or find an instructor to get you going. Bruce doesn't teach you how to play songs, he teaches you rhythm patterns and strive to groove your rhythm.

My chord shifting/holding and rhythm has improved a lot (of course I should have made more efforts). Do your part (practising regularly) and you'll find yourself you can be a guitarist. The rhythms on CD are so beautiful and the quality is excellent. One thing Bruce could have done was helping with "counting" (such as 1 e & da, etc.) and play the examples in slower tempos. I also have his "Ryhthm Guitar" (the Complete Guide).

On the side note, Bruce Buckingham could be the best rhythm guitar player on earth.

Guitar Basics Level 1.......2007-07-12

I have been teaching guitar for a number of years and this book would be the best learning aid I have come across. The lessons are interesting and arranged in an excellent way. Chords, strumming, scales, rhythm playing are easy and manageable for the beginner. There are sections on the blues, movable chord shapes, inversions. A good section on practice tips and the audio cd is well done. Bruce Buckingham is a good teacher and he is able to communicate all the basics well. The logical step up from this book is another Bruce Buckingham book, "Rhythm Guitar The Complete Guide".
This book is more in depth but is really the complete guide to guitar playing for the beginner, intermediate student. Great stuff!

Excellent Guitar Refresher Course .......2007-06-20

This is a good book if you want to get away from all the "licks & tricks"
guitar method books out there on the market.This book gives you the first
steps to really understanding the guitar & its primary function in a music
setting.You can learn by rote & imitation or you can truly understand the
chords that make up songs & the rhythms within them.By learning chords &
progressions,this book helps you play the universal ingredients in all
popular song forms.This book along with Jody Fisher's "I used to play
guitar" are excellent if you want to build a strong foundation.If you
really want to understand what it takes to be a compitent guitarist,start
with this book!

Just what I needed to start playing for real.......2007-02-27

I've been fiddling with the guitar for years now, without making any progress. It's tough being married, with kids, a job, and other hobbies to get serious with lessons and everything. I found this book gives enough direction to make real progress in short practice sections. The steps are deceptively simple; you'll learn a principle, and then you'll be responsible to practice it until it's right.

Even with just a little time I'm filling in a lot of gaps in my playing. I'm learning open chords I ignored before. I'm getting much better at my transitions. My fingers are getting stronger. In just a few weeks, I've advanced more than in many years of goofing around. This book is well worth the price.

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Guitar (Teach Yourself Visually)

Average customer rating:

Good but typos will make you scream

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Guitar (Teach Yourself Visually)
Charles Kim
Manufacturer: Visual
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All Amazon Upgrade | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books

Entertainment | Amazon Upgrade | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Teach Yourself VISUALLY Piano (Teach Yourself Visually)
Teach Yourself VISUALLY Bass Guitar (Teach Yourself Visually)
Teach Yourself VISUALLY Digital Photography (Teach Yourself VISUALLY (Tech))
The New Complete Guitarist
Teach Yourself Visually Guitar

ASIN: 076459642X

Book Description

Do you learn faster by seeing and doing than by wading through tedious instructions? Then pick up a guitar and start strumming! Teach Yourself VISUALLY Guitar shows you the basics—photo by photo and note by note. You begin with basic chords and techniques and progress through suspensions, bass runs, hammer-ons, and barre chords. As you learn to read chord charts, tablature, and lead sheets, you can play any number of songs, from rock to folk to country. The chord chart and scale appendices are ready references for use long after you master the basics.

Concise two-page lessons show you all the steps to a skill and are ideal for quick review

Each skill, chord, or technique is clearly described
Detailed color photos demonstrate proper fingering and technique
Concise and understandable instructions accompany each photo
Helpful tips provide additional guidance

Download Description

With clear instructions and hundreds of photos, this is the only guide aspiring guitarists will need to make beautiful music Packed with step-by-step color photographs, this VISUAL guide shows the 14 million Americans playing guitar (or trying to) how to get started or take their playing to the next level, covering everything from purchasing a guitar and accessories to playing basic chords to mastering more advanced techniques. Charles Kim (Chicago, IL) teaches guitar, bass, songwriting, recording and music theory at Chicago's renowned Old Town School of Folk Music. A multifaceted musician and producer, he is also a composer and sound designer for film, TV, dance and theater companies.

Customer Reviews:

Good but typos will make you scream.......2007-09-17

Very well put together. Not enough info on guitar care. The pictures of the finger chord are ok, but you can not always tell exactly where the fingers are. A fret/string/dot chart would have been enough. An occational picture just to show the proper finger placement would be ok.

The biggest program is in the chord progression section there are typo's in the several of the chord charts. Very confusing. I'm glad I checked it out at my library. The book could have been so good if co-written with a several beginning enthusiasts to find out the missing connection.

The Only Basic Guitar Instruction Book You'll Ever Need: Learn to Play--from Tuning Up to Strumming Your First Chords

Average customer rating:

Major & Minor Confusion
Too basic.... better off with a teacher.

The Only Basic Guitar Instruction Book You'll Ever Need: Learn to Play--from Tuning Up to Strumming Your First Chords
Jack Wilkins , and Peter Rubie
Manufacturer: Adams Media Corporation
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Entertainment Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Teach Yourself to Play Guitar (Book & Enhanced CD)
The "First Stage" Guitar Chord Chart - Learn How To Play The Most Commonly Played Guitar Chords
Fender Presents: Getting Started on Acoustic Guitar -- A Guide for Beginners

ASIN: 1593373791

Book Description

Narratives on famous guitarists and the extra details on guitar history are fine, but that's not what readers need or want when they are eager to master their new guitar. The Only Basic Guitar Instruction Book You'll Ever Need jumps straight into teaching beginners note reading, hand positions, and other essentials, including how to:

Hold their guitar properly and pick notes with their right hand

Progress beyond the basics to integrate playing with both hands

Shift positions, play harmony, and understand chord structures
Although learning the guitar can seem intimidating, this easy-to-use, step-by-step guide is simple enough even for novices, who can start picking simple tunes and learn to play chords in no time.

Customer Reviews:

Major & Minor Confusion.......2007-07-17

I bought this book because I knew nothing about the guitar and needed the basics. The first chapter is fine, but the authors leave big gaps as they go along in teaching you the songs. For example, they teach you a couple of chords and then give you songs in tablature, yet they only offer a small paragraph in the beginning of the book about how to read tablature. I had to turn away from this book to go on with my learning. I don't recommend it. And, by the way, I found that photos of people playing chords doesn't help. Sound files and charts are much better!

Too basic.... better off with a teacher........2006-12-27

This one is just TOO basic - the level it aims at could be better addressed with one or two lessons - and, I believe, better. I didn't return it, though. I'll gift it to someone who wants to learn the basics - on their own!

How to Play Guitar: The Basics and Beyond - Chords, Scales, Tunes, and Tips

Average customer rating:

The Book is okay but it's the CD that makes this a GOOD buy!
Only Fair
Good book - easy to understand, nice diagrams and charts
An okay book, but I feel there are better ones out there

How to Play Guitar: The Basics and Beyond - Chords, Scales, Tunes, and Tips
The Editors of Guitar Player
Manufacturer: Backbeat Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

How to Play Guitar 2 Ed: The Basics and Beyond

ASIN: 0879303999

Customer Reviews:

The Book is okay but it's the CD that makes this a GOOD buy!.......2002-05-28

Sure, the book goes over some of the basics and there are better books out there but I personally bought this for the CD. The CD has 3 blues jam tracks that allow you to wail away on your own improvised leads. Also, if you're having problems tuning your guitar both the book and the CD are a big help. Furthermore, for those of you who have trouble understanding all the little symbols and numbers that make up tablature, Larry Carlton completely defines how to play Tablature on his guitar as you listen to the CD and follow along in the book.

Only Fair.......2002-03-16

Introduces topics without prior explanation. Little theory on how to apply the content. There's better books out there.

Good book - easy to understand, nice diagrams and charts.......1998-12-08

I found this to be a pretty decent book for showing you the basics of guitar playing, soloing, etc. It's probably better if you already know at least a little bit of guitar.. the ablsolute beginner might be a bit lost. Wicked finger picking section! One and 3/4 thumbs up!

An okay book, but I feel there are better ones out there.......1998-06-12

For a basic overview of guitar playing, this book does the trick, but the examples and explanations are not up to par. The CD is okay, but annoying because it all goes too quickly. I learned more from the Mel Bay Chord diagrams than from this book which supposedly explains guitar playing. A good fingerpicking section, but forget about their lead guitar sections, just a bunch of scales, no explanations or anything.

Guitar Chord Basics (Ultimate Beginner Series)

Average customer rating:

Guitar Chord Basics (Ultimate Beginner Series)
Aaron Stang
Manufacturer: Alfred Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
ASIN: 076929068X

Acoustic Guitar Chord and Harmony Basics: Acoustic Guitar Private Lessons (Acoustic Guitar Magazine's Private Lessons)

Average customer rating:

Acoustic Guitar Chord and Harmony Basics: Acoustic Guitar Private Lessons (Acoustic Guitar Magazine's Private Lessons)
Dylan Schorer
Manufacturer: String Letter Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Songbooks | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Acoustic Guitar Lead and Melody Basics (Acoustic Guitar Magazine's Private Lessons)
Acoustic Guitar Accompaniment Basics: Acoustic Guitar Private Lessons (Acoustic Guitar Magazine's Private Lessons)
Acoustic Guitar Solo Fingerstyle Basics (Acoustic Guitar's Private Lessons)
Essential Chords and Progressions for Acoustic Guitar
Beyond Basics Fingerstyle Guitar (The Ultimate Beginner Series)

ASIN: 189049044X

Book Description

Learn the fundamentals of acoustic guitar, from your first chords and beyond! Whether you're a beginning or an intermediate acoustic guitarist, chords are the foundation for the songs you play. Here's a book that teaches you the real-world chord voicings, shapes and progressions used by today's top acoustic players. Not a chord encyclopedia, Acoustic Guitar Chord and Harmony Basics shows you what you really need to know, and offers valuable tips and tricks to help you understand and master the sounds of bluegrass, blues, folk, rock and roots music. The accompanying CD features all of the examples played slowly and up to tempo.

Basic Chords For Guitar (The Basic Series) (The Basic Series)

Average customer rating:

Basic Chords For Guitar (The Basic Series) (The Basic Series)
David Mead
Manufacturer: Sanctuary
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Basic Scales For Guitar (The Basic Series) (The Basic Series)
Basic Guitar Workout (The Basic Series)

ASIN: 1860743633
Release Date: 2004-01-01

Ultimate Beginner Series, Barre Chord Basics (The Ultimate Beginner Series)

Average customer rating:

Ultimate Beginner Series, Barre Chord Basics (The Ultimate Beginner Series)
Aaron Stang
Manufacturer: Alfred Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0769290604

Acoustic Guitar Chords, Rhythm and Lead Basics (Acoustic Guitar's Private Lessons)

Average customer rating:

Acoustic Guitar Chords, Rhythm and Lead Basics (Acoustic Guitar's Private Lessons)

Manufacturer: String Letter Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Music | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Book Description

We're pleased to present this convenient pack featuring three of the most popular CD-lesson books from the Acoustic Guitar Basics series combined in a single volume. It's ideal for both beginning and intermediate guitarists. Includes: Acoustic Guitar Lead and Melody Basics Whether you want to play fiddle tunes, song melodies, the blues, or just jam along to your favorite tunes, Acoustic Guitar Lead and Melody Basics teaches you the fundamentals of playing leads, so you can make a smooth transition from accompanist to soloist. Acoustic Guitar Chord and Harmony Basics Chords are the foundation for the songs you play, and here's a book that teaches you the real-world chord voicings, shapes and progressions used by today's top acoustic players. Not a chord encyclopedia, Acoustic Guitar Chord and Harmony Basics shows you what you really need to know, along with valuable tips and tricks to help you understand and master the sounds of bluegrass, blues, folk, rock and roots music. Acoustic Guitar Rhythm Basics Strong, tight rhythm is essential to your success as a guitarist, animating the songs you play and infusing them with your signature sound. Acoustic Guitar Rhythm Basics teaches you the rhythm styles used in traditional and contemporary acoustic guitar music-strum patterns, bass lines, percussive grooves, drones and more.

Average customer rating:

Alfred's Basic Guitar Chord Chart

Manufacturer: Alfred Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books