How Movies Work

I am a screenwriter, and refer to three books when working. This is one of them. I don't think there is anything about film technology not covered here.

The first section covers aesthetics, film appreciation, genres, types and structures of films in 120 pages.

The second is From Shot to Sequence. After a look at the technology (cameras, film, lenses, lights sets, ...), Kawin spends a chapter on each of The Frame, Colour, Soundtrack, The Shot, The Scene, and The Sequence. Stunning stuff, 160 pages packed with information.

Part three looks at the industry, and makes a strong plea that a commercial film is the result of team effort and not just a director. Then come chapters on each phase of film creation – Development, Pre-production, Production, Post-production, and Distribution. Total when I last looked, 230 pages.

I even praise the Appendices! An extensive, high-quality Bibliography, a list of recommended films related to each chapter (not as helpful as it sounds, since it lists – I haven't *counted* them – probably 500 films!), a super Glossary, and Index.

The best for last. This book is absolutely PACKED with photographs, 96 of them in colour, from real films, real sets, etc. How many long-winded definitions of a "Medium-Close Shot" haven't I read! All I needed was an example, and Kawin gives it.

If you are really interested in films, I think you should have this book. If you are a movie professional, you must have it. (Oh, the other two I use all the time are "Story" by Robert McKee, and "The Complete Guide to Standard Script Formats, Part I: Screenplays" by Cole & Haag – but these are specifically about my trade.)

Informative Film Book (1/1 people found this helpful)

How Movies Work is an excellent book aimed at both students of film, but also to the public with an interest in the subject.
The writing is quite light and engaging and not overtly technical. It covers a wide range of topics from film categories, style, film production and the technical side of making films as well as a detailed look at almost every job involved in film production from the writer through to distribution. It also has case studies giving examples from specific films with a colour photo section. It briefly looks at types of criticism and the moral questions raised by films, although these are minor points. The only problem is the text is quite old and much of the production technology I suspect has changed considerably since the early 1990's. Possibly in need of updating? Otherwise very interesting and informative throughout.

How Movies Work

Kawin

Reader Reviews:

Essential - just buy it! (2/2 people found this helpful)

Informative Film Book (1/1 people found this helpful)

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