Film Editing - Book Review

Released October 2009

Page count: 195 pages

Size: 11” x 7”

Film Editing

(Text) By Gael Chandler

Published By Michael Wiese Productions

http://shop.mwp.com/products/film-editing

- This review is in a series running this week and next, leading up to the Oscar nominations on Feb. 2nd. The series includes a profile of 8 books relating to past and present films, as well as the filmmaking process. Check out these titles to get a better understanding of what goes into the art of film.

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Film Editing Book Review By Erin V.

Reading this book right before watching a movie might make you slightly more heightened to the editing, but when editing is done really well in a good movie, the film should hook you in regardless. Although some books close to 200 pages on one subject can be hard to read from cover to cover, this one is fascinating and the way that the information is presented (visually), gives you a perfect glimpse into the world of film editing.

Reading this book has certainly given me loads of new information and a real sense of appreciation for what editors do. This awards season, I will certainly be watching where the awards are going to in the editing sector, and have a better understanding of why.

I love the way that so many things that we take for granted in filmmaking are so intricately planned. Like it says in the book at one point, editing with it’s rhythms, is like music. It has to have the right balance of rhythm, pace, and sequence. And when done right, we can enjoy it without even realizing all of the parts are put together so perfectly to make the whole. And that’s wherein lies the secret beauty of film editing.

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To find out more about Film Editing, or other books, visit Michael Wiese Productions’ website here.

Cinematography For Directors Book Review

Cinematography For Directors

Published By Michael Wiese Productions

Released August 1st, 2009

Page count: 277 pages

Cinematography For Directors

By Jacqueline B. Frost

http://shop.mwp.com/products/cinematography-for-directors

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Cinematography For Directors Book Review By Erin V.

This book has a nice balance between handy tips, examples (with pictures) from commonly known films, as well as technical information on camera types. And that’s what really works about this book. The information is presented in a retainable way, for both those versed and not yet versed in the language of cinematography.

In order to read this book though, you would have to have at least some interest in how films are made. If so, this is a good starting book with loads of information. I personally find the subject matter fascinating, and the book layout fresh and easily readable.

This is a valuable book for both professional cinematographers and directors, as well as for beginners/those looking to see if they want to get into the cinematography field.

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To find out more about Cinematography For Directors, and other books, visit Michael Wiese Production's website here.