23 Essential Books Every Film-Making And Directing Student Should Read

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We all know that books serves as an essential tool for increasing knowledge. If you are a student of film-making and directing, you must possess the books that I am going to enlist in this article. Let's take a look at the top 25 essential books with every filmmaker's and director's bookshelf should be occupied with.

 1- The Filmmaker’s Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age (2013 Edition)

  •  Author:  Steven Ascher and Edward Pincus

 

Source: https://www.amazon.com/Filmmakers-Handbook-2013-Steven-Ascher/dp/0452297281

This book has been the part of almost every successful filmmakers and directors shelf for over 10 years! The most recent release of The Filmmaker's Handbook has revived the majority of the key learning which it has gotten to be known for and conveyed it up to date.

 2- In the Blink of an Eye (2nd Edition, 2001) 

  • Author: Walter Murch

It is definitely an essential-to-read for every filmmaker and director. A comprehensive book about film making and directing!

3- On Film-making: An Introduction to the Craft of the Director (2005)

  •  Author: Alexander Mackendrick, edited by Paul Cronin

Alexander Mackendrick's fundamental volume on the art of film making has for quite some time been an industry standard content, and one that has helped endless people locate their own particular cinematographic eye and make progress in coordinating.

 4- How to Shoot a Feature Film for Under $10,000 (And Not Go to Jail)

  • Author: Bret Stern

 

film

Source: https://www.amazon.com/Shoot-Feature-Film-Under-Jail/dp/0060084677

This book is ensured to change your way to deal with critical thinking making you much better in the process!

5- Directing: Film Techniques & Aesthetics (Fifth Edition, 2013)

  • Author: Michael Rabinger and Mick Hurbis-Cherrier

 It is a must-read for students at film making school. It covers all the aspects of film making and directing.

 6- Easy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-and-Rock ‘N’ Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (1999)

  •  Author: Peter Biskind

direct

Source: https://www.amazon.com/Easy-Riders-Raging-Bulls-Sex-drugs/dp/0747544212

 This book is frustrating as well as fabulous. Awesome, informative and interesting - The book described in three words!

 7- On Directing Film (1992)

  •  Author: David Mamet

Written particularly for directors or anyone working on the film, can benefit him/herself from this masterpiece!

8- The Hollywood Standard: The Complete and Authoritative Guide to Script Format and Style

  •  Author: Christopher Riley

 An amazing book which covers all the answers to the questions of newbies regarding film making and directing.

 9- The Name of this Book is Dogme95

  •  Author: Richard Kelly

In The Name of this Book is Dogme95 writer Richard Kelly sets out his voyage of introductory disclosure of the development and documentation of its fundamental players through meetings caught for the documantery. A must read!

 10- Rebel Without a Crew

  •  Author: Robert Rodriguez

 

books

Source: https://www.amazon.com/Rebel-without-Crew-23-Year-Old-Filmmaker/dp/0452271878

 A book well-written on film making and directing explaining all the fundamental aspects of film making and directing.

11- How an Independent Producer Blasts Through the Barriers to Make Movies That Matter: Shooting to Kill

  • Author: Christine Vachon with David Edelstein

 In her book, Vachon gives perusers a close look in the background to see how she and her creatings accomplices for all intents and purposes willed into presence a portion of the all the more difficult and noteworthy movies from the decade.

 12- Down and Dirty Pictures: Miramax, Sundance, and the Rise of Independent Film

  •  Author: Peter Biskind

 It is a supreme must-read to see how studio movies totally changed in the 1970's and how the free film industry developed with such constrain in the 1990's. This is a history book, you won't have any desire to put down once you begin to peruse it!

 13- First Time Director

  •  Author: Gill Bettman

Wonderful book for getting to the heart of what makes an effective first time executive. You just get a couple of shots in Hollywood and this book separates how best to take advantage of those open doors.

 14- True Fiction Pictures & Possible Films

  •  Author: Hal Hartley

In this book, you are not instructed how to make a film rather the author has provided the interviews of how he makes his films.. well what's more stimulating than that?

15- Selling Your Film Without Selling Your Soul by The Film Collaborative

  •  Author: Jon Reiss, and Sheri Candler

An interesting book about film making and directing written in storytelling format.

16- Save the Cat

  •  Author: Blake Synder

Source: www.amazon.com/Save-Last-Book-Screenwriting-Youll/dp/1932907009

Stimulating read that spotlights on film structure and the key beats you have to hit when composing screenplays. Used on movies like How to Train Your Dragon

17- Film Directing: Shot by Shot

  •  Author: Steven D Katz

This book is part of almost every single film student’s required reading! One of the most comprehensive book on film making and directing.

 18- The DSLR Filmmaker’s Handbook

  •  Author: Barry Andersson and Janie L. Geyen

 

Source: https://www.amazon.com/DSLR-Filmmakers-Handbook-Real-World-Production/dp/0470876603

In case you're new to DSLR film making, this is 'The Book'  for you!

 19- The Director’s Vision

  •   Author: Louise Catron

It presents an encyclopedic glance at different nations and times of film making that portrays their visuals style and predictable subjects all through their work. 

20- Making Movies

 Author: Sydney Lumet

 One of the best directing books written on the directing and film making process.

 21- Directing Actors

  •  Author: Judith Weston

Essential reading for creating procedures to pull the best exhibitions from your on-screen characters. This is a standout amongst the most generally referenced books on coordinating on-screen characters out there.

 22- Adventures in the Screen Trade

  • Author: William Goldman

 An amazing film making book, presenting the fun and useful behind the scenes experiences at Hollywood through the eyes of a standout amongst the best Oscar-winning screenwriters.

 23- Art of Dramatic Writing

  •  Author: Lajos Egri

Great book that separates the inhabitants of dramatization. Generally referenced in the film making scene.

 

 filmmak

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About the author

Hunaa

Introvert. PotterHead. Aka Book Worm. Engineer in progress. Teaching hobby. Frustrated Programmer. Tech Enthusiast & Content Writer. Always looking for Adventures. Love Netfix.

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