Suspense with a Camera
Jeffrey Michael Bays
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Suspense with a Camera brings the secrets of suspense out of the shadows. Written for screenwriters and directors by a leading expert on Hitchcock techniques, you’ll have fresh insights on crafting suspense. These ideas have never been published before and share revelations that go far beyond the cliché knives, corpses, and blondes that many associate with Hitchcock. Suspense is such a basic part of storytelling it can even be used in romantic comedy!
How did Hitchcock manipulate his audience into a state of frenzy? Hitchcock scholar Jeffrey Michael Bays has made this question his life’s mission, and is here to share his top tips for escalating suspense and leaving your audience begging for more. Ideal for filmmakers of all kinds, these tips will enhance everyone’s creative works ― shorts, web series, TV episodes, and features.
Forensic Speak
Jennifer Dornbush
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Crime stories have always intrigued viewers and storytellers. Today, crime shows rule the airwaves and there is truly a procedural drama out there for every personality and every writer. Born out of the author s real-life experiences growing up around death investigation, Forensic Speak unlocks the secrets of forensic science for writers and fans alike. With a filmography of 100 film and TV examples and 80 additional resources, the book provides writers direct access to hundred of ways to make their crime writing more authentic. Forensics finally explained in lay people s terms. Takes readers behind the crime tape, lab doors, and into the morgue, to learn how things are really handled. Great resource for fact-checking scripts and stories. Glossary of 300+ forensic terms. Designed as a workbook for artists to enhance crime writing. Exercises to get writers and producers thinking like investigators. 100+ professional resources, including the author s secret picks. Hundreds of tips on how to use forensic science authentically in your writing. 80+ TV and film examples that show how forensic science can be applied across all genres.
Filmmaking for Change, 2nd edition
Jon Fitzgerald
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Grab a camera! Make a difference! Whether you are an experienced filmmaker looking to expose social wrongs or someone who has never made a movie but wants to, this is the book for you.
Recognizing that film is the most powerful form of social and political activism, you will learn the keys to unlock the powers of Filmmaking for Change, from story ideas to production, film festivals through distribution.
Whether you are looking to produce documentary or narrative projects, this is the resource that will help you get your project made!
Selling Your Story in 60 Seconds
Michael Hauge
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Your career can be made in 60 seconds – if you make the right pitch! Master the Elevator Pitch, even when you’ve got less than 60 seconds. Get your screenplay or Novel read by the major power of Hollywood – guaranteed!
Master Shots Vol 1, 2nd edition
Christopher Kenworthy
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Master Shots gives filmmakers the techniques they need to execute complex, original shots on any budget. By using powerful master shots and well-executed moves, directors can develop a strong style and stand out from the crowd. Most low-budget movies look low-budget, because the director is forced to compromise at the last minute. Master Shots gives you so many powerful techniques that you ll be able to respond, even under pressure, and create knock-out shots. Even when the clock is ticking and the light is fading, the techniques in this book can rescue your film, and make every shot look like it cost a fortune.
Each technique is illustrated with samples from great feature films and computer-generated diagrams for absolute clarity.
The Sound Effects Bible
Ric Viers
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According to George Lucas, “Sound is half the experience.” The Sound Effects Bible is the complete guide to recording, editing, and designing your own sound effects. If it snaps, crackles, pops, crashes, booms or bangs, it can be found somewhere in this first ever book on the black art of Foley and sound effects. Imagine how your movies will come to life by using tried-and-true sound techniques that give films like Lords of the Rings, Pirates of the Caribbean and There Will Be Blood deeper dimensions in storytelling.
This definitive book covers microphone selection, field recorders, the ABCs of digital audio, understanding digital audio workstations, building your own Foley stage, designing your own editing studio, sound design, and much more.
The Location Sound Bible
Ric Viers
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This title is a complete guide to recording dialog on location. The topics include audio basics, microphone selection, wireless systems, recording and mixing techniques, and the Ten Location Sound Commandments, but it’s more than just cables and connectors.
Make Some Noise
Ric Viers
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Every day, millions of teens upload and watch millions of videos on YouTube. Enter the age of digital filmmakers who don’t need a Hollywood studio or millions of dollars of equipment to make their stories come to life. While everyone many have access to the gear, the secrets and tricks that the pros use is where the real magic is found.
Make Some Noise shows the same techniques that The Sound Effects Bible author Ric Viers used to create the sound effects heard in HALO, Call of Duty, Lego Batman, Sons of Anarchy, Lost, and more! This book easily explains how sound works, recording techniques, editing basics, sound design tricks, and 100 sound effects to record at home.
Shaking the Money Tree, 3rd Edition
Morrie Warshawski
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Shaking the Money Tree became an instant classic when its first edition appeared in 1994. Now considered the “bible” on fundraising for independent noncommercial film and video, this new expanded 3rd edition takes media makers — and anyone interested in the art of fundraising — into the 21st century, and includes sidebars with practical advice from seasoned professionals in the field.
Warshawski completely demystifies the art of fundraising for independent film and video projects for student, emerging, and seasoned media makers. Shaking the Money Tree covers all the bases: private foundation and government grants, individuals, houseparties, and new alternative methods involving the Internet and social networking.
Directing Actors
Judith Weston
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Internationally-renowned directing coach Weston demonstrates what constitutes a good performance, what actors want from a director, what directors do wrong, script analysis and preparation, how actors work, and shares insights into the director/actor relationship.