Hi!
I am an actress looking to start getting more into directing for film! I have done a lot of choreography and movement direction, but I would love to hear any of your favorite books, articles, youtube videos or whatever to get more knowledge on film directing!
PS: I am in NYC if you know of any classes or workshops to check out here! :)
Thank you all!
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"Film Riot" on youtube.
I rent DVDs and watch "behind the scenes" making.
My fav "how to direct" book is "Shot by Shot" by Steven Katz. The book is in print everywhere.
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Dan MaxXx Yes! I love the behind the scenes things! And thank you! I'll check it out! :)
Erik Jacobsen Thanks so much for all of your suggestions! I will check them out! Hope you have a beautiful day! :)
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for practice to film and replicate your favorite scenes from movies.
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You can search for some filmmakers' masterclasses..you can also search for movies with director's commentary track. I think some of them are very good: http://www.ratethatcommentary.com/top100.php
I think also that some very good stuff about filmmaking you can find at Hollywood Camera Work: https://www.hollywoodcamerawork.com/
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There's directing the camera- as in where do you place it, when do you use movement say, a dolly-in, or a lateral move; when do you use a two-shot or a single and why? For these questions, I'd recommend FILM DIRECTING FUNDAMENTALS by Nick Proferes and SHOT BY SHOT by Stephen D. Katz.
And then there's directing the actor: How to speak to an actor to get the performance you want, how to analyze the material/script you're filming to help you get the performance you want, how to communicate with the actor and not say so much that you're cluttering her/his mind with unnecessary words etc. For this, I'd recommend CHANGING DIRECTION by Lenore Dekoven.
And for a sort of general take on filmmaking in Hollywood, I love- MAKING MOVIES by Sidney Lumet. And even if you don't plan on editing your own work I'd read the editing classic, IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE by Walter Murch.
And last I'd say shoot as much as you can because, at the end of the day, it's true: practice does make perfect, particularly with directing. Best of luck out there!
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There are lots of info on this topic on Youtube and there are a number of books (some dated) along with Director cuts on many DVDs. Track down the 'Cinematic Storytelling' book by Jennifer Van Sijll. It's a little dated but one of the best I've seen when it comes to understanding what I call cinematic vision. It's a very visual book that covers a shot-by-shot approach.
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For books, I like Hitchcock and Truffaut. While not "how-to" it has some gems in there on the concept of directing and the vision and feel of a film.
On-set infusion experience is great. Maybe see if you can volunteer on a shoot as 1st or 2nd AC. You'll be close to the action and get a clear sense of takes.
Mark Schaefer Good idea!! Thank you! :)
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Florin Şumălan Wow! So much on that list alone! I will definitely be watching these! Thanks!! :)
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Francisco Ordonez So many great suggestions on specific segments of the directing process. Thank you. I will see if I can get my hands on these ASAP! Thank youuu!
Doug Nelson Amazing! Yeah, I've been scanning YouTube for different topics. There's just a lot of contradicting advice, which is usual in any art since it's so subjective. But I will certainly be checking out that book! Thanks!!
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Philip Sedgwick That's a great suggestion! That's how this all started, I was doing movement direction on a music video and ended up helping in the other scenes as well, and I was shocked at how much I enjoyed the process! And I will check out that book as well! Thank you! :)
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Film Courage (filmcourage.com) interviews are some of the best insights into directing. And they are free. Books: (ones I wrote) Directing Feature Films and The Film Director's Bag of Tricks (for how to work with writers and actors). Workshops on The Travis Technique. https://thetravistechnique.com/workshops/5-day-travis-technique-intensive-workshop-for-directors/
Online. tifi.teachable.com.
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for any aspiring director I would recommend 'Making Movies' by Sidney Lumet. It is brief and to the point and a real inspiration from one of the greats.
Mark W. Travis Amazing! I will definitely check it out, and hopefully get to join you at a workshop sometime!! :)
Ruth Ducker Ohh! I love a brief read! :) haha thanks so much!
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Technical:
(1)
film directing
shot by shot
visualizing from concept to screen
by Steven D. Katz
(2)
film directing
cinematic motion
a workshop for staging scenes
by Steven D. Katz
Probably more interesting for someone who has done a lot of choreography and movement direction is the human aspects of directing:
(3)
I'll Be in My Trailer
The Creative Wars Between Directors and Actors
John Badham and Craig Modderno
Rutger Oosterhoff Thank you so much for these!! :)
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Ryan Connolly has a inexpensive but good online class that covers all the basics of filmmaking. Link: https://www.creativelive.com/class/guerilla-filmmaking-ryan-connolly/les...
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Check out the YouTube channel for StudioBinder. They have tons of videos on pretty much everything, direction, production, coloring, camera movement, with great examples.
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Cory Roth Okay! I'll check this outtt!! :)
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Angie Walls oh I will subscribe now! Yas! Thank you!
Amy, a bit of self-promotion here. I recommend my two books "Directing Feature Films" and "The Film Director's Bag of Tricks." And, beyond that, check out my interviews at Film Courage at https://bit.ly/31A8N3l.
Im a bit late to this party... but I recommend 'Making Movies' by Sidney Lumet. A must read for all aspiring directors. its a small book and might be considered dated by many, but it goes through each stage and demystifies the process, giving filmic examples of each point.