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Summary: Unexcelled Source Of Media Recording Editing & Production
Review: The media has traditionally been an extremely specialized, not to mention prohibitively expensive, field. With the introduction of digital production and editing, however, the material costs and requirements for video and audio production is decreasing rapidly, with quality levels already remarkably high and increasing annually.This book provides a superlative introduction and overview to all of the key subjects in producing a lower- to higher- budget film. Though the title makes reference to the digital age, analog equipment is discussed when pertinent as well, and compared to existing and emerging digital technologies. The technicalities of optics for lenses is fully detailed, as are filters, microphones, stands and other equipment, recommendations for each field of what emergency supplies to have on hand, editing and previewing equipment, software, to name but a few of the countless topics covered. A truly comprehensive and detailed work. Anyone with a serious interest in this field can learn from this book the fundamentals needed to get started in extremely high quality digital production. Given the materials and information provided, the cost of the book is truly remarkable. Any reader will complete any section feeling like an expert on the subject. One does not have to begin with experience in the digital arena, however, nor even in video production. Even as technical as this work is, it leads the reader very carefully through all which is pertinent and necessary. A single possible minor shortcoming, is the description of the process of digitizing analog recordings or an actual/ambient environment, into a digital format. One totally unfamiliar with digital concepts may find the analogies provided a bit difficult to follow. It provides enough of a foundation, however, that an interested reader can seek out more technical and/or accurate descriptions of this process. A very small criticism to an otherwise truly excellent work.
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Summary: a whole lottta bang for the buck
Review: This book chronicles in plain English the how's & why's of filmmaking, and even has been updated to accomodate teh digital video era. It is indespensible for people who want to learn, and for the price, it is hard to NOT buy this book. ...
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Summary: It gets my vote!
Review: This book doesn't need 1,000 words - it speaks for itself. We recommend it to all our students as the best value text book to have. An excellent primer before moving on to specialist books. I don't want to be responsible for our students spending a fortune on books, so I tell them that if they can't afford much, then this is the one to get. The problem with many film books is that you can spend a fortune on getting the wrong ones. There are lots of other good books but more expensive and this has all the basics you need to learn before you specialise.
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Summary: a very useful resource
Review: this book explains everything you need to know about the movie industry. it's clear and very focused.
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Summary: Great for film students/pros
Review: This book is a reference guid like no other. It has everything you need to know to understand equipment. Don't buy this book and think that is a end all on making a film. This book is a great tool to use along with other more how to books. I found it a great book to reference during film school. A must for all serious about their trade.
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Summary: The Filmmaker's Handbook
Review: This book serves as a wonderful technical manual on how you 'should' make a film; usually, that means the most expensive way that independent and underground filmmakers (the target audience) cannot afford. When editing a film on video, you don't 'have' to complete an online edit, spending about $40 per hour at pro editing facilities. You can easily do a quick offline and release it much cheaper with almost the same results. The book would be a whole lot better if it shared methods and tricks on cutting production and post-production costs down, enabling young filmmakers (with little or no money) to actually finish their films. That is the bottom line, really. The technical side of filmmaking is learned very quickly on your own. Making people think that they have to go the expensive way is counter-productive. Still, an extremely helpful read. -N. Foster Tyler
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Summary: Excellent guide to filmmaking!
Review: This is a totally useful update of the historical Guide to Filmmaking and the previously oft-consulted Filmmaker's Handbook. Mr. Ascher has kept up with the constantly changing times. I highly recommend it for its clear descriptions and valuable information.
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Summary: This book is amazing.
Review: This is by far the best book I've ever seen on the topic of filmmaking. After reading this book you will know practically everything there is to know about making a movie. The book is very in-depth, it covers every aspect of filmmaking, yet it is a very interesting read. Everyone in the business or interested in making films should own this book.
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Summary: This well written book grows with you.
Review: This is the first book that I bought and read when I began to chase my dream of filmmaking. Although my primary medium is video, this well written book has taught and continues to teach me so much. I picked it up again recently and marveled once more at how well the authors are at conveying the information contained within. Steven Ascher and Edward Pincus truly have an amazing talent for explaining complex concepts in an easy to understand manner; an ability lacking in many of the filmmaking books that I have purchased and a much appreciated ability that has greatly enhanced my knowledge of filmmaking concepts.
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Summary: A book for people working in video, in film or both.
Review: This new edition was written with the idea that you may want to work just in video, or just in film, or in any combination. Writing the first edition, I tried to put in a book the essential things you need to know to make films. In the new edition, I've tried to do the same thing with video. Camcorders, nonlinear editing, tape-based and computer-based systems, TV broadcast. We are in a transitional era, in which both analog and digital gear are in use - the book deals with both. Moviemakers working with DV cameras or in 35mm should find what they're looking for. The book isn't just about technology. It's about the tools and methods of telling stories with motion pictures, and includes a short course in fundraising, legal and business issues and distribution as well. -Steve Ascher Here are some excerpts from the review in The Independent : THE BIBLE, UPDATED. The Filmmaker's Handbook was first published in 1984 and has been a production bible ever since... Starting with the most fundamental functions of the camera, The Filmmaker's Handbook outlines the processes that create both film and video images and guides the reader through every stage of production-from assembling a crew to delivering a print or broadcast master. Encyclopedic in scope, the book breaks every subject down to its component elements, resulting in a reference work for students and working filmmakers alike. Provides an invaluable course in both technology and technique. As independent filmmakers often wear many hats (say, producing, shooting, and editing their own project), The Filmmaker s Handbook is a valuable tool that can prepare them for the problems and challenges unique to every stage of production - digital or analog.
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