Description
Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics is a comprehensive exploration into the art and craft of directing for film and television. It’s filled with practical advice, essential technical information, and inspiring case studies for every stage of production. This book covers the methods, technologies, thought processes, and judgments that a director must use throughout the fascinating process of making a film, and concentrates on developing the human aspects of cinema to connect with audiences.
The fully revised and updated 6th edition features new sections on using improvisation, the development of characters for long form television series, visual design, the role of the digital imaging technician, film promotion and distribution, alongside expanded information on contemporary color grading tools, stylistic approaches and genre, workflows, blocking scenes for the camera and more. The book emphasizes independent and short form cinema which allows cutting-edge creativity and professionalism on shoestring budgets. Recognizing that you learn best by doing, it includes dozens of practical hands-on projects and activities to help you master technical and conceptual skills.
Just as important as surmounting technological hurdles is the conceptual and authorial side of filmmaking. This book provides an unusually clear view of the artistic process, particularly in working with actors and principle crew members. It offers eminently practical tools and exercises to help you develop your artistic identity, find credible and compelling stories, choose and work with your cast and hone your narrative skills. Directing shows you how to surpass mere technical proficiency and become a storyteller with a distinctive voice and style.
The accompanying companion website includes film analysis exercises, shooting projects, checklists and assignment forms, analytical questionnaires, updated production forms and logs for all phases of a project with links to additional resources and set safety advice.
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
Introduction
PART 1: THE DIRECTOR AND ARTISTIC IDENTITY
1 THE WORLD OF THE FILM DIRECTOR
2 DEVELOPING AS A DIRECTOR
PART 2: THE STORY AND ITS DEVELOPMENT
3 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF DRAMA
4 SHAPING THE STORY INTO DRAMA
5 PLOT, TIME, AND STRUCTURE
PART 3: THE DIRECTOR AND THE SCRIPT
6 SCREENPLAY GROUND RULES
7 RECOGNIZING THE SUPERIOR SCREENPLAY
8 SCRIPT ANALYSIS AND DEVELOPMENT
PART 4: AUTHORSHIP AND AESTHETICS
9 CINEMATIC POINT OF VIEW
10 FORM AND STYLE
11 TONE, STYLE AND GENRE
PART 5: A DIRECTOR’S SCREEN GRAMMAR
12 FILM LANGUAGE
13 THE FRAME AND THE SHOT
14 THE MOVING CAMERA
15 LANGUAGE OF THE EDIT
16 THE HUMAN VANTAGE OF CINEMATIC LANGUAGE
PART 6: PREPRODUCTION
17 EXPLORING THE SCRIPT
18 CASTING
19 ACTING FUNDAMENTALS 227
20 DIRECTING ACTORS
21 REHEARSALS
22 ACTING EXERCISE
23 PLANNING THE VISUAL DESIGN
24 DEVELOPING THE SHOOTING SCRIPT
25 LINE PRODUCING AND LOGISTICS
PART 7: PRODUCTION
26 DEVELOPING A PRODUCTION CREW
27 THE DIRECTOR AND PRODUCTION TECH
28 ON SET: PRODUCTION BEGINS
29 DIRECTING ON THE SET
30 MONITORING CONTINUITY AND PROGRESS
PART 8: POSTPRODUCTION
31 POSTPRODUCTION OVERVIEW
32 EDITING BEGINS: GETTING TO KNOW THE FOOTAGE
33 THE ROUGH CUT
34 GETTING TO FINE CUT AND PICTURE LOCK
35 WORKING WITH MUSIC
36 THE FINISHING TOUCHES
37 GETTING IT OUT THERE
Filmography
Photograph and Illustration Acknowledgements
Index
