The Digital Filmmaking Handbook (Digital Filmmaking Series)

Since the advent of digital video and desktop editing software, scores of independent producers have become equipped to make their own movies. But because filmmaking involves much more than just buying a camera and a computer, there's The Digital Filmmaking Handbook. This one-stop digital filmmaking resource will guide you from your initial idea to getting your finished project "in the can." It will show you how to create shots and effects that are rarely associated with low-budget productions. And it covers everything from writing and pre-production planning to shooting and post-production editing and effects. Now in its third edition, this best-selling book has been completely updated and revised to include detailed information on a number of important new digital video technologies, including both high-end HD video and the new HDV format, and affordable new digital video standard that lets even low-budget producers work in high-definition video. All of the chapters have been revised to cover the latest hardware, software, and production workflows,, and new exercises offer help with everything from writing to special effects. Whether your goal is an industrial project, a short subject for your Web site, or a feature-length movie for a film festival, this book will help you understand the questions you need to ask, so that you will be prepared to solve the myriad problems that will arise.

The title of The Digital Filmmaking Handbook is something of an oxymoron, because this thorough book covers everything you need to know about filmmaking production, from concept to screening. The only missing element is film itself.

Film and video production are in transition. Film and analog videotape rapidly are approaching the end of their technological lives, being replaced by digital videotape and digital cameras. You can buy computers that connect to DV cameras and edit DV tape almost anywhere, and they cost only slightly more than an entry-level computer. The Digital Filmmaking Handbook, then, is for anyone buying into the DV revolution who wants to do more than shoot home movies of the kids. It's for filmmakers young and old, professional and hobbyist, who want to learn to shoot, edit, and make great movies.

Unlike traditional filmmaking books, in which only the camera and some audio and editing equipment are addressed, part of this book approaches the medium from a computer hardware and software perspective. Numerous hardware issues like choosing the components for an editing workstation (chapter 5), the kind of digital video camera to use (chapter 6), selecting editing and audio software (chapter 7), and various output formats (chapter 18) are discussed. Also, there are chapters on effects, making video look like film (chapter 17), and digital titling (chapter 16).

The book never strays from speaking to moviemakers instead of moviemaking-gear buyers. Everything from preproduction tasks (such as scripting, storyboarding, and budgeting) to production tasks (like set preparation, lighting, filming (sans film), and sound recording) through final editing, color correction, titles, and output is explained. Filmmaking is heavily dependent on technology, and each of these subjects is well covered. Chapters on audio, for example, include selection of microphone types; differences between mic types; how to connect mics to a DV camera or synchronize audio in postproduction; how to control sound levels; and so on.

The chapter on editing reflects the experience of the authors. Films are understood through their own language, and how scenes are edited determines the dialect of that language. Such techniques as matching screen position, matching emotion and tone, matching action, when to use pauses and overlapping edits, and the effect of pauses and pull-ups (shortening a scene) are defined and justified.

If you can't get into NYU's film school--or even if you can--The Digital Filmmaking Handbook is a worthy reference to keep at your fingertips. --Mike Caputo