Filmmaking in Action

Table of Contents:
Chapter 1: The Big PictureWhy Make a Film?ACTION STEPS: Getting StartedThree Filmmaking PrinciplesSix Filmmaking ViewpointsPRODUCERS SMARTS: Congratulations, You Are a Movie Producer![video] HOW DO I…? Get My First Movie Made, with Cherien DabisThe Filmmaking PathBUSINESS SMARTS: Taking Care of BusinessChapter Essentials　Part I: Concept and PreparationChapter 2: Start with the ScriptWhere Do Ideas Come From?Original IdeasACTION STEPS: Brainstorming IdeasSource MaterialIntellectual PropertyRights and TitleFair UseTheme, Story, and CharacterIt’s about someone who…StructureACTION STEPS: How to Avoid Writing a Bad Student Film Writing and Screenplay FormatsACTION STEPS: How to Get Started Writing Your ScriptDevelopmentDeveloping Your Script[video] HOW DO I…? Respond to Script Notes, with Julia CamaraBUSINESS SMARTS: A Writers ContractThe Studio Development CyclePRODUCER SMARTS: How to Work with the WriterChapter Essentials　Chapter 3: DirectingThe Director’s RolePRODUCER SMARTS: Producer and Director, A Working RelationshipSeeing Your Project through a Directors EyesGetting the Script and Working ItACTION STEPS: How to Mark Up Your ScriptCasting ActorsBUSINESS SMARTS: Agents, Managers, and LawyersACTION STEPS: The Audition ProcessSelecting Department HeadsPlanning and Visualizing the ShootPlanning the ShootVisualizing the Shoot[video] HOW DO I…? Set the Tone On-Set, with David Gordon GreenDifferent Styles of Aesthetics and LeadershipWorking On-SetACTION STEPS: How to Work with ActorsSupporting PositionsWorking the Movie You Just ShotFinishing the MovieFinal CutChapter Essentials　Chapter 4: Conceptualization and Design The Principles of DesignComposition ElementsMis-en-ScèneACTION STEPS: Choosing a Color PaletteTECH TALK: Color Theory in Design[video] HOW DO I…? Use Design to Tell a Story, with Alex McDowellDesign PlanACTION STEPS: Design AnalysisResearch and ReferencesPRODUCER SMARTS: Dumpster DivingLocationsSetsTECH TALK: Common Set StructuresPrevisualizationSketches and StoryboardsDigital PrevisTECH TALK: Digital Storyboard ToolsChapter Essentials Chapter 5: Production Planning and ManagementManagement OverviewBUSINESS SMARTS: Business, Insurance, and Legal RequirementsSchedulingScript BreakdownShooting ScheduleACTION STEPS: Be Prepared[video] HOW DO I…? Manage My Productions Details, with Lulu ZezzaBudgetingBudget DocumentBe ResourcefulACTION STEPS: Planning Crew Meals on a Tight BudgetPRODUCER SMARTS: Finding FundingChapter Essentials　Part II: Images and SoundChapter 6: Camera SkillsYour Screen is Your CanvasAspect Ratios and FormatsACTION STEPS: Shooting for Multiple FormatsSpecial Formats: 3D Stereoscopic and Giant ScreenPRODUCER SMARTS: Creative Discussion about the Look of the FilmImage Capture Media and MachinesTECH TALK: What Are You Seeing?Digital CamerasHow Digital Cameras WorkTECH TALK: Picking on Pixels[video] HOW DO I…? Prepare the Camera, with Jacob PingerTypes of Digital CamerasACTION STEPS: Using Your Digital CameraFilmFilm Formats and Film StockHow Film and Film Cameras WorkACTION STEPS: Using a Film CameraTECH TALK: Go Negative!LensesFocal LengthFocusKey Factors: Shutter and ApertureDepth of FieldACTION STEPS: Rack Focus and Depth of FieldSupporting and Moving the CameraBUSINESS SMARTS: The Camera PackageChapter Essentials　Chapter 7: Telling the Story with the CameraBasic ShotsLong ShotsMedium ShotsClose ShotsCamera Angles: How You View the SceneACTION STEPS: Low Budget Dutch Angle TrickACTION STEPS: Dirty vs. CleanCompositionWhat is Good Composition?PRODUCER SMARTS: Composition Outside the FrameACTION STEPS: Shooting People and ObjectsComposition in the Moving FrameComposition and LensesACTION STEPS: Low-Budget Hacks to Make Your Student Film Look High-BudgetCreating Images for ContinuityHow to Shoot a SceneDon’t Cross the Line!Eyelines, Visual Effects, and Animation[video] HOW DO I…? Motivate the Camera, with Mandy WalkerBUSINESS SMARTS: How Many Shots Do You Need?Chapter Essentials　Chapter 8: Lighting SkillsQualities of LightShadows and ContrastDirectional and Diffused LightingMeasuring LightingExposureApproaches to ExposureElements of ExposureExposure in ActionACTION STEPS: Solving Exposure ProblemsColorColor TemperatureWhite BalanceLighting GearACTION STEPS: Lighting Safety First!TECH TALK: Dont Blow that Circuit!Lighting InstrumentsExterior LightsInterior Lights[video] HOW DO I…? Light with Minimal Tools, with Willie DawkinsBUSINESS SMARTS: Renting LightsPRODUCER SMARTS: How Much is Enough?Mounting EquipmentDiffusers, Gels, and CookiesChapter Essentials Chapter 9: Telling the Story through LightingStyle, Planning, and PreparationACTION STEPS: Planning the Lighting[video] HOW DO I…? Light for Mood, with Russell Carpenter Three-Point LightingACTION STEPS: How to Set Up Three-Point LightingThe Lighting RatioContinuity and Your Lighting TriangleHow Much Light?Adjusting the LightsPRODUCER SMARTS: How Long Will Set-Ups Take?Outdoor LightingAdjusting for Weather and Time of DayPractical Outdoor Set-UpsIndoor LightingLighting DiagramsPractical Indoor Set-UpsSpecial Lighting SituationsLow Light and Mixed LightSkin Tone VariationsLighting for MovementLighting for VFXChapter Essentials Chapter 10: SoundPrinciples of Sound DesignPRODUCER SMARTS: The Sonic BusinessPlanning Sound DesignDialogue and Sound EffectsACTION STEPS: Annotate Your Script for Sound OpportunitiesThe Music PlanBUSINESS SMARTS: Licensing MusicSound RecordingRecording Best PracticesTECH TALK: AcousticsACTION STEPS: Using the Boom[video] HOW DO I…? Fulfill Sound Requirements, with Paul OttossonProduction Recording: DialogueRecording Sound EffectsRecording LevelsMicrophonesRecording EquipmentPost-Production SoundTECH TALK: Mixing ConsolesACTION STEPS: Prepping for Editing and MixingDialogue Editing ADRSound Effects EditingFoleyMusic EditingArt of the MixChapter Essentials　Part III: Production GlueChapter 11: Editing SkillsGetting StartedNLE HardwareNLE SoftwareOrganize a WorkflowPRODUCER SMARTS: Stretching ResourcesOrganize the AssemblyFiles and BinsTimelinesTechnical Assembly TechniquesACTION STEPS: Art of the Trim[video] HOW DO I…? Keep Track of Footage, with Mindy ElliottFinishingTECH TALK: Native EditingACTION STEPS: Adding Titles and GraphicsOffline/Online WorkflowColor CorrectionOutputting a Master FileChapter Essentials Chapter 12: Telling the Story through EditingThe Phases of EditingPRODUCER SMARTS: Watch YourselfFind the RhythmAnalyze the MaterialTransition In and OutACTION STEPS: Cutting a ConversationEditing BasicsThe StylesACTION STEPS: Art of the MontageThe RulesBreaking the Rules[video] HOW DO I…? Show Point of View Through Editing, with William GoldenbergTransitions and CutsTypes of TransitionsTypes of CutsChapter Essentials Chapter 13: Visual Effects and AnimationVFX OverviewPlanning Visual EffectsPRODUCER SMARTS: Affording Visual EffectsStoryboards and PrevisualizationTypical Visual EffectsACTION STEPS: Wire Removal[video] HOW DO I…? Embrace Simplicity in Visual Effects, with Ken RalstonCASE STUDYSpecial EffectsComputer Generated ImageryACTION STEPS: Plate PhotographyCharacter AnimationKey TechniquesMotion CaptureManaging DataChapter Essentials　Part IV: Filmmaking and BeyondChapter 14: Marketing and Distribution Defining the AudienceLearning from your Audience While You Work your MovieACTION STEPS: Preview ScreeningKinds of AudiencesReaching Your AudienceACTION STEPS: Messaging Your MoviePublicity and Promotion[video] HOW DO I…? Market My Movie Like a Pro, with Dennis OConnorACTION STEPS: Making Your Trailer Paid MarketingPRODUCER SMARTS: The Producers Role in MarketingDistributing Your FilmDistribution BasicsDIY DistributionFestivalsBUSINESS SMARTS: Distribution RightsACTION STEPS: Entering a Film FestivalStudio (Theatrical) DistributionDistribution PatternsExhibition VenuesThe Right DateWindowsBUSINESS SMARTS: PiracyChapter Essentials　Chapter 15: Careers in FilmmakingAnalyzing the Credit Roll[video] HOW DO I…? Decide on a Career Path, with Lucy Fisher and Doug WickNavigating the IndustryNetworkingInternshipsHelping YourselfACTION STEPS: Creating a Demo ReelBUSINESS SMARTS: Build Your Online PlatformChapter Essentials GlossaryIndex

About the Author :
Adam Leipzig is the CEO of Entertainment Media Partners, which provides informed guidance for independent media companies, financiers, and producers, and is the publisher of Cultural Weekly (www.culturalweekly.com). Adam teaches at Chapman Universitys Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, in the Executive Education program of UC Berkeleys Haas School of Business, and in UCLAs Professional Producing Program. He has overseen more than 25 movies as producer, executive, or distributor, including March of the Penguins; Dead Poets Society; Titus; Honey, I Shrunk the Kids; Amreeka; and The Story of the Weeping Camel. Adam served as president of National Geographic Films and as senior vice president at Walt Disney Studios, and in each of those positions was responsible for the movie industrys most profitable film of the year. He is the author of Inside Track for Independent Filmmakers: Get Your Movie Made, Get Your Movie Seen, a how-to manual with tips for solving the problems most faced by emerging and independent filmmakers. Adam worked his way through college with a number of summer jobs, including a stint as a garbage collector for the City of Los Angeles. He says it prepared him well for his work in Hollywood. Adam loves to hear from his readers; contact him at Adam@AdamLeipzig.com. After completing his MFA at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Barry worked on some of the most profitable, award-winning projects of the last 20 years. In the roles of animation executive, producer, and collaborator with Sony Pictures, Warner Brothers, Nickelodeon, and Turner Pictures, he has achieved an unparalleled record of success. Barry was instrumental in the creation of two animation studios, leading the teams that created the animated characters for the Stuart Little and Spider-Man franchises, plus characters for 20 additional films, such as Open Season and Academy Award nominee Surfs Up. He is credited on 62 films and shorts, two of which have won Academy Awards and eight additional nominations. Barry is also an Emmy Award winner. Barry began his Hollywood career as a tour guide at Universal Studios. He still has fond memories of his daily encounters with mechanical sharks and flash floods.Michael Goldman is a veteran entertainment-industry journalist and author, who has penned seven books, including his work coauthoring Filmmaking in Action. Among these are the New York Times bestseller John Wayne: The Genuine Article; Clint Eastwood: Master Filmmaker at Work, an authorized look at the legendary directors filmmaking techniques; and Reality Ends Here: 80 Years of USC Cinematic Arts, the definitive history of the worlds oldest and most famous film school. He is a frequent contributor to American Cinematographer magazine and writes for a host of industry publications, newsletters, and websites, including CineMontage, SMPTE Newswatch, and Post magazine.  Michael served for many years as senior editor of the famed industry trade journal Millimeter and, before that, as an editor at Daily Variety. In his work over the years, Michael has interviewed many of the worlds leading filmmakers across all disciplines. Learn more at his website, www.hollywood-scribe.com>.