Pete Shaner is a motion-picture write-director who has written and directed two independent features: Lover's Knot (starring Billy Campbell, Jennifer Grey, and Tim Curry) and Nicolas, a supernatural thriller (the first independent feature ever shot in 24P HD). In addition, he co-wrote and directed the second unit for the action movies Shootfighter and Shootfighter II. He also has written for the TV series JAG and worked as the on-set technical advisor for A Few Good Men. He teaches DV production and techniques at UCLA Extension.
Gerald Everett Jones has written more than 20 books on computer and business topics. His screenplay Ballpoint was accepted into the Screenwriter’s Lab of the Independent Feature Project/West. He is a past director of the Independent Writers of Southern California and is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Writers Guild of America. Jones has professional expertise in computer graphics, industrial video, and Web site development and served as writer and executive producer of the InnRoom Shopping Network.
Grade 7 Up–The highlight of this guide is the DVD included in the package with which one can watch some films made by teens in a workshop in New York. One of the first pieces of advice is that the majority of filmmaking time will be spent editing. Knowing this information makes the film samples even more fascinating and the contents are given perspective, for only 2 of the 10 chapters are specifically about shooting the film. The other sections describe equipment, storyboarding, lighting, planning, editing, adding music, and releasing the film. Chapters are organized into a series of how-to instructions embedded with definitions, tips, and notes. Images and components seem contradictorily static and colorless for a catalyst for creativity; however, the instructions and suggestions are meticulously documented and easy to follow. This book is for novices and for filmmakers who wish to learn a bit more, and could serve as a superb guide for filmmaking at home or as a text for a class. Teens are the target audience, though this title will be useful to all who wish to produce their own digital movies.–Jodi Kearns, University of Akron, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.