First Time Director: How to Make Your Breakthrough Movie

Rating:
Summary: Invaluable!
Review: Gil Bettman has provided a fabulous shortcut to learning directing fundamentals. His detailed lessons in planning and executing a first directing effort are amazingly insightful and helpful. No first-time helmer should start without reading Mr. Bettman's book first!

Rating:
Summary: Highly recommended
Review: If you want to succeed as a modern Hollywood director, this is what you were looking for... Gil Bettman's book is the best guide for young filmmakers who want to achieve a successful first directing gig. Bettman explores deeply the different areas of moviemaking: Preproduction, casting, working with actors and post. I highly recommend it.

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Summary: Factor needless terror out of your first directing job
Review: In short, Bettman helps you factor needless terror out of your first directing job by the right kind of planning. And let's face it, you'll have enough to do without that kind of stress. The book is well laid out, well organised, well pitched and well executed.

If you're going to direct your first film and your dad isn't Martin Scorsese and you didn't grow up playing on sets where he was working, then you do need to buy this book.

Bettman is not the director of A1 films, but he knows film. He's directed things like "BJ and the Bear". But don't let that put you off. Having directed a lot of less elevated TV and cinema he's a whole lot closer to the level that you or I are going to enter at (on Planet Earth, I mean). And in any case, no matter what your level, the same principles apply right up the food chain.

If you are lazy, stupid and uncreative, this book won't change that. What it will give everyone else, though, is the opportunity to minimise their risks by doing their homework and preparation first - before the hand-to-hand combat begins. That way you can go through your film experience with the most confidence you can hope for in the circumstances.

Bettman does not promise you a panacea. He does not promise you sudden greatness. He endeavours to help you shorten to a minimum the learning curve so you can go into your first project with the poise and confidence of knowing you are ready. You'll have plenty more to learn once you start.

You may not agree with Bettman on every minor point. I didn't. So what? Use the 98% that makes sense to you and get your film as good as it can be (and finished).

Bettman fends off the political thought police with a neat codicil in the Preface about his using he/him throughout not being some plot to dis frustrated vag (my words, not his). And then gets on with imparting some of the best advice you'll get without the distraction of copious polit-bureau sanctioned pronoun nomenclature. Full marks.

Rating:
Summary: absolutely essential
Review: This book is absolutely essential for all first time film directors. It cuts through the mystique and hype and offers the begining film director the best available guide. Should be required reading in all film schools.

Rating:
Summary: absoluely essential
Review: This book is absolutely essential for aspiring film directors. It cuts through the hype and mystification in clear and readable prose. Should be required reading for all students in film school.

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Summary: First Time Director: How to Make Your Breakthrough Movie
Review: This book is for novice and experienced filmmakers. Everyone can learn from Gil's advice and insight. I recommend this book highly.

Rating:
Summary: first time director speaks the truth
Review: This book really gets to the heart of the matter when it comes to telling a student of film what is and is not important and how to navigate the world and the business of film. It's all great advice. I am a director and teach as well, so I can with some authority to sincerely recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: first time director speaks the truth
Review: This book really gets to the heart of the matter when it comes to telling a student of film what is and is not important and how to navigate the world and the business of film. It's all great advice. I am a director and teach as well, so I can with some authority to sincerely recommend this book.

Rating:
Summary: not just for directors
Review: This is a book for anyone who's interested in how movies and TV are made -- not just aspiring directors. All the technical info is here, but it's written in a breezy, anecdotal style that makes it a pleasure to read.