From Word to Image: Storyboarding and the Filmmaking Process

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Summary: Finally! The book we've all been waiting for!
Review: I have personally had the honour of being a student of the author, Marcie Begleiter, and without a doubt she is one of the few people in the entertainment industry that is able to visually communicate and articulate the languages and processes of design which concern themselves with the fundamental aspects of storyboarding, production design, and all other elements of creative processes pertaining to film and theater. Her reputation proceeds her, and this book is long overdue!

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Summary: For highschool students - not for those who know how to draw
Review: I was expecting a book which would explain how to handle specific requests from the film directors. A book which would contain the "tricks of the trade" drawing solutions for the cameramen to understand ... it was an enourmous disapointment to me to find out that the book contained chapter after chapter talking about perspective and how to draw. The title is misleading and the drawings are rather dull. I would only recommend it to students with limited drawing knowledge and desire to storyboard. For me it was a waste of money.

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Summary: FOR STORYBOARDING ONLY!
Review: I'm sure this is a wonderful book for would be storyboard artists who work very closely with a director or very tightly to a script. Unfortuately as a comic book writer/artist that's not me. With all the wonderful prior comments I was sure this book would cover visual storytelling generally, but it has little of that. Nothing about creating drama through lighting or how to tweak each frame's composition to squeeze the most drama out of the situation. While the book discusses camera angles it does little to tell us how each of these angles has an effect on viewer. All in all this book is great if you just want to record someone else's script visually on to paper. If you're looking to understand the visual storytelling behind the script I would look elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Learning Tool
Review: In the ashes of Hollywood I have found it hard to find a decent filmmaking book that does not contain any offensive material. I must say that this book does have a few spots that could have been left out (they include one visual example, one full example by Ms. Begleiter, and a one word of profanity). Yet this book is 224 pages in length and out of those I found only 3 pages that had something offensive, that's only 1.3% of the book, and for Hollywood that is fairly amazing. Yet it is still 1.3% too much. I am amazed however how helpful and informative this book is. I have yet to find a filmmaking book which has explained as much material as in this book in such an understandable way. For those interested in creating films to glorify our Lord, yet lack a clean way to learn, this book is one step in the right direction.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Learning Tool
Review: In the ashes of Hollywood I have found it hard to find a decent filmmaking book that does not contain any offensive material. I must say that this book does have a few spots that could have been left out (they include one visual example, one full example by Ms. Begleiter, and a one word of profanity). Yet this book is 224 pages in length and out of those I found only 3 pages that had something offensive, that's only 1.3% of the book, and for Hollywood that is fairly amazing. Yet it is still 1.3% too much. I am amazed however how helpful and informative this book is. I have yet to find a filmmaking book which has explained as much material as in this book in such an understandable way. For those interested in creating films to glorify our Lord, yet lack a clean way to learn, this book is one step in the right direction.

Rating:
Summary: Nuts & Bolts story-boarding
Review: Marcie Begleiter's From Word to Image explains in step-by-step water-clear language how a script is translated into film by directors, story boarders, illustrators and production designers. The book is a story board in itself that defines the process in logical well laid out pellucid details of which the average moviegoer is simply not aware: the basics, the foundation for any art or craft that must be learned, to become second nature and give bedrock to inspiration and creativity. - four stars!
Doyald Young

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Summary: A Must Have!
Review: Marcie's book is an excellent, concise, and very well organized compendium for how to approach visual storytelling. Furthermore, this volume is supported with still images, drawings, and illustrations from classics in film history.
I would highly recommend it as a textbook for both beginning artists as well as established professionals. Also, please pay special attention to the chapter dealing with composition, as it will allow you to enjoy, and hopefully design, films in whole new way.
A must have!

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Summary: Bright and gracious work.
Review: This bright and gracious work is so clear in its intent and organization that it instantly seems a film instruction classic and a must for any visual artist as well as filmmaker. Ms. Begleiter defines image making with so much clarity as to open a new door in one's mind. The book speaks: this is what you do and how, now get going!

Rating:
Summary: user friendly handbook for filmmakers
Review: This is a great resource for first-time filmmakers or video artists. The text is well-organized, comprehensible. Very reader friendly. Lots of good how-to illustrations and archival examples. The inside advice on the industry is an added bonus.
Also: an excellent textbook for film, visual arts, or
advertising students.