Frame by Frame: A Handbook for Creative Filmmaking

Rating:
Summary: A Course in the Basics of Filmmaking
Review: I have a bit of special insight on this book, as I was fortunate enough to take the author's private filmmaking course, upon which this book is based. Many filmmaking manuals dwell on the technical aspects of filmmaking without covering the key concepts and basics that one needs to truly understand the film medium and how one goes about communicating in it. This book does that. In class, Eric would tell us how Hollywood film professionals -- people who had been involved in the business for years -- would take his course and exclaim that they had come to understood film for the first time! This slim but punchy book covers those basic and includes the exercises from Eric Sherman's course, so that anyone can begin to make films after going through and doing the exercises. I did, and I had never even shot a video before the class! This book is standing the test of time because it contains information that will never become dated. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: 'Frame-by-Frame' is an essential book for any filmmaker
Review: Starting with the history of filmmaking and ending with directing itself, Eric Sherman covers every aspect of making a movie in between. This is the first book I've found that actually tells you step-by-step how to create a film. The information is invaluable for anyone, from the amateur home video maker to the experienced film director. The chapters on Shots and Editing are especially useful. If you want to refine your filmmaking skills or if you only want to gain a better understanding of the movies you watch, this book will help tremendously.