The Complete Idiot's Guide to Filmmaking

Rating:
Summary: A wannabee's delight, a professional's nightmare.
Review: 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!

Rating:
Summary: even if you know nothing about film, good deal
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Great Stuff
Review: I'm a professional screenwriter, director and author of an upcoming screenwriting book. I found the Idiot's Guide to Filmmaking to be a great rescource on filmmaking. It covers so many different topics future filmmakers need to know; it's the perfect place to start. Joanne Parrent has taken her years of professional experience and knowledge and has made it available to the aspiring. Take advantage of this rescource, learn everything you can, and beat out your competition.

Defintiely worth checking out.

Rating:
Summary: Informative
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Wide range of great information
Review: This book is a great introduction to the vast subject of filmmaking. I think another reviewer may have forgotten what the title of this book is: The Complete Idiots Guide to Filmmaking. This book is for people who don't know everything there is to know about filmmaking.

The last reviewer said this about the author, "an academic with little or no experience in the feature film industry." If he/she had even bothered to read the author's bio they would know they were wrong. Ignore that review. It's silly.

This book is easy to follow, understand and covers subjects future filmmakers might never consider before starting. This book advises and guides new filmmakers away from first mistakes that can damage or slow a career. I suspect that the other reviewer, while perhaps an expert with cameras, doesn't know everything about financing, hiring, editing, sales, distribution, etc. This book is probably more for him then he knows. There is more to being a filmmaker then scripts, actors and cameras. This book reveals the other aspects of filmmaking, all of which are equally important to getting your film made.

Last item. While it is increadibly important to get your hands dirty (film, direct, write) you need to do so in an informed way, not by the seat of your pants. Getting out and filming is not going to make you a success. Anyone CAN make it in this industry, they just have to work harder then everyone else and be INFORMED. That information is what this book provides.

Rating:
Summary: Wide range of great information
Review: 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.