Book Description
Written by Stu Maschwitz, co-founder of the Orphanage (the legendary guerrilla visual effects studio responsible for amazing and award-winning effects in such movies as Sin City, The Day After Tomorrow, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire), this book is a must-have for all those budding filmmakers and students who want to produce action movies with visual effects but don't have Hollywood budgets. The Orphanage was created by three twenty-something visual effects veterans who wanted to make their own feature films and discovered they could do this by utilizing home computers, off the shelf software, and approaching things artistically. This guide details exactly how to do this: from planning and selecting the necessary cameras, software, and equipment, to creating specific special effects (including gunfire, Kung Fu fighting, car chases, dismemberment, and more) to editing and mixing sound and music. Its mantra is that the best, low-budget action moviemakers must visualize the end product first in order to reverse-engineer the least expensive way to get there. Readers will learn how to integrate visual effects into every aspect of filmmaking--before filming, during filming and with "in camera" shots, and with computers in postproduction. Throughout the book, the author makes specific references to and uses popular action movies (both low and big-budget) as detailed examples--including El Mariachi, La Femme Nikita, Die Hard, and Terminator 2.
Customer Reviews:
Devil Rebel.......2007-10-17
That rebel seems more a devil to me. Never read such an overwhelming serie of tips and tricks. Low-budget filmmakers shouldn't even start thinking about a film without reading this book.
Great !!
DV Rebel's Guide.......2007-10-17
I purchased this book for my Digital Media class. It is fantastic! It's fun, informative and an easy read. The DVD that comes with it has a great 'how to' commentary. Love it! Highly recommend it to anyone wanting to get into the biz!
Essential Reading for Indie Filmmakers.......2007-10-03
The DV Rebel Guide, by Stu Maschwitz, formerly a member of Industrial Light And Magic, explains in easily understandable, yet highly technical language, exactly how to create astounding visual effects using the kinds of cameras, computers, and software available to ordinary people. A Spielbergian budget is NOT required. In addition to his information, he offers many links to other websites of technical expertise and training,
You may be making a little family drama, rather than a shoot-'em-up, but the techniques in this book will increase your palette of possibilities. In other words, every indie movie maker can benefit from this book. It's essential reading, period. No one else has published anything like it.
Maschwitz assumes throughout that you are not an idiot or a dummy. Scores of color photos show exactly how every technique is done. He also runs an on-line forum; he and other digital rebels (some of whom are exceedingly experienced and clearly top pros) will help you through the rough patches.
Get this book, go out and make movies better than anything you thought you could do.
This is got the TRICKS!!!.......2007-09-23
Awesome book. My friends and I make ugly videos as a hobby and we've tried many things... but this book has some balls to the wall tricks. The guy is not a scaredy cat about shooting videos with minimal resources and lets you know how to make the most with what you've got. Also has great instructions on how to build your own stuff and pull crazy stunts. Grease up your baby, this is gonna have you running to your video camera with ideas as soon as you open it up!
love it.......2007-08-27
I've done video production professionally for several years and picked up some of these tricks from simple trial and error. What I love is how well Stu connects the techniques in this referrence and compares them to equivalent effects on film. And its not just informative, its enjoyable to read.
I recommend this book to anyone interested in making their videos stand out or looking to up their production value without spending a lot of money.
Average customer rating:
- iMovie 6 & iDVD: The missing Manual
- Great Step by Step Guide
- This book saved my life... in a roundabout way
- One of the best "how to" manuals I've bought
- Quite simply-THE BEST
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iMovie 6 & iDVD: The Missing Manual
David Pogue
Manufacturer: O'Reilly Media, Inc.
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iPhoto 6: The Missing Manual
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The Macintosh iLife 06
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Mac OS X Tiger: Missing Manual
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iMovie HD 6 and iDVD 6 for Mac OS X (Visual QuickStart Guide)
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iPod & iTunes: The Missing Manual, Fourth Edition
ASIN: 0596527268 |
Book Description
While the last version of iMovie gave moviemakers the ability to capture and edit widescreen High Definition Video (HDV) from the new generation of camcorders, iMovie 6 is all about the ease of moviemaking itself. iMovie 6 includes five professionally designed themes with backgrounds, motion graphics, titles, and effects that act as building blocks for your projects. You can preview transitions and stunning new video effects--such as time-lapse video--in real time using the full screen. Or edit audio and add sound effects with a new built-in sound studio. For presenting your movie, Magic iDVD offers easy-to-use themes, including new widescreen options.
Whether you're a professional or an amateur moviemaker, this is amazing stuff. But if you want to learn the full capabilities of these applications, Apple documentation won't make the cut. Instead, iMovie 6 & iDVD: The Missing Manual is the ideal third-party authority that covers all of these changes through an objective lens. This witty and entertaining guide from celebrated author David Pogue details every step of iMovie 6 and iDVD production. The book shows you how to:
- Work on multiple iMovie projects at once and drag & drop clips among them
- Output your creation to a blog, its own web page, or as a video podcast with iWeb
- Use "Magic iMovie" to import your video and make a movie for you
- Integrate with other iLife programs to use songs, photos, and an original soundtrack
- And a whole lot more
From choosing and using a digital camcorder to burning the finished work onto DVDs, posting it online, or downloading it to an iPod, iMovie 6 & iDVD: The Missing Manual zooms right in on the details in a clear, concise, and understandable manner. The book also provides a firm grounding in basic film technique so that the quality of your video won't rely entirely on magic.
Customer Reviews:
iMovie 6 & iDVD: The missing Manual.......2007-10-03
Having Missing Manuals 3 to 5 It is again most difficult to find what's new in Apples Version 6 amongst all the older information contained in the previously published "Manuals". If one was purchasing it for the first time it does a reasonable job.
Great Step by Step Guide.......2007-06-27
This book is a thoroughly attentive-to-detail manual that is true to it's name/concept: The manual that *should* have come in the box! It clearly walks you through every step, big and small as well as including sections on how to improve your filming, editing, and a concise Quicktime how-to.
I recommend reading the entire book before starting an iMovie/iDVD project but if you just can't wait (I couldn't-- I read as I went), I recommend reading Appendix B (pg. 461) which is "Troubleshooting" early on . It includes *many* crucial tips from being sure to format your external HD to Mac OS Extended (if saving on an ext. HD) to switching the factory-setting 12-bit audio on your digital video camera to 16-bit to common 'glitches' while importing, working with or exporting footage.
The other great benefit of this book is it explains the various little 'tricks' for more complicated tasks or for things that are hinky and need a little fiddling to work. One ex.: You use the new iMovie 6 themes w/in iMovie (Pass Through, especially, is slick/professional-looking!) and are trying to use a *trimmed* clip w/in the theme. iMovie doesn't understand starting it where you trimmed because it keeps the trimmed portion of the clip hidden but still there so the undesirable portion of your clip is shown in the intro theme instead. This book explains in detail how to save it to Quicktime and re-import the new *permanently* trimmed clip to use w/ no problems in your themed intro!
This book also spells out the key differences in iMovie 6 vs. previous versions. I HIGHLY recommend this book if you are looking to edit home movie footage (or other) using iMovie (& iDVD) and don't have your own personal Mac Genius in your household. :-)
This book saved my life... in a roundabout way.......2007-05-14
I recently purchased a Mac and edited my first film - a short documentary - on iMovie.
I had never used iMovie before and a good friend recommended this book and I couldn't have been more pleased. I haven't encountered a problem yet that this book hasn't addressed.
Well-written, simple and practical.
A great resource. Worth your time and money.
One of the best "how to" manuals I've bought.......2007-04-19
I have to admit that I was skeptical when I saw that this was a textbook for an introductory filmmaking class but it's an awesome book. It strikes just the right tone and is basically a short course in filming, editing and distributing (dvd, web, email) movies. Well done.
Quite simply-THE BEST.......2007-04-03
Simple and darn articulate. Im not a tech person in any sense of the way, Mr Pogue has outdone himself. He indeed has made understanding imovie very simple. Highly recommended if you are just starting out or if you wish to brush up on the latest version of Imovie
Book Description
Thanks to the digital revolution, film artists now have a spectacular array of powerful, new, inexpensive tools for creative expression through digital film. The once powerful studios can no longer stifle an artist's creativity. With the power of the Internet, film artists are finding once unimaginable ways to distribute their creations worldwide.
DV Filmmaking: From Start to Finish covers all aspects of the new digital video frontier, for amateurs and professionals alike--from the nuts and bolts of timecode and aspect ratio; to framing, lighting, and sound recording; as well as editing, special effects creation, and distribution.
The book is written for filmmakers at varying experience levels--taking an integrated approach to media production, and emphasizing the ways different aspects of the process work together to create a vital work of digital art:
- Hands-on detailed examination of the artistic aspects of film and video production
- Extensive examples use comprehensive step-by-step exercises for advanced editing techniques
- Scenes from successful films illustrate techniques used by professionals
- Includes a collection of professionally shot video clips, so the user can read and follow along with sets of structured exercises
- Develops a highly refined repertoire of advanced skills in editing, effects creation, title design, and more
- Inspires advanced readers to work with the included clips on their own and experiment with new ideas
- Written for both Mac and PC users and covers advanced uses of both Final Cut Pro and Adobe After Effects
Written in an engaging, accessible style, DV Filmmaking provides a solid foundation of tremendous value to a beginner, while addressing the fine points of filmmaking with a level of sophistication, detail, and insight that even the most worldly director or educator can appreciate. The author draws upon his years of experience teaching at the college and graduate level, his extensive professional background as a media producer, and his unmistakable love of cinema to create a text that's not only easy to learn from, but also fun to read.
Customer Reviews:
conceptos interesantes.......2007-09-02
este es un libro que explica de manera didáctica ,todos los procesos que tiene una producción audiovisual.
Muy bien ilustrado, con ejemplos que ayudan al nuevo realizador audiovisual a enfrentar sus primeras producciones de una forma segura, buscando que éste no cometa errores que luego pueden demeritar su trabajo.
La única crítica que tengo para hacer de esta obra, es que los ejemplos de montaje los realizan en programa específicos , como Final Cut, algo que de alguna manera deja sin posibilidades a aquellos que manejamos plataformas de edición diferentes.
A basic primer on differences between digital and print mediums.......2006-09-08
DV Filmmaking From Start To Finish by Ian David Aronson's will reach both amateur and professional digital video users with a basic primer on differences between digital and print mediums. Familiarity with Final Cut Pro or Adobe After Effects, the two programs used here, will aid in understanding DV applications in either PC or Mac formats, while the author's background as a teacher of digital media lends a logical progression to his tips and practical applied examples.
A strong reference for digital film making process.......2006-08-13
DV Filmmaking for Ian David Aronson gives you in 18 chapter a coverage for the production, post-production and distribution process of the digital film making.
The book starts with basic digital Cinematography principles. It covers he process stages such as composing shoots, lighting, shooting, working with cameras, audio, still images and titles.
This book doesn't give you a specific software tutorial, but if you are working learning with video production and video editing program, you should get a background about the whole film making process. However, this book gives you a strong background in this industry. I find this book useful for animators, multimedia designers and creative directors.
The two appendixes in the end of the book gives you a tips about getting your work in various media and selling your products.
Great Resource, Great Job!.......2006-07-04
DV Filmmaking- Start To Finish has been a great resource for my own first feature film Hot Rod Girls Save The World.
I had checked DV Filmmaking out from the Seattle Public Library last week, now I must buy one for my personal library. I find myself refering to it again and again.
Great Job!
D.A. Sebasstian
Go-Kustom Rekords & Films
A great book that gave me the answer !.......2006-06-22
A great book!
"DV Filmmaking" is an excellent book for anyone who wants to go beyond the basics of digital video.
I recently completed a video-based project for my M.A. thesis, and used this book as my guide. Each time I encountered problems, this book gave me the answer. For example, after I shot, I noticed some severe lighting trouble in a few very important interviews and I started to panic because I didn't have enough time to shoot them again. I had more than three hours of interview footage that looked pale, shady, and just plain depressing. Frustrated, I opened this book. The solution was there, in the section on color correction!!! I could fix my footage so that it was not only usable but looked really good.
I also relied on the section on compression and encoding to make
professional quality video for the Internet (something I would not have been able to do otherwise).
This book covers all aspects of the video production process, from planning, to production, and distribution. I'd like to
recommend it to anyone who is new to the world of digital video, as well as people who want to take their work beyond the level of
point-and-shoot to make something really creative.
Customer Reviews:
Too much programmation in it.......2006-07-05
I thought this would be a book about how to compress things in different modes so you could make the final results nicer...Its too much about creating codecs which I dont wanna do at all !
I was bored at first chapter ;o(
CD-ROM has value.......2005-10-14
Only CD-ROM has value, don't like the text. Not very useful to build anything.
Good as a general introduction.......2005-06-03
I would reccommend this book if you want to learn how compression works, where the limitations come from, where future improvemens may come from and what the standards are all about.
You won't find implementation details and mathematical rigour in this book ; its goal is to explain the concepts.
Excellent book.......2005-01-10
I liked this book very much. I graduated at a technical university and I wish I had had such good books there! The basics, the chapters on JPEG, MPEG-1, -2 and DV are extremely good and the other chapters give a good overview on the corresponding subjects. I do recommend this book to anyone interested in general video compression, or, e.g. how DVD works...
If I lost this book somehow I would definitely buy it again!
Not an h.264 Book.......2004-08-17
Richardson book (H.264 and MPEG-4 Video Compression) is the best book on h.264 -- by virtue of being the only one.
The cover of Symes' book proclaims "Featuring: JVT/H.264/MPEG-4 Part 10". However, there's one chapter on JVT, and it is somewhat sketchy. The only level of real detail is on the transform. The rest of the AVC/h.264 standard receives brief and superficial coverage. The coverage of WMV-9, an analogous next gen codec, is even sketchier. It doesn't mention the SMPTE VC-9 standardization effort, based on WMV-9.
Next gen codecs aside, it's not a bad book as a general overview of compression. It has a breezy style that's easy to read. While some sections are quite thorough, it doesn't consistently dig past the surface.
Here's an example:
"Context-based adaptive binary arithmetic coding (CABAC) is a development of arithmetic coding mentioned in Chapter 3."
-- page 243, Chapter 12, JVT
"Explanation of the arithmetic coding process is beyond the scope of this book."
-- page 47, Chapter 3, Entropy Coding
In a nut shell, this book is a good addition to the video processing bookshelf, but it won't stand as a definitive reference to this new protocol. Maybe next edition.
Book Description
Digital Compositing for Film and Video is a hands-on, how-to guide that addresses the problems and difficult choices faced by the professional compositor in real-life situations. This book presents you with tips, tricks and techniques for dealing with the badly shot elements, color artifacts, and mismatched lighting that bedevil compositors. Included in this book is: in-depth, practical methods for bluescreen matte extraction, despill operations, compositing operations, and color correction - the "meat and potatoes" of all digital effects. Written in a completely software independent style, it is totally applicable to any brand of compositing software.
The second edition contains many important additions:
* printed in full color with over 400 color photos and illustrations
* companion DVD with 3.7 gigabytes of test images, including hard to get HiDef video and feature film scans
* new section on working with HiDef video
* new section on digital intermediate, the feature film finishing process of today
* more Adobe Photoshop blending modes and procedures
* new material that reveals the add-mix composite, light wrap, slot gags, and how to defeat banding problems
Customer Reviews:
An Essential Guide and not just for compositors.......2007-07-08
If you've ever been on set and heard the catchphrase "fix it in post" this book is for you.
Not only is the information detailed and thorough, but also extremely readable. Some ironic asides demonstrate Wright has the experience to back up his text. He covers all levels of compositing, from basic luminance keying to green-screen/blue-screen, to color corection and matching foreground and background elements, motion tracking, alpha-channels (to premultiply or not premultiply) and the differences between film and video.
The book is not software specific, and the enclosed exercises and demonstrations can be done on most software with compositing features -- including Photoshop!
Why four stars and not five? The extra money demanded for addional exercises seems to be an unfair gouge. But the book is definitely worth the cover price! Even if you have no immediate aspirations at all to composite something, you'll at least see just how tough it can be.
Producers, Directors and Camera departments (aspiring or experienced) can all learn something here -- and with any luck they'll learn it before they light their next green/blue screen.
Too bad the cover is so damn ugly.
Must have.......2007-06-08
I bought it based on the first Edition and I wasn't wrong.
Its even better.
Nice book.......2007-05-13
This is a very complete and engaging book.
It's generic enough so that you can learn a lot regardless of your software/manual tools;
But it focuses enough on certain programs, that it is still useful for those specific users as well.
It was a gift for a relative, but I spent a few hours reading before giving it away...
A must have for your VFX library.......2007-01-05
If you're new to the effect industry or a seasoned pro this is still the bible for understanding what is happening under the hood of a compositing software. This is not software specific, but be it 'Shake' or 'an other' this will help you truly understand the what, when and why.
This book together with - Ron Brinkman's 'The Art and Science of Digital Compositing' - also available at Amazon, will hold you in good stead throughout your career.
It truly gives you the 'wow' factor.
Excellent book.......2006-12-15
Even advanced compositors will glean juicy bits from Steve Wrights' effort. I've read all the standard texts and this one stands with the best. Clear, friendly prose makes this book a comfortable read; read it two or three times and you'll find that you get a little something out of it on each pass. Whether your work end up in print, video or film, this is a must-have book.
Book Description
Have you ever watched a big-budget Hollywood movie and wondered "How did they do that?" or, perhaps, "How can I do that?" While digital technology greatly simplifies the filmmaking process, there are many tried-and-true production tricks that only those lucky enough to work in the world of high-budget professional film production get to know. The truth is that setting up a car chase, making a realistic-looking alien, staging a fistfight, creating atmospheric lighting, and using special effects are often not as difficult to master as you might think.
Digital Video Production Cookbook will show you how to create sophisticated-looking visual effects, dramatic shots, and powerful sequences using low-cost methods adapted from high-end professional techniques. Author and award-winning filmmaker Chris Kenworthy explains how you can use a digital video camera and basic editing software, to create high-end production values with household equipment and a little imagination.
The book includes easy-to-follow recipes for:
- Creating bluescreen effects
- Simulating rain, snow, and other natural phenomena
- Working with backlighting, simulated candlelight, and special lighting effects
- Shooting day for night
- Staging safe stunts, chase scenes, and fistfights
- Makeup techniques for aging, bruises, and serious injuries
- Shooting at night
- Working with camera movement
- Adding special effects such as laser bolts, holograms, and explosions
and much more.
Packed with full-color, step-by-step instructions, inspirational examples, and authoritative information and advice, this book is the ultimate, no-nonsense cookbook for every aspiring digital filmmaker.
Customer Reviews:
Very easy to read book with good info.......2007-09-13
I read through the book which was very informative, form ohh so thats how and TV never really was the same after. I have also tested out good part of it and got good resuslts. I would recommend it highly
Take a pass on this one.......2007-09-03
There are a view techniques described in this book that might come in handy someday, but the descriptions are not particularly thorough. The bottom line: this will make a good coffee table book but don't expect to learn too much.
Creative ideas for any video project.......2007-08-01
I was looking for a video book that shows methods of filming ideas. Just searching I ended up with very complex cinephotographer books that contained tons of detail but too complex for casual person like myself. Just happended to stumbled across this book and was really surprised at the clear writing style and easy to understand images. For making a simple film project with no budget I thought this was the perfect book.
If you are looking to improve your video skills or making a large student project, I would highly recommend this book. For the film student or professional these tips might be already covered in school. Many of the project require nothing special, just a standard video camera and basic editing software. This is a nice change from other books that almost require Adobe After Effects to produce a good special effect.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and will keep this in my video bag to spark any ideas I might need during filming.
EXCELLENT BOOK.......2006-03-25
very practical way of showing how to do multimedia effects at minimal or no cost. Good illustrations & straight to the point. very clear bullet points under the photos, No boring bulcky paragraphs.
I recomment this book, it's Excellent.
Some good some bad........2006-03-02
The lighting stuff is really nice. The special effects section is great, but some of the stuff at the end of the book is pretty cheesy at best. All in all, I found the book very useful.
Book Description
Software packages are complex. Shouldn't software books make it easier? Simplify your life with The Focal Easy Guide to Final Cut Pro 5! This short, full-color book lives up to its name by paring down the software to its essentials. It covers only the key features and essential workflow to get you up and running in no time. When time is of the essence, less is more.
With this book you can start cutting immediately, whatever you edit, whatever the format. This is an ideal introduction whether you are a professional moving over to Final Cut Pro from another package or system, a new user, or just someone who wants to get the best results from Final Cut Pro, fast!
* Save time, learn all you need to know to edit professionally with FCP5 in a few hours!
* Concise full-color coverage, written for FCP5 but relevant to all versions
Customer Reviews:
another Amazon fake-out........2007-04-25
This is NOT a book as all other reviewers have stated. This is an E-book for download only. Amazon is misleading by lumping all reviews together. When purchasing this, you will NOT receive any Hard copy at all.
Quick, easy to understand read and reference........2007-01-12
The first time I opened this book I was hooked on it.
It has a lot of pictures and real world terminology. I'm an audio engineer looking to get into post production and this book also used and explains a lot of production terms I never knew.
The other thing I like about this book compared to other Final Cut books is that it teaches you how to use this NLE from start to finish instead of jumping around, teaching you the video editing process out of order.
This book starts with setting up the program and optimizing FCP for yout computer. Then it go's onto capturing al the way to the finsihed product.
Definetly worth the small amount of money you'll pay for it...
View,Edit ,Print.......2007-01-10
This guide to Final Cut Pro 5 is excellent. Like it says it is geared toward the learning but adds trinkets from professionals. I am a producer at URTV public access Channel 20 here in Asheville,North Carolina and everyone at the studio depends on all productions to be worked out through Final Cut Pro. If you are just starting out -this is the book for you. Carry this as your new bible. If you are a professional -there is still plenty for you to learn..maybe different approaches but well worth the amount you'd pay for a copy. A great compliment to a great piece of software........
Pretty Basic.......2006-11-24
I really looked forward to reading this book, as I have been thinking of buying Final Cut Studio and a MAC to run it. (not cheap in Africa I can tell you) I was dissapointed ... all these 5 star reviews led me to expect more, instead, I found a book that is just plain average. Example ... In Adobe Premier & Avid Liquid I use the ripple tool quite a lot, this book does not cover it in useable detail, I had to borrow some time on a FCP suite to find out for myself. The book contains a lot of "history" about "how you would have done something 20 years ago" ... who cares!!!? I certainly don't ever want to see a half inch Lo-band umatic machine for the rest of my life. The colour illustrations are great but the detail and user tips are lacking, making it pretty ... but basic.
Exactly what I was looking for.......2006-10-31
I have been trying to teach myself Final Cut Pro recently, and was making some progress. However, using lots of trial and error and referring to the voluminous Help guide was taking up a whack of my time, time I would rather have spent just getting stuck into the editing. I wanted a book that would lay down all the groundwork for me. This book fits that requirement perfectly.
It's really nicely designed - easy on the eyes, lots of screenshots and step-by-step instructions, and an intuitive structure. The writing style doesn't treat you like an idiot, but it is simply written, clear and concise. It also shows the shortest and simplest ways of achieving things. The shortcuts that I've learnt alone have saved me a lot of time.
Some important points about the approach the book takes: firstly, it isn't a 'project-based' approach. I bought another book which used a CD with files on it to walk you through the step-by-step process of achieving an exact final product. I hated this approach - it made the book very difficult to use as a general reference. With the Focal guide, I just use the index to find out information on what I want.
Secondly, it is far more functional than stylistic. By this I mean it shows you how the various tools work, not recommendations on the effects you can achieve. You're left to do the monkeying around with all the filters and things to figure that part out by yourself - but at least you should be comfortable at the controls.
Thirdly, it's not going to teach you how to edit, in terms of the types of shots to cut together, framing, and so on. Either learn this somewhere else, or use your own creative instincts.
All of which adds up to the book delivering exactly what it promises: a guide to the software, for beginner to intermediate users. More advanced users will want more detail. Good price, great book, will get you up and running fast. Buy it.
Book Description
The Ultimate Resource for the World's Best Digital Video Editor
This full-color, hands-on guide introduces you to the powerful new features of Final Cut Pro 4, while leading you through all aspects of editing digital video. First you'll learn how to set up your workstation and master fundamental concepts. Then you'll learn pro-tested techniques for every stage of the process--everything from shooting tips to logging your footage, from adding transitions and special effects to delivering your masterpiece in multiple formats. Along the way, professional video editors emphasize the tricks and shortcuts they use to get polished results.
Striking illustrations and screen shots throughout, plus sample video project files on the DVD make it simple for you to visualize and grasp the concepts. Whether you're an emerging filmmaker or a seasoned vet, Final Cut Pro 4 and the Art of Filmmaking empowers you to complete the tasks that film editors face daily, such as:
- Mastering the new features, including unlimited real-time effects, auto rendering, motion blur, and time remapping
- Customizing the interface and keyboard shortcuts to best fit your work flow
- Editing clips in the Timeline quickly
- Creating complex overlays and transitions with contextual menus
- Expertly adding effects, applying filters, and working with text
- Creating titles with video generators and advanced Boris FX title generators
- Working with the audio tools to make your film sound as good as it looks
- Preparing your finished product for the Web, CDs, and DVDs
- Editing for 24fps
Featured on the DVD: All the clips you need to follow the lessons in the book, including a complete, fully edited short video documentary, and source material, so you can quickly get started working with real footage. Plus a bonus chapter on editing for 24fps.
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.
Customer Reviews:
eeeh.......2007-07-23
I've never used final cut before and this book doesn't dumb it down enough for a beginner. It does have lots of non beginner techniques however. If your just starting out wait on buying this book.
Great book! .......2005-09-09
Easy book to learn for dummies like myself. Lots of pictures and easy content.
Book Description
Have you noticed the renaissance of documentary filmmaking going on around you? Some are inspired by the work of legendary directors and cinematographers such as the Maysles brothers, D.A. Pennabaker & Chris Hegedus, Errol Morris, or Ken Burns. Others follow their own idols or simply set their own course. Inexpensive video camera equipment and video editing software have helped fuel this new wave of truth-tellers, bringing the tools of the craft within reach of amateurs and students, as well as independent journalists and filmmakers on a budget.
In The Art of the Documentary, the directors, editors, cinematographers, and producers behind today's most thought-provoking nonfiction films reveal the thought processes, methods, and collaborations that have guided their efforts- from project conception to developing, producing, shooting, editing, and releasing some of the finest documentary films of recent decades.
This richly illustrated volume, which will appeal to professional and aspiring filmmakers, as well as documentary enthusiasts, features conversations with director Ken Burns (The Civil War, Jazz, Baseball), director/cinematographer D A Pennebaker (Dont Look Back, The War Room), director/cinematographer Albert Maysles (Gimme Shelter, Grey Gardens), director Errol Morris (The Fog of War, The Thin Blue Line), director Chris Hegedus (Startup.com, Down from the Mountain), editor Larry Silk (Pumping Iron, Wild Man Blues), cinematographer Buddy Squires (The Civil War, Ram Dass, Fierce Grace), director/producer Lauren Lazin (Tupac: Resurrection, Journey of Dr. Dre), editor/director Paula Heredia (The Vagina Monologues, In Memoriam: New York City, 9/11/01), director/cinematographer Kirsten Johnson (Fahrenheit 9/11, Innocent Until Proven Guilty), and editor Geof Bartz (Lenny Bruce: Swear to Tell the Truth, He's Having a Baby). And with contributions by: Sheila Nevins, President of HBO Documentaries and HBO Family, Carol Dysinger, film editor and professor, NYU Film School, and Haskell Wexler, cinematographer.
Customer Reviews:
Artfully Done.......2006-03-11
The Art of the Documentary
By Mary Cunningham
Review by Pi Ware
Mary Cunningham's "The Art of the Documentary" is an attractive full-color compilation of interviews with some of the world's foremost documentarians. It's an intimate and insightful glimpse into both the art and craft of docs and a must-read for filmmakers serious about creating non-fiction work. You'll learn how Errol Morris creates "first-person cinema" using The Interrotron; why Ken Burns locks music before script, how D A Pennebaker futhered art via technology, and how cinema-verité documentarians like Haskell Wexler are able to "inspire" scenarios within their films.
Notably missing are the king of the personal documentary, Ross McElwee, and the masterful doc team of Bruce Sinofsky and Joe Berlinger. But Cunningham fills the spaces with interviews of the behind-the-scenes players--editors, executives and cinematographers. And in doing so she gives you a broader picture of the doc world and deeper insights into what it will take for you to make a successful non-fiction film.
Nonfiction documentaries reveal the methods and focus their directors.......2005-11-09
Megan Cunningham's Art Of The Documentary offers ten conversations with some of the best documentary directors, editors and producers in the industry. Nonfiction documentaries reveal the methods and focus their directors, which is captured in chapters which begin with project concept and move through the entire production process. Plenty of color photos illustrate each director's works.
Mentors Supplied.......2005-11-02
Ever wanted Ken Burns or others in the pantheon of documentary greats as your personal film making mentor? This book gives you that and more. This versatile book is as perfect for someone just starting out in documentary films as it is for a veteran who wants in on a few secrets of the masters. Our film production company read from it aloud on location and everyone, from the producer to the cinematographer to the researchers, all gleaned practical tips from it. The interviews are substantive, insightful and most importantly, very useful. A real keeper for those interested in learning nuances and techniques from a wide range of documentary styles.
Riveting reading.......2005-07-27
Consider this book a master class in documentary filmmaking.
Megan Cunningham's interviews are incredibly engaging - she manages to at once explore each documentarians' creative process, AND discuss how these various filmmakers achieved their success, AND to discuss specific films in-depth AND to elicit the filmmakers' fascinating views on theoretical issues such as what constitutes "cinema verite" or whether documentaries can be considered art.
Furthermore, Cunningham's book is wonderfully readable and well organized (and full of photos!). I especially enjoyed how Cunningham devoted equal space to such luminaries as Errol Morris and lesser known but equally powerful documentarians such as Lauren Lazin. The book manages to seamlessly cover more than 50 years of American filmmaking and it's wonderful to have the thoughts of multiple generations of directors, editors, and cinematographers compiled in one volume.
Whether you're a fan of documentaries, an aspiring documentary filmmaker, or unfamiliar with the entire field and would like to learn more, "The Art of the Documentary" is the book for you.
A must for students or anyone who wants to make docs.......2005-07-27
More so than anything else, this book is informative. In 10 interviews Cunningham does a great job of getting to the core of the passion for doc filmmaking of 10 of the biggest names in the genre (Burns, Morris, Lazin, Bartz, etc.).
Beyond getting a glimpse into the filmmakers' drive, the interviews also offer plenty in terms of understanding technique and the general "how-to."
This book is a must for anyone interested in movie making, be it practically, or academically. It's an engrossing read.
Average customer rating:
- Check Out the New Edition
- best introduction
- samples don't work with Avid Xpress DV 4.6
- One of the best books on Avid
- Simply Incredible!
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Avid Editing: A Guide for Beginning and Intermediate Users, Second Edition
Sam Kauffmann
Manufacturer: Focal Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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The Avid Handbook : Intermediate Techniques, Strategies, and Survival Information for Avid Editing Systems, 4th Edition
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ASIN: 0240805410 |
Book Description
This text is for beginning to intermediate users of Avid Xpress, Xpress DV, or Media Composer. These digital editing systems offer a tremendous number of tools that open up myriad creative possibilities for the film and videomaker, but are as a result difficult to master. The chapters guide readers through an editing project, while the accompanying DVD provides narrative footage to download for immediate, hands-on practice. The book can be read and studied at home, or while sitting in front of an Avid, following the book's step-by-step instructions.
The new edition is updated to reflect the latest versions of Avid software, including an emphasis on the Xpress DV for Mac and Windows. There is also new material on Script Integration, a powerful tool now available on almost all of Avid's products, and a new chapter on how Avid can help the reader create material for current and future widescreen television formats.
·A beginning text designed for anyone new to the Avid
·Complete step-by-step instructions assume no prior knowledge
·Companion DVD contains footage from a narrative scene, so students can begin editing immediately
Customer Reviews:
Check Out the New Edition.......2006-04-14
Dear Readers: There is a new edition of this book (3rd Edition) available that covers the latest versions of Avid's software, including Xpress Pro HD. It also includes information about editing 24p, HD, HDV projects. I hope you find it useful. Best, Sam Kauffmann
best introduction.......2006-02-12
I was a Media 100 editor for many years and my company switched to the Avid on Jan. 9, 2006. I didn't take any training but, I bought a training DVD set and 3 books. This book was the best, by far. It is presented by an editor who explains what you really need to know to get going and how to work around maintaining sync, etc. It was great. In less than a month, I completed 2 projects without a problem. I'm using Media Composer Adrenaline on a Mac.
:)
samples don't work with Avid Xpress DV 4.6.......2006-01-13
The book jacket says that the book's DVD-ROM will work with Xpress DV 3.0 and higher. The .omf video files were compressed at 20:1 using Media Composer and Xpress DV 4.6 does not support the 20:1 resolution, meaning that the sample video files cannot be imported and used in Xpress DV 4.6. This is a shame, because it seems like a good book and this is not really a problem that the author could have foreseen. Unfortunately, most places won't let you return a book after the DVD has been opened, so let this be a warning, FYI. Hopefully the upcoming 3rd edition will fix this problem.
One of the best books on Avid.......2006-01-09
This book was a part of our school curriculum for a class on Avid Editing. I didn't realise the value of this book while in School, but now sitting on the Avid a year and half later I wouldn't have survived without this book. I also went and looked up some other books but what's great about this one is that the information is very well organized and if you're on the Avid and get stuck... referencing stuff is really fast, as it's all laid out in simple step by step instructions. For any level editor, pro or novice, I would highly reccomend this book.
Simply Incredible!.......2005-07-13
I can not "truly" put into words how great this book is written. Sam Kauffmann not only shows you the tools in the AVID system, but with "every" tool gives you the reason and purpose for it. Unlike other manuals, you really feel that you have grasped the concepts for each chapter before moving on. I am working efficiently, intelligently, and creatively in Avid because of this book. Sam Kauffmann is a professor at Boston University, and after reading this book I can honestly say if I were a student at BU...I would never skip his class! Simple Incredible!
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