The Digital Filmmaking Handbook

by Ben Long, Sonja Schenk

Digital movie making has gone Hollywood! Though digital video has been long-embraced by independent movie makers, with recent releases like Star Episode II being shot with digital equipment, it's clear that digital is here to stay. Fortunately, even if you don't have access to the higher-end tools used by the major studios, you can still create professional-quality productions with a reasonably priced DV camera and your computer. With The Digital Filmmaking Handbook, Second Edition, you'll learn everything you need to know to produce your own projects. Whether your goal is a feature-length production for theatrical release or film festival, or a short production for corporate or industrial use, this book will explain every step of the production process, from writing and planning, to shooting, editing and post-production effects. This new edition has been completely updated and reorganized to better reflect a typical DV production workflow. Extensive new material on writing is included, and expanded coverage of budgeting and financing can be found on the companion DVD. There is also detailed information on all the latest software and hardware, comprehensive new editing tutorials, and a new chapter on video technology basics. Whether you're a film student, advertising professional, instructor, or hobbyist, this book will explain everything you need to know to get the job done. If you're already an experienced filmmaker or videographer, The Digital Filmmaking Handbook, 2nd Edition will help you make the transition to the latest digital technologies.

Genres: Film, Reference, Nonfiction

575 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Stacey Nguyen]

This is an incredibly helpful resource for not only creating high-quality digital shorts, but also provides a comprehensive overview of how a digital camera works and how to create cinematic looks with relatively accessible supplies. Also some wonderful nuggets in there about nonlinear video editing. It definitely makes the film-making process much less daunting.

[Andrew]

A good INTRO to film, but dated and a lot of it just isn't relevant anymore. But good introductions to the basics like editing, shot placement, equipment, and lighting.

[Brent Barnard]

This is a fine book, but I realized I don't have the time or the resources right now to jump into this demanding field, even as a hobby.