Now updated--the step-by-step secrets to capturing great moments on filmWith all the recent advancements in filmmaking technology, more people than ever are trying their hand at filmmaking. Keeping up with the newest information in this booming field, this updated edition of "Filmmaking For Dummies" features up-to-the-minute coverage of the latest and greatest hardware, software, accessories, and trends--including high-definition technology and new outlets for films such as YouTube and MySpace. It demystifies the nuts-and-bolts of filmmaking, from developing a project and securing financing to hiring a cast and crew, editing, and getting distribution. This new edition also provides new movie examples and updated contacts and resources. Whether people want to become professional filmmakers or simply shoot quality home movies, this practical guide has all the advice and tips needed to succeed.
Author(s): Bryan Michael Stoller
Series: For Dummies
Edition: 2
Publisher: For Dummies
Year: 2008
Filmmaking For Dummies, 2nd Edition
About the Author
Dedication
Author’s Acknowledgments
Contents at a Glance
Table of Contents
Foreword
Introduction
About This Book
Conventions Used in This Book
What You’re Not to Read
Foolish Assumptions
How This Book Is Organized
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part I: Filmmaking and Storytelling
Chapter 1: So You Want to Be a Filmmaker
Independents Day versus the Hollywood Way
Filmmaking: Traditional or Digital?
Developing Your Sense of Story
Financing Your Film: Where’s the Money?
On a Budget: Scheduling Your Shoot
Planning Your Shoot, Shooting Your Plan
Hiring Your Cast and Crewing Up
Shooting in the Right Direction
Cut It Out! Editing Your Film
Distributing Your Film and Finding an Audience
Chapter 2: Genres in General
Exploring Film Genres
Categorizing Your Genres
Chapter 3: Penning and Pitching a Great Story
Screening for the Perfect Screenplay
Writing Your Own Original Screenplay
Selling Your Screenplay to a Production Studio, Distributor, or Investor
Part II: Gearing Up to Make Your Film
Chapter 4: Scheduling and Budgeting Your Film
The Art of Scheduling a Film
Balancing Your Film Budget
Insurance Is Your Best Policy
Chapter 5: Financing Your Film
Creating an Enticing Prospectus
Investigating Investors
Starting a Film Company
Going Escrow
Contracting Your Investor
Tapping into Alternative Sources
Chapter 6: Location, Location, Location
Locating Locations
Sounding Off about Soundstages
Shooting in the United States or Crossing the Border?
Locating Stock Footage
Virtual Locations: Creating New Worlds on a Computer
Securing Your Locations
Shooting Second-Unit Locations
Chapter 7: Crewing Up: Hiring Your Crew
Something to Crew About
Finding and Interviewing Your Crew
Creative Ways to Pay Your Crew
Putting a Contract Out on Your Crew
Chapter 8: Assembling Your Cast of Characters
Hooking Your Cast and Reeling Them In
Screening an Actor’s Information
Auditioning Your Potential Cast
Making the Cut: Picking Your Cast
Agreeing with Actors’ Agreements
Chapter 9: Storyboarding Your Film
Understanding the Basics and Benefits of Storyboarding
Setting Up to Storyboard
Deciding What to Include in Each Panel: Putting Pencil to Paper
I Can’t Draw, Even If My Life Depended on It
Part III: Ready to Roll: Starting Production on Your Film
Chapter 10: Shooting through the Looking Glass
Choosing the Right Camera
Do You Need Glasses? Types of Lenses and What They Do
Clearing the Air about Filters
Exposing Yourself to Exposures
Focusing a Sharper Image: Depth of Field
Chapter 11: Let There Be Lighting!
Lighting Up Your Life
Shedding Some Light on Lighting Jargon
Painting with Light
Spotlight on Lighting Equipment
Blowing a Fuse: Taking Safety Precautions
Chapter 12: Sound Advice: Production Sound
Testing, Testing, 1, 2, 3
Assembling a Sound Team
Choosing Analog or Digital Sound
Recording with Microphones
Using Your Headphones
Walking and Talking: Walkie-Talkies on Set
Listening for Quiet
Getting Up to Speed Safe and Sound
Capturing On-Set Ambience
Reporting Your Sound
Chapter 13: Directing Your Actors: . . . And Action!
Getting Your Actors Familiar with the Material — and Each Other
Being a Parent and Mentor to Your Actors — with No Allowance
Preparing Your Actors before the Shoot
Directing Actors during the Shoot
Chapter 14: A Sense of Direction: Directing Your Film
Focusing on Directing
Translating Script to Screen
Mapping Out Your Plans for the Camera
Continuing Continuity with Your Script Supervisor
Taking Your Best Shot
Picture This: Deciding When to Move the Camera and Why
Part IV: Finishing Your Film in Post
Chapter 15: Cut to: Editing Your Film Frame by Frame
Editing Your Film: Putting One Frame in Front of the Other
Linear versus Non-Linear Editing
Editing on Your Computer
Developing a Relationship with Your Film Lab
Cloning, Not Copying; Cloning, Not Copying
Chapter 16: Posting Your Film’s Soundtrack: Adding Music & Effects to the Mix
Finishing Sound in Postproduction
Creating Sound Effects with a Bang
Scoring Big with Music
Outputting Your Final Mix
Chapter 17: Conjuring Up Special Effects
Creating Effects: In or Out of Camera?
Dropping in Backgrounds
Downsizing Miniatures
Creating Effects Right in the Camera
Exploding Effects on Fire
Making Up Your Mind about Make-Up Effects
Chapter 18: Giving Credit and Titles
Titling Your Film
Writing a Running List of Names and Positions
Designing Your Titles and Credits
Rolling Your Title and Credits
Covering Your Eyes: Stripping Titles for Foreign Textless
Part V: Finding a Distributor for Your Film
Chapter 19: Distributing Your Film
Understanding How Distribution Works
Presenting Your Film to Distributors
Distributing Your Film Domestically
Distributing Your Film around the World
Finding a Reliable Distributor or Sales Agent
Demystifying Distribution Contracts
Chapter 20: Exploring and Entering Film Festivals
Demystifying Film Festivals
Entering and Winning Secrets
Part VI: The Part of Tens
Chapter 21: Ten Tips for Discovering New Talent
Viewing Independent Films
Watching Local Theater
Attending Actors’ Showcases
Visiting Acting Schools
Talking to Agents and Managers
Searching the Academy Players Directory
Schmoozing at Film Festivals and Markets
Walking Down the Street
Holding Talent Contests
Starring Your Family
Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Get Publicity for Your Film
Submitting a Press Release
Doing a TV or Radio Interview
Getting a Review from Movie Critics
Mailing Out DVD Screeners
Attending Film Festivals
E-Mailing and Setting Up a Web Site
Designing T-Shirts and Other Premiums
Planning a Publicity Stunt
Organizing a Screening Party or Charity Event
Placing an Ad
Chapter 23: Ten Ways to Avoid Murphy’s Law
Testing the Camera
Scouting Locations for Noise
Watching the Weather Channel
Backing Up Locations and Actors
Using a Stunt Double
Standing by with First-Aid Kit or Medic on Set
Anticipating that Cellphones and Internet Don’t Work Everywhere
Mapping Out Directions
Providing Plenty of Parking
Securing Security Overnight
Powering Up Ahead of Time
Chapter 24: Ten Best Filmmaking Periodicals
The Hollywood Reporter
Daily Variety
Backstage
Videomaker
Entertainment Weekly
People Magazine
American Cinematographer
DV Magazine
MovieMaker Magazine
StudentFilmmakers Magazine
Index
