Cover: Filmmaking in Action, 1st Edition by Adam Leipzig; Barry S. Weiss; with Michael Goldman
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Filmmaking in Action

First Edition ©2016 Adam Leipzig; Barry S. Weiss; with Michael Goldman

The one-stop resource for students

Script.   Direction.   Design.   Production.   Sound.   Lighting.   Editing.   Effects.   Animation.   Marketing.   Careers.   It’...
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ISBN:9781319116903

ISBN:9780312616991

Cover: Filmmaking in Action, 1st Edition by Adam Leipzig; Barry S. Weiss; with Michael Goldman

The one-stop resource for students

Script.   Direction.   Design.   Production.   Sound.   Lighting.   Editing.   Effects.   Animation.   Marketing.   Careers.   It’s all here.

With storytelling and collaboration as core principles, industry insiders Adam Leipzig (former President of National Geographic Films), and Barry Weiss (former head of animation at Sony Pictures), with Michael Goldman (prominent journalist and industry expert), guide students through the skills and the craft of video and filmmaking. With unparalleled access to the industry’s most accomplished and insightful professionals, budding filmmakers will learn techniques from the very best. This soup-to-nuts book is one students will keep, and keep using, for years.

When the book is packaged with LaunchPad for Filmmaking in Action, readers gain access to exclusive "How do I?" tips videos with professionals who have worked on movies like Ant Man, Argo, Divergent, Unbroken, The LEGO Movie, Inception, Fight Club, Pineapple Express, Nebraska, The Imitation Game, Alice in Wonderland, Titanic, The Rock, Winters Bone, Star Wars, and many more.

Features

  • How to guidance on all areas of video and filmmaking from expert authors who addresses technical logistics, storytelling challenges, and business complexities, all in a single comprehensive book.
    • Authors Adam Leipzig and Barry Weiss have spent years in the film industry and know the art, tech, and business of Hollywood inside and out.

    • How Do I? videos within LaunchPad are exclusive interviews with filmmakers that offer real advice to students. The participating directors, writers, producers, editors, designers, and other industry insiders have worked on movies ranging from blockbusters to indies, including The LEGO Movie, Divergent, Back to the Future, Ant-Man, Zero Dark Thirty, Snow Angels, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Winters Bone, Heat, and many more.

    • A focus on storytelling and collaboration that makes Filmmaking in Action the perfect guide for any career in the film industry, from indies to Hollywood to television.

      • Dual chapters on cinematography, lighting, and editing offer dynamic perspective on both technical mastery and the aesthetic side--how to create effective, memorable moments in a films story.

      • Additional case studies within LaunchPad for Filmmaking in Action offer first-person accounts of collaborations, obstacles, and problem-solving situations on movie sets ranging from micro-budget indies to major big-budget productions.

      • Video Tools within LaunchPad for Filmmaking in Action enable instructors create video assignments for the class, group, and individual. Instructors and students can upload and embed video, and assess and collaborate on video using time-based comments and rubrics – perfect for film coursework!

      A full spectrum of information, hints, and tips are included in a series of features that encourage students to look at filmmaking from different and productive angles:

      • Tech Talk discusses the hardware filmmakers will encounter in the classroom and on the job.

      • Business Smarts explains the ins and outs of financing and deal-making before, during, and after production.

      • Producer Smarts provides big-picture examples of a producers role and how it connects to the rest of the crew.

      • Action Steps break processes from all areas of filmmaking down to easy-to-follow instructions and advice. All of these features appear throughout the books chapters, providing a variety of perspectives on technology, business, and production management.

      • Tips and Practice in the margins brings together even more expert advice with well-crafted assignments allowing students to apply the advice.


        LaunchPad for Filmmaking in Action         (available at a discount when packaged with the book or purchased on its own) combines an interactive e-book with high-quality multimedia content and ready-made assessment options. Pre-built, curated units are easy to assign or adapt with your own material, such as case studies, How Do I? videos, quizzes, and more. LaunchPad also provides access to a gradebook feature that provides a clear window on the performance of your whole class, individual students, and individual assignments. While a streamlined interface helps students focus on what’s due next, commenting tools let them engage, make connections, and learn from each other. Use LaunchPad on its own, or integrate it with your school’s learning management system so your class is always on the same page.　

New to This Edition

"Filmmaking in Action manages to capture every detail and nuance of the incredibly complex filmmaking process, and will remain as current as the latest blockbuster thanks to its innovative integration of online resources. This is an invaluable guide for anyone interested in a film career or simply wanting a deeper understanding of what goes into the making of what goes onto the silver screen."　
– Jeffrey Katzenberg, CEO, DreamWorks Animation

"There are so few books about how to make movies from start to finish that are both incredibly detailed yet easily digestible. Filmmaking in Action is a generous resource that can provide real guidance to film novices and professionals alike."　
– Amy Pascal, chairperson, Motion Pictures Group of Sony Pictures Entertainment, 2006-2015

"My hat is off to the authors of Filmmaking in Action. I wish I’d had a book like this back when I was a film student."　
– Jim Morris, President, Pixar Animation Studios

"There are few joys in life that can equal the euphoria of making a beautiful film.　Filmmaking in Action is a powerful tool to accomplish that goal."　
– Matthew Modine, actor (Full Metal Jacket; The Dark Knight Rises)

"The kind of textbook youll want to keep handy so you can refer to it again and again."　
–Joe Pichirallo, Chair, Undergraduate Film & Television, NYUs Tisch School of the Arts, Kanbar Institute

"If you are a filmmaker, or aspire to become one, Adam Leipzig, Barry S. Weiss and Michael Goldman are the teachers you need."　
–Nikki Finke, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus and Founder, Deadline Hollywood

"Filmmaking in Action is to film textbooks what D.W. Griffith was to the movies."　
–Doug Wick, producer (Gladiator; Divergent)

"In Filmmaking in Action, the authors take the business and creative sides of the filmmaking process and beautifully combine them. Its a practical guide, written in a sophisticated, yet understandable way. Im going to recommend it to all of our students."　
–Joe Rosenberg, Director of Professional Programs, UCLA

"What clearly distinguishes this book from others is its access to the experience and knowledge of accomplished filmmakers who tell the reader how it really works in the filmmaking process. This guide efficiently gets to the heart of the matter, quickly providing any new filmmaker with the insights and tools that will accelerate their own journey."　
–Russell Carpenter, ASC (Titanic; Ant-Man)

"Filmmaking in Action　richly navigates the complexity of the world behind the frame. From articulating overarching concepts to outlining the detailed nuances of the industry, the book is a comprehensive resource for individuals interested in learning the field.　
–Alex McDowell, creative director and production designer (Fight Club; Minority Report; Man of Steel)

"The definitive text on how movies are made today, filled with tips from the top people in the business, and written in a style perfect for students and emerging filmmakers. If you want to learn how to make movies, this is the one book you absolutely need."　
–Ruth Vitale, Executive Director, CreativeFuture　

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Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Big Picture

Why Make a Film?

ACTION STEPS: Getting Started

Three Filmmaking Principles

Six Filmmaking Viewpoints

PRODUCERS SMARTS: Congratulations, You Are a Movie Producer!

[video] HOW DO I…? Get My First Movie Made, with Cherien Dabis

The Filmmaking Path

BUSINESS SMARTS: Taking Care of Business

Chapter Essentials

　

Part I: Concept and Preparation

Chapter 2: Start with the Script

Where Do Ideas Come From?

Original Ideas

ACTION STEPS: Brainstorming Ideas

Source Material

Intellectual Property

Rights and Title

Fair Use

Theme, Story, and Character

"It’s about someone who…"

Structure

ACTION STEPS: How to Avoid Writing a Bad Student Film
Writing and Screenplay Formats

ACTION STEPS: How to Get Started Writing Your Script

Development

Developing Your Script

[video] HOW DO I…? Respond to Script Notes, with Julia Camara

BUSINESS SMARTS: A Writers Contract

The Studio Development Cycle

PRODUCER SMARTS: How to Work with the Writer

Chapter Essentials

　

Chapter 3: Directing

The Director’s Role

PRODUCER SMARTS: Producer and Director, A Working Relationship

Seeing Your Project through a Directors Eyes

Getting the Script and Working It

ACTION STEPS: How to Mark Up Your Script

Casting Actors

BUSINESS SMARTS: Agents, Managers, and Lawyers

ACTION STEPS: The Audition Process

Selecting Department Heads

Planning and Visualizing the Shoot

Planning the Shoot

Visualizing the Shoot

[video] HOW DO I…? Set the Tone On-Set, with David Gordon Green

Different Styles of Aesthetics and Leadership

Working On-Set

ACTION STEPS: How to Work with Actors

Supporting Positions

Working the Movie You Just Shot

Finishing the Movie

"Final" Cut

Chapter Essentials

　

Chapter 4: Conceptualization and Design

The Principles of Design

Composition Elements

Mis-en-Scène

ACTION STEPS: Choosing a Color Palette

TECH TALK: Color Theory in Design

[video] HOW DO I…? Use Design to Tell a Story, with Alex McDowell

Design Plan

ACTION STEPS: Design Analysis

Research and References

PRODUCER SMARTS: Dumpster Diving

Locations

Sets

TECH TALK: Common Set Structures

Previsualization

Sketches and Storyboards

Digital Previs

TECH TALK: Digital Storyboard Tools

Chapter Essentials

 

Chapter 5: Production Planning and Management

Management Overview

BUSINESS SMARTS: Business, Insurance, and Legal Requirements

Scheduling

Script Breakdown

Shooting Schedule

ACTION STEPS: Be Prepared

[video] HOW DO I…? Manage My Productions Details, with Lulu Zezza

Budgeting

Budget Document

Be Resourceful

ACTION STEPS: Planning Crew Meals on a Tight Budget

PRODUCER SMARTS: Finding Funding

Chapter Essentials

　

Part II: Images and Sound

Chapter 6: Camera Skills

Your Screen is Your Canvas

Aspect Ratios and Formats

ACTION STEPS: Shooting for Multiple Formats

Special Formats: 3D Stereoscopic and Giant Screen

PRODUCER SMARTS: Creative Discussion about the Look of the Film

Image Capture Media and Machines

TECH TALK: What Are You Seeing?

Digital Cameras

How Digital Cameras Work

TECH TALK: Picking on Pixels

[video] HOW DO I…? Prepare the Camera, with Jacob Pinger

Types of Digital Cameras

ACTION STEPS: Using Your Digital Camera

Film

Film Formats and Film Stock

How Film and Film Cameras Work

ACTION STEPS: Using a Film Camera

TECH TALK: Go Negative!

Lenses

Focal Length

Focus

Key Factors: Shutter and Aperture

Depth of Field

ACTION STEPS: Rack Focus and Depth of Field

Supporting and Moving the Camera

BUSINESS SMARTS: The "Camera Package"

Chapter Essentials

　

Chapter 7: Telling the Story with the Camera

Basic Shots

Long Shots

Medium Shots

Close Shots

Camera Angles: How You View the Scene

ACTION STEPS: Low Budget Dutch Angle Trick

ACTION STEPS: Dirty vs. Clean

Composition

What is Good Composition?

PRODUCER SMARTS: Composition Outside the Frame

ACTION STEPS: Shooting People and Objects

Composition in the Moving Frame

Composition and Lenses

ACTION STEPS: Low-Budget Hacks to Make Your Student Film Look High-Budget

Creating Images for Continuity

How to Shoot a Scene

Don’t Cross the Line!

Eyelines, Visual Effects, and Animation

[video] HOW DO I…? Motivate the Camera, with Mandy Walker

BUSINESS SMARTS: How Many Shots Do You Need?

Chapter Essentials

　

Chapter 8: Lighting Skills

Qualities of Light

Shadows and Contrast

Directional and Diffused Lighting

Measuring Lighting

Exposure

Approaches to Exposure

Elements of Exposure

Exposure in Action

ACTION STEPS: Solving Exposure Problems

Color

Color Temperature

White Balance

Lighting Gear

ACTION STEPS: Lighting Safety First!

TECH TALK: Dont Blow that Circuit!

Lighting Instruments

Exterior Lights

Interior Lights

[video] HOW DO I…? Light with Minimal Tools, with Willie Dawkins

BUSINESS SMARTS: Renting Lights

PRODUCER SMARTS: How Much is Enough?

Mounting Equipment

Diffusers, Gels, and Cookies

Chapter Essentials

 

Chapter 9: Telling the Story through Lighting

Style, Planning, and Preparation

ACTION STEPS: Planning the Lighting

[video] HOW DO I…? Light for Mood, with Russell Carpenter

Three-Point Lighting

ACTION STEPS: How to Set Up Three-Point Lighting

The Lighting Ratio

Continuity and Your Lighting Triangle

How Much Light?

Adjusting the Lights

PRODUCER SMARTS: How Long Will Set-Ups Take?

Outdoor Lighting

Adjusting for Weather and Time of Day

Practical Outdoor Set-Ups

Indoor Lighting

Lighting Diagrams

Practical Indoor Set-Ups

Special Lighting Situations

Low Light and Mixed Light

Skin Tone Variations

Lighting for Movement

Lighting for VFX

Chapter Essentials

 

Chapter 10: Sound

Principles of Sound Design

PRODUCER SMARTS: The Sonic Business

Planning Sound Design

Dialogue and Sound Effects

ACTION STEPS: Annotate Your Script for Sound Opportunities

The Music Plan

BUSINESS SMARTS: Licensing Music

Sound Recording

Recording Best Practices

TECH TALK: Acoustics

ACTION STEPS: Using the Boom

[video] HOW DO I…? Fulfill Sound Requirements, with Paul Ottosson

Production Recording: Dialogue

Recording Sound Effects

Recording Levels

Microphones

Recording Equipment

Post-Production Sound

TECH TALK: Mixing Consoles

ACTION STEPS: Prepping for Editing and Mixing

Dialogue Editing

ADR

Sound Effects Editing

Foley

Music Editing

Art of the Mix

Chapter Essentials

　

Part III: Production Glue

Chapter 11: Editing Skills

Getting Started

NLE Hardware

NLE Software

Organize a Workflow

PRODUCER SMARTS: Stretching Resources

Organize the Assembly

Files and Bins

Timelines

Technical Assembly Techniques

ACTION STEPS: Art of the Trim

[video] HOW DO I…? Keep Track of Footage, with Mindy Elliott

Finishing

TECH TALK: Native Editing

ACTION STEPS: Adding Titles and Graphics

Offline/Online Workflow

Color Correction

Outputting a Master File

Chapter Essentials

 

Chapter 12: Telling the Story through Editing

The Phases of Editing

PRODUCER SMARTS: Watch Yourself

Find the Rhythm

Analyze the Material

Transition In and Out

ACTION STEPS: Cutting a Conversation

Editing Basics

The Styles

ACTION STEPS: Art of the Montage

The Rules

Breaking the Rules

[video] HOW DO I…? Show Point of View Through Editing, with William Goldenberg

Transitions and Cuts

Types of Transitions

Types of Cuts

Chapter Essentials

 

Chapter 13: Visual Effects and Animation

VFX Overview

Planning Visual Effects

PRODUCER SMARTS: Affording Visual Effects

Storyboards and Previsualization

Typical Visual Effects

ACTION STEPS: Wire Removal

[video] HOW DO I…? Embrace Simplicity in Visual Effects, with Ken Ralston

CASE STUDY

Special Effects

Computer Generated Imagery

ACTION STEPS: Plate Photography

Character Animation

Key Techniques

Motion Capture

Managing Data

Chapter Essentials

　

Part IV: Filmmaking and Beyond

Chapter 14: Marketing and Distribution

Defining the Audience

Learning from your Audience While You Work your Movie

ACTION STEPS: Preview Screening

Kinds of Audiences

Reaching Your Audience

ACTION STEPS: Messaging Your Movie

Publicity and Promotion

[video] HOW DO I…? Market My Movie Like a Pro, with Dennis OConnor

ACTION STEPS: Making Your Trailer

Paid Marketing

PRODUCER SMARTS: The Producers Role in Marketing

Distributing Your Film

Distribution Basics

DIY Distribution

Festivals

BUSINESS SMARTS: Distribution Rights

ACTION STEPS: Entering a Film Festival

Studio (Theatrical) Distribution

Distribution Patterns

Exhibition Venues

The Right Date

Windows

BUSINESS SMARTS: Piracy

Chapter Essentials

　

Chapter 15: Careers in Filmmaking

Analyzing the Credit Roll

[video] HOW DO I…? Decide on a Career Path, with Lucy Fisher and Doug Wick

Navigating the Industry

Networking

Internships

Helping Yourself

ACTION STEPS: Creating a Demo Reel

BUSINESS SMARTS: Build Your Online Platform

Chapter Essentials

 

Glossary

Index

Headshot of Adam Leipzig

Adam Leipzig

Adam Leipzig is an entrepreneur, filmmaker, producer, publisher, and author. He is the COO of CreativeFuture, a non-profit organization advocating for the creative community. He is also the CEO of Entertainment Media Partners, which provides informed guidance for independent media companies, financiers, and producers, and is the publisher of Cultural Weekly (www.culturalweekly.com). Adam teaches at Chapman Universitys Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, in the Executive Education program of UC Berkeleys Haas School of Business, and in UCLAs Professional Producing Program. He has overseen more than 25 movies as producer, executive, or distributor, including March of the Penguins; Dead Poets Society; Titus; Honey, I Shrunk the Kids; Amreeka; and The Story of the Weeping Camel. Adam served as president of National Geographic Films and as senior vice president at Walt Disney Studios, and in each of those positions was responsible for the movie industrys most profitable film of the year. He is the author of Inside Track for Independent Filmmakers: Get Your Movie Made, Get Your Movie Seen, a how-to manual with tips for solving the problems most faced by emerging and independent filmmakers. Adam worked his way through college with a number of summer jobs, including a stint as a garbage collector for the City of Los Angeles. He says it prepared him well for his work in Hollywood. Adam loves to hear from his readers; contact him at Adam@AdamLeipzig.com

Headshot of Barry S. Weiss

Barry S. Weiss

After completing his MFA at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Barry worked on some of the most profitable, award-winning projects of the last 20 years. In the roles of animation executive, producer, and collaborator with Sony Pictures, Warner Brothers, Nickelodeon, and Turner Pictures, he has achieved an unparalleled record of success. Barry was instrumental in the creation of two animation studios, leading the teams that created the animated characters for the Stuart Little and Spider-Man franchises, plus characters for 20 additional films, such as Open Season and Academy Award nominee Surfs Up. He is credited on 62 films and shorts, two of which have won Academy Awards and eight additional nominations. Barry is also an Emmy Award winner. Barry began his Hollywood career as a tour guide at Universal Studios. He still has fond memories of his daily encounters with mechanical sharks and flash floods.

Headshot of Michael Goldman

Michael Goldman

Michael Goldman is a veteran entertainment-industry journalist and author, who has penned seven books, including his work coauthoring Filmmaking in Action. Among these are the New York Times bestseller John Wayne: The Genuine Article; Clint Eastwood: Master Filmmaker at Work, an authorized look at the legendary directors filmmaking techniques; and Reality Ends Here: 80 Years of USC Cinematic Arts, the definitive history of the worlds oldest and most famous film school. He is a frequent contributor to American Cinematographer magazine and writes for a host of industry publications, newsletters, and websites, including CineMontage, SMPTE Newswatch, and Post magazine.
 
Michael served for many years as senior editor of the famed industry trade journal Millimeter and, before that, as an editor at Daily Variety. In his work over the years, Michael has interviewed many of the worlds leading filmmakers across all disciplines. Learn more at his website, www.hollywood-scribe.com<http://www.hollywood-scribe.com>.

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Chapter 12, Telling the Story Through Editing with William Goldenberg

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