It’s not focused on production, but IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE is a great book about editing and general film conception/creation—cinematic thought about the world—that is varied, engaging, quick and easy to read.
making movies by sidney lumet
thinking in pictures by john sayles
Try What They Don’t Teach You In Film School by Camille Landau and Tiare White. That’s the first one that pops into my head. I might know more titles, but that one comes immediately to mind. I might leave another post at some future date with more book titles. Hope that helps.
VISUAL STORY by Bruce Block is an ABSOLUTE MUST! Unfortunately it is not used enough in film programs.
Film Directing: Shot by Shot is a standard. I also appreciate how simple it’s layout and writing is – not too technical.
Producing Great Sound by Jay Rose is fantastic. Most filmmakers never take the time to learn sound, though it’s arguably as or more important that visuals. ***The author himself is actively involved in the DV.com forums, so you can ask him questions!
Lighting by John Jackman is the accompanying book to the Rose’s sound book. Like Rose’s book, it concise, clearly written and filled with fantastic diagrams! Jackman may also be in the forums, though I’m not certain.
Nuts and Bolts of Filmmaking is a great book for a handyman type kid who wants to make DIY gear!
Master Shots is a fun book to inspire a kid, but a bit dangerous since the kid may want to use the shot because it’s “cool” rather than needed.
Beauty in Photography by Robert Adams would be for a smart/deeper kid that really wants to dig deeper into the art of film.
Cheers!!!
-Christopher
If you shoot me your email, I have hundreds of ebooks / pdf’s I’d love to share with you (or anyone else) that’s interested!
Best of luck!
-Joshua
I really enjoyed “My First Movie,” also check out “Sculpting in Time” by Tarkovsky and the Truffaut Hitchcock interviews.
ALSO: Kim Jong il wrote a book on film, something like a “how to” book… discovered this in the movie “Red Chapel.” Should be an interesting read to say the least…
I honestly think it would be significantly more benefitial to be on the set with another amateur director rather than buying another book. Exchange ideas with him/her and you’ll likely get more out of that than a book.
Seems like he’ll get that in college, no? While I do agree that you need to be hands on, there’s nothing wrong with having some theory in your noggin.
Rick Schmidt’s ‘Feature Filmmaking at used-car prices’ and the more recent ‘Extreme DV at used-car prices’ are said to be very useful for the aspiring independent filmmaker.
The Cameron Crowe/Billy Wilder interviews.
I really find the Director on Director series a really good read.
And I really want to read Michael Powell’s autobiographies.
Wenmar
Can anyone recommend me a good film-making book for a high school senior? (or college student)?