Book Description
An Essential Guide to Landing -- and Keeping -- Your first Hollywood Job
A position as an assistant to a producer, agent, director, studio executive, or star can be the path to a fabulous career -- or a one-way ticket to hell. How can the aspiring Hollywood assistant quickly learn the inside track to success while avoiding the land mines? It's All Your Fault is the answer. Written by two former Hollywood assistants who've been there and done that, It's All Your Fault is bursting with hard-earned advice, from figuring out who's who and who isn't to sex, drugs, and other work-related issues. Filled with outrageous anecdotes and countless celebrity stories, It's All Your Fault proves an indispensable addition to the nightstand of every wannabe Hollywood mover and shaker.
Customer Reviews:
Recommended STAT!.......2006-11-17
Wow this book is a must have and one of your top priority of books and resources to buy if you want to become a Hollywood Assistant. The authors doesn't sugarcoat anything. They strip down the job as a Hollywood Assistant to the raw naked view. It has a bit of humor in it but all of it is true.
As soon as I got this book I could not put it down and time went by so fast!
If you are serious about becoming a Celebrity Personal Assistant, whether for a star, producer, director, agent, or studio executive, you must buy this book to know what to expect!
They also include phrases to say, how to not lie but not tell the truth, what the phrases mean in Hollywood, and so much more!
Required reading for Hollywood-bes: keep it close!.......2004-08-22
This is a fast read, and it reads like a memoir-humor book-- don't be fooled. It's full of REAL information, and good advice.
I have only a limited experience in this world, a few month's as a producer's assistant, but everything they described is 100% accurate. As I investigate how I want to continue, I'm finding the descriptions of the different roles invaluable (particularly that of assistant to a network exec as a great job for those in the witness protection program; i.e. you'll never meet anyone... lol)
the way these two got into the industry is, as is the norm, highly idiosyncratic, full of luck, timing and chutzpah. It's no surprise that both have done well along the way.
This is also a useful book for creative artists-- screenwriters, actors, aspiritng directors-- because it gives an invaluable inside look at the day-to-day life of the offices and staff of the people they need to deal with.
Better than I hoped it would be!
A Career you want to leave as soon as possible.......2003-08-02
I enjoy reading about the industry. This book is a cross between a "how-to" book and a book filled with industry anecdotes. This book gives great advice on how to perform in your job working for an egomaniac (they almost all are) and why you want to get out of that job as soon as possible. But it also provides quite a few hilarious stories that will have the normal office worker scratching their heads at the audacity of some of these bosses. Working in investment banking I've seen my share of egomaniacs but Hollywood is the place to be if you want to reach for the stars or meet some real asses. This book gives a good overview on what you can expect.
Since I'm not interested in an assistant's job, I was looking more for stories of the industry. This book satisfied that desire but with some down time as it educated the potential assistant. Overall, I'm pleased with the read but if you want to know about the industry and the abuse of new hires, I recommend the recent book, " The Mailroom: Hollywood History from the Bottom Up."
Superb, insightful, bitterly funny........2003-07-25
This is the "Crafty Screenwriting" of assistanting. The writers have clearly been around the block and through the mill, and tell it like it is. They also had fun writing it, and the bitter joy of (I hope for their sakes) no longer being an assistant shines through. If you're thinking of going to Hollywood as anything at all, you need to read this book to understand what the lives of the 50% of people there who are assistants are like!
Humiliation is just the beginning!.......2002-12-01
This book really made me glad I never pursued a career in Hollywood. It is full of reality-based humor. Everybody is so phony! However, if you have the stomach for it (Hollywood) -- this is the book to prepare you for the insanity. READ IT BEFORE YOU HOP ON THE BUS.
Book Description
Looking for a career in the film business? Look no further.Making it in Hollywood is possible. But only if you have a workable strategy. When author Frederick Levy launched his own fledgling career, he didnt' know a soul in the business. But that didn't stop him and it doesn't have to stop you. Hollywood 101 is a complete game plan for getting your foot in the door of the film industry. With fascinating inside stories and advice from key players, it takes you step-by-step up the ladder of success. Whether you aspire to be a producer, director, writer, talent agent, and any other behind-the-camera professional, this is the one book you need to turn your "reel" dreams into reality!
Download Description
More than simply a technical how-to book, Hollywood 101 is full of inside stories and advice from industry leaders.
Customer Reviews:
Perfect Introductory Book to Hollywood.......2007-05-17
I purchased a number of "get into film/hollywood" books and this one was by far the most helpful. While it doesn't have much of the typical career advice (how to write your resume, cover letters etc.), which are better covered in more general job hunting books, it is the perfect book to read to get a sense for the jobs that do exist in Hollywood. If you're interested in the industry, but find it something of a "black box" or are unsure exactly what type of position to try and look for, this book is the ideal starting point. Levy walks through the entire industry, from agencies to studios, to actors, directors, costume designers etc. Given the wide canvas, none of the positions are covered in too much detail, but I think the book ideally serves as an excellent starting point from which to know where to pursue more information.
Finally, the tone of the book is excellent - one of excitement and encouragement. While it's a small point, dry and depressing hollywood career books abound - it's refreshing to find one that's has an enthusiasm and optimism to match your own.
Wanted: Hollywood film jobs.......2007-03-29
The book is great. If you want to get in the to industry (that's what people call the film industry in Southern California), buy the book. It gives a complete break down of all the people that are required to make any movie. So next time when you watch the ending credits, you'll know what a key grip, best boy, art director, first assistance director does and be able to tell your friends as they walk out of the theater asking, "What's a best boy?"
But it today!.......2006-07-23
It was informative and not at all boring. A must-read for those who are new to the Industy. Explains the steps of advancement for nearly every job in the entertainment industry. Excellent resource for goal-setting/ career management.
A Great Book to get started.......2004-07-25
I am an entertainment buff and I thought this book was great for people who want a survey of jobs they can pursue. It gave an in depth look at a lot of the positions in the film business. If you want a general look at the possible jobs, get this book. If you are more interested in television, this book is a great start, but it doesn't say anything about that since its primarly about film so look for another book for further reading. I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to break into the business, it was really helpful for me.
A Optimistic Joy.......2003-03-03
Excellent book about breaking into the "Industry". This book details almost all jobs in the industry and really tells you how to go about securing that job without knowing someone who can help you. You may find that you are better suited for another career within the industry, one you never would have dreamed of. Frederick Levy is a guy who knows his stuff and truly wrote this book to help you succeed with your career in film. He talks about writing a Television 101.......I am waiting!! Although Hollywood 101 was just as helpful! After reading your book, I am more than ever convinced that I shall succeed as well. Thanks Mr. Levy, I look forward to more books on the Industry from you!!
Product Description
So you want to be a film critic and review movies for a living? Veteran film critic Christopher Null teaches you, step by step, how to break into the business with the lessons he's learned from more than a decade in the industry. Five Stars! will teach you all you need to know!
- Understand movie history and the mechanics of filmmaking --
without the film snob jargon!
- Learn how to write a review,
step by step
- Get into every movie
for free and never pay to go to the movies again!
- Get
free DVDs -- before anyone else!
- Break into
professional writing in newspapers, magazines, and online
- Launch a movie review website, recruit staff, and
start your own business as a critic
- Learn how to
approach editors -- from the experts themselves
-
Build an audience for your work
- Interview celebrities and
hang out with the stars!
Five Stars! is
the only book on the market that shows you
exactly how to become a
professional movie reviewer, step by step! It's an absolute must-read for any aspiring film critic!
256 pages -- packed with essential information!
Customer Reviews:
Obviously a great book, but wrong topic.......2006-10-03
I love movies. I love to criticize movies. But I really just want to share my criticism with my friends, and I really don't care to be eloquent about it. Take the movie "Four Brothers" for instance. My review would run something like this: "WTF??? I gotta see that again!"
Now, if Christopher Null had written about how to become a food critic, I'd be all over that. I wonder if it would work to just replace words like "film" and "movie" with "food" and "eats", or "actor" and "actress" with "meat" and "potatoes". But then I would have to come up with all kinds of substitutes, and that would get complicated. Would I pick "flambe" or "brussel sprout" to replace "director", "chef" or "gourmet" for "producer", or "curry" or "whip cream" for "writer"? No I guess it wouldn't work.
Hopefully, Mr. Null has a food critic friend who will write a similarly great book entitled "Five Stars! How to Become a Food Critic, The Galaxy's Greatest Job." Let's face it, film critiquing may be great, but food critiquing, what could be better than eating for a living?
The definitive book on movies and being a film critic.......2005-10-04
Other reviewers have gone into great detail about what's in this book so I won't repeat their efforts. Simply put, this book is written by a critic, Christopher Null, which knows movies and can put that knowledge on paper in an informative and still entertaining way. Each point he makes in this book includes at least one movie as an example and it's obvious by the movie titles he lists that he has watched thousands of them. This is a must buy for anyone that wants to be a film critic (or already believe they are one) and a highly recommended purchase for those of you, like me, that simply love watching movies.
kudos.......2005-08-17
normally, i wouldn't want to be a film critic but christopher null makes you really think about it. a great critic...he's interesting and inventive--and has an appreciation for the out of the ordinary... just check out his wacky website. [...]
Five Stars makes it easy.......2005-08-11
If you're one of the millions who dream of turning your love of cinema into a lifelong vocation, you need to read Five Stars. This is the only book on the market today that tells you, step by step, exactly how to break into this business.
Without weighing you down with a bunch of worthless theory that means nothing in the real world, Five Stars quickly gets down to the nitty gritty. In this book, Christopher Null, one of the most widely published and respected movie critics on the internet, walks you through every phase of your personal development on the path to a successful career.
The tips in Five Stars clearly show you how to:
-Educate yourself about the larger world of cinema
-Become a smarter and more active movie goer
-Communicate your thoughts coherently
-Write lively, entertaining movie reviews
-Find outlets to publish your work
Even with the best guidance in the world, becoming a successful film critic isn't easy. But Five Stars will arm you with the knowledge you need to roll up your sleeves and put your talent to work. Whether you're a young upstart with a passion for movies or an established critic with years of experience, this book is a must-have for your personal library.
What other rating could you give it?.......2005-07-02
"Five Stars" deserves five stars.
I read an early edition from Sutro Press, and "Five Stars" is truly a marvelous guide to making your dreams a reality, without any film school snobbery to weigh it down. The book surveys all the stuff you need to know to write credibly about movies, coaches you through the writing process, and even provides excellent tips on how to get your words published.
The author is a web entrepreneur, a seasoned magazine editor, and even a novelist, so he really knows what he's writing about, and that really comes through in the book. Whether you want to pursue film review as a career or even as an occasional hobby, or you just want to go see a lot of new movies and DVDs for free, this book is a fabulous way to start.
Average customer rating:
- Clever title for a book revue (pun intended), convincing you to buy it...
- A guide like this has been long overdue.
- Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive
- A preview of your career...
- Things I Wish I Knew 10 Years Ago
|
Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive
David Levy
Manufacturer: Allworth Press
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1581154453
Release Date: 2006-05-01 |
Book Description
• Insiders' tips from more than 100 big-name animation pros
• Great ideas for animators who are starting out or looking for their next job
• Packed with information and insights
• Perfect for film students and art students
Animation is a multibillion-dollar industry. Here's an insider's guide to getting into that industry, staying there, and getting ahead. Author David B. Levy has interviewed the top pros in animation, including Steven Hillenburg, creator of SpongeBob SquarePants; Al Brodax, producer of Yellow Submarine; Teddy Newton, character designer on The Incredibles; Linda Simensky, senior director of PBS Kids; John R. Dilworth, creator of Courage the Cowardly Dog; and dozens of others to get their insights on creating a portfolio or reel, meeting animators, networking, and making the leap from working for others to pitching and selling. A resource section lists animation schools, film festivals, studios, Web sites, and publications to get budding animators off to an animated start.
Customer Reviews:
Clever title for a book revue (pun intended), convincing you to buy it..........2007-09-03
Just finished this book a few days ago, read at a leisurely yet studious pace. Wow! There are so many insightful observations presented in an anecdotal and conversational nature, as opposed to a thesis type structure. This will help me immensely as I segue career-wise into the animation field. Great illustrations throughout too. The author is that rare combination, a gentleman and a scholar. Your Career In Animation will cause you to have many imaginary lightbulbs (ideas) floating over your head in rapid succession. My only complaint is that this book does not come with a highlighter marker. All kidding aside...a great read. Highly reccomended!!!
A guide like this has been long overdue........2007-08-14
Don't let the simplicity of the title fool you. For once it is just what it says. Not only written by an animation insider but a very knowledgeable one. I am an Art School Student, and while animation isn't my major, it is my goal and this book helps in getting one's head screwed on the right way so that regardless of major, you can have some goals in art school and beyond.
I love that he pulls no punches as to how difficult careers in animation and commercial art can be, but there are also strategies to make it all happen.
I picked it up by accident, but had to get it after flipping through it.
Definitely get it. There is no fluff here.
Your Career in Animation: How to Survive and Thrive.......2007-04-04
interesting and informational, I love it
A preview of your career..........2007-03-02
This book seems to be a good preview of many events that will come to pass during your education and career as an animator. To go to school or not? Check. Finding a job? Check. Keeping your job? Check again. The book covers all these topics and more, providing an overview of the animation industry and how it works, chock full of advice, insight, and common sense. Being only a student, I haven't yet put this book fully to the test, but it's gotten me much more informed, and information is power. I would recommend this book to anyone hoping to be, or already in the animation industry.
Things I Wish I Knew 10 Years Ago.......2007-01-10
Yup, it's all here. Having worked in the Animation industry, I highly recommend this book to anyone considering a career in Animation, or those who want to get more out of their existing Animation career. David Levy's book gives you insight that normally takes years to learn.
Amazon.com
"Lights, cameras..." and if you get this book, very likely "Action!" This is a great resource book for anyone who wants to get into any aspect of the movie and TV business--especially in Los Angeles. Written by two prominent entertainment attorneys, it spells out the nature of jobs in the business, legal matters (such as protecting your creative work), and the Byzantine machinations behind movie and TV deals.
Book Description
From getting the necessary training and understanding the intricate responsibilities of everyone behind or in front of the camera to getting your first break and avoiding career-specific pitfalls, All You Need to Know About the Movie and TV Business leads you topic by topic through
* A breakdown of job descriptions, from casting directors and key grips to stunt coordinators and film editors
* What kinds of deals actors, directors, writers, and producers make when they start out and when they hit the top
* How to protect and sell your creative work
* How movie deals are put together at studios and by independents
* The nuts and bolts of a boilerplate contract
* The notorious and mysterious world of profit participations, with a detailed explanation of why there's never any profit "net profit" deals
The entertainment industry can be an exciting, challenging landscape to negotiate. Having some valuable insight into how to make the most of your career in the movie or TV business can put you on the surest path to success.
Customer Reviews:
Very Informative...sheds some light on how the system works.......2005-12-27
I would say that overall this book is an excellent reference for anyone thinking of getting into the Film and TV business. This book breaks down and provides samples of contracts, terms, negotiating points, how to break into the industry, and plenty of other information in regards to Hollywood. I'd say the "meat and potatoes" of the book lie in the last few chapters about negotiating and where the money goes, but it's great.
The only issues I have with this book is that 1) It's mostly directed towards actors. I am an up and coming producer/director, and even though much of the content was still relevant to my interests, the authors are primarily writing to inform actors. 2) The book is for the most part LA-centric. The authors make sure you know this from the book's foreward. I am a New Yorker!
I would definitely recommend this for anyone interested in an above the line position on a movie production.
Great, simple and informative book........2005-08-13
I usually don't write reviews but I was very happy with the information in this book and the flow of everything. Not a lot of non-useful information and fancy writing skills - just the facts in plain english and to the point. A great overview and understanding of the movie and television business for beginners.
Just what I needed.
Thanks,
Howard Gatch
He is Awesome! I met Scott Trost!.......2002-07-01
I wentto a model convention and he was ur monologue teacher. Well he gave me a callback andi talkedto h for about an hour. He is a very sar andawsome man and writer. I definately would recommend this book. Im actually an actor becaue of his help and others. Thanx Scott.
An Actor's Guide to surviving Los Angeles.......2000-11-28
This book is definetly a beginning actor's guide. It focused primarily on the acting business for someone who is new to Hollywood. It was helpful in understanding some other roles in the movie business which are not as pretty,but overall I found it informative but lacking what it really takes to land a first job in TV or film. If you know nothing about the business...this book is for you.
Truly Everything You Need To Know.......1999-11-04
This is a phenomenal guide to the different positions in the film industry. From the small to the big screen, to the credits that roll by unnoticed and unregarded, this book covers every position with a description of each. There is a chapter on contracts. Another on directing. Another on acting. Another on producing. Virtually a plethora of information, and a must-must-read for anyone going into, or interested in television or movies.
Book Description
An acclaimed writer takes readers inside the world of M. Night Shyamalan—the most successful filmmaker of his generation—as he creates a new movie masterpiece
In 1999, filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan exploded onto the cinema scene with his supernatural thriller The Sixth Sense, which garnered major acclaim and raked in massive box office numbers around the globe. Since then, his phenomenal commercial and critical success has continued as his films—including Unbreakable, Signs, and The Village—have grossed over $1.5 billion and reinvented the thriller genre. But throughout his rise to prominence, Shyamalan has remained separate from the Hollywood system, living and working solely in his hometown area of Philadelphia, and keeping his ideas, filmmaking techniques, and business practices tightly-kept secrets.
In The Man Who Heard Voices, journalist Michael Bamberger takes readers inside Shyamalan's world for the first time, getting total access to the man who has been called “the modern-day Hitchcock” as he prepares, creates, and test-screens his next film, Lady in the Water, which stars Paul Giamatti (star of Sideways) as a building superintendent and Bryce Howard (star of The Village) as a mysterious sea nymph. Bamberger's intimate perspective and insightful narrative prose will bring to life Shyamalan's creative process—from his multiple drafts and revisions of the screenplay to his on-location work with his cinematographer and crew and his relationships with the actors under his direction. The book also follows the high- stakes business decisions behind the scenes, including his agonizing decision to move from Disney to Warner Bros. for this film, his involvement in the studio's massive marketing campaign, and the evaluation of the crucial initial test-screening of the film.
Customer Reviews:
Cut & Dry.......2007-09-15
If you're an M. Night fan you will not be able to put this book down. It's amazing.
An unbiased look at the film making process.......2007-04-11
I almost didn't read this book after reading some of the reviews and comments made by others on this site. I'm glad I decided to give this book a chance. This is a must read for anyone interested in the process of film making. The fact that the author is a sports writer and not involved in the film industry gives the book more authenticity, not less. The journey from script to completed film is told through the eyes of someone seeing it for the first time and not prejudiced by other films.
I read the book first and then saw the movie (on DVD). If you haven't seen the movie, this is the order I would recommend. You'll especially like the DVD extras after reading about the various collaborators in the book. If the "Lady" script had been submitted by a no-name screenwriter, it would never have made it past the script readers. Yet not only did Night get to make a movie based on a weak story idea with a weak script, he got Warner Brothers to put in over a hundred million dollars to film and market it. No matter how talented the actors, the cinematographer, or the director, if it doesn't work on the page it isn't going to work on the screen. This book shows how bad movies get made.
The Man Who Ignored Voices.......2007-04-06
After delivering "Lady in the Water", Shyamalan somehow managed to offend a pubescent American culture that prefers to be the offender. And somehow he did it without any pretentious artistic attempts at being shocking through sex, violence and vulgarity. Kind of ironic that it would take a bedtime story to get under the skin of a society plagued with the Peter Pan syndrome. And then he tops it off by having the audacity to let a biographer tell us how he did it. I mean, the nerve of Shyamalan. Why can't he blow his own horn like everybody else?
But that's what happens when one is an artist truly committed to his art. And instead of taking the usual X-Rated route of cage rattling, Night pulled it off with a PG-13 Rating. Impressive.
But to read this book you realize that he paid the price of the much sought after and coveted title of being "controversial" -- even if that wasn't his goal. In fact, from this book we learn that his intentions were the exact opposite. He was hoping to inspire a hopelessly adolescent culture that is hell-bent on being cynical. Because, you know, cynicism is a worthy accomplishment.
Michael Bamberger, the biogrpaher, seems to be somewhere in the middle of this willingness to be inspired and cynical resistance (He admits to having spotted feelings about "Lady"). This makes him more than just a biographer but also a character in his own story. While Bamberger describes Shyamalans vulnerabilities and strengths in the turbulent ride of artistic rejection and redemption, I couldn't help but wonder about Berbengers feelings while acting as a passenger. And he is a passenger. When someone else is doing the driving and your duty is to watch, you have a heightened sense of doom when the driver is irrational and, at times, reckless. Bamberger all too often becomes the rubber-neck passenger watching the chaos that sometimes zooms past Nights peripheral. For instance, the erratic antics of the Director of Photography often occur when Night has left the room.
There is a palpable doom that soaks these pages. Bamberger knew while shadowing Night that the "Lady" was going to show the darker side of herself. The side of her that was a "B*itch." It comes through vividly when he describes Giamatti's late, albiet enthusiastic, acceptance of the role which threw Shyamalan into a mild panic. And that's just the beginning.
One of the recurring themes that Bamberger picked up from Night and migrated into this book is loneliness. Nights loneliness in the development of his movie is so well documented by Bamberger that it becomes experiential for the reader. You'll find from chapter to chapter how loose the strings really were as Night struggled to keep his often reticent players tied together. It's painful to read, because the very people who doubted Night -- and his script -- happen to be on his side. But this is all proof that Night really is the innovator that cynics and critics wish he wasn't. Innovation is inherently a lonely mans game. And naysayers who lack the courage for innovation are always looking forward to seeing the courageous take a loss in their own game.
I think it's safe to say that these same critics are among the voices chattering away in Nights head. That is why, from this book, we learn that Nights personal journey was not just to make a movie, but to silence those voices by being insubordinate. It takes a genius to be a rebel during the day and tell bedtime stories at night.
The Man Who Heard Razzberries.......2007-03-15
I agree that Bamberger could be the greatest satirist living, if that was his intention. The endless verbal oral sex the author performs on his subject...The abject awe...It is truly hilarious.
It's also true that you'll only enjoy laughing at this road apple of a book IF you didn't pay anything for it, as I didn't.
Let us all hope that in the future, M. Night Shamalamadingdong does NOT listen to the same voices that told him to put out "Lady in the Water," AND this book.
I was looking for just a little more..........2007-01-22
I enjoyed this book, but I admit that as I was nearing the middle of it, I started to lose some interest. It began to tell me that the entertainment business is all the hype, egos, and vanity I thought it was to begin with. And it got a bit boring in parts. My interest came back again at about three quarters of the way through. This may or may not be because that is about the time I watched Lady in the Water on DVD. I so enjoyed the movie... it has a great combination of little laughters, mystery, emotion, and storytelling. There were parts and characters that could have been developed better... I say this after reading the book since I did feel I had a better understanding of the idea behind some characters than the movie portrayed. (This after watching with my husband, who did not read the book... though he liked the movie.)
Interestingly, I think the book's author and Shyamalan are having the same struggles. Both of them have a little trouble getting out of their own way. There are moments when Shyamalan seems to lose it and blame others for his dissatisfactions when making the movie. Bamberger throws in one too many "dude"s and "dig it" type dialogues as well... as if he is trying too hard to portray Shyamalan as an ordinary guy. Paul Giamatti comes across as the wonderful and ordinary guy. Probably because he doesn't think about it, he just is. Shyamalan's reactions to Disney and others seem confusing to me. The folks at Disney did tell him that he could make the movie, yet his attitude was as if they were supposed to treat him like a movie god and not hesitate. In the end it sounds like the movie, the story, could have truly been great if he had gotten out of his own way. He did what he told Cindy Cheung to stop doing... trying too hard and not just letting it happen. It seems like there could have been tremendous gains if the story were kicked around for another year. While I really did enjoy the movie, it could have made the difference from a really good story to an amazing story. I think Shyamalan may have learned from the experience, and as an excellent director, I'm anticipating some amazing movies yet to come in my lifetime.
In recommending this book, it depends on what you want out of it. Definitely a great read if you are interested in moviemaking. Perhaps a learning experience if you are interested in a struggle to do what your own inner voices may be telling you.
On recommending the movie... definitely. Especially if you love magically stories. The look and feel of the movie is well done. Lots of interesting characters. (I loved the Anna Ran and Mr. Drury characters the best.)
Book Description
Visual effects are among the most exciting-and one of the most in-demand-aspects of contemporary film-making. But not all visual effects are created using prohibitively expensive equipment. For the first time, this compelling art form is explained and made accessible to aspiring film-makers and artists in a unique book/DVD combination. Exploring Visual Effects describes and illustrates each phase of visual effects production, from design and research through model building, photography, digital editing, and composition. The authors, drawing on extensive industry and classroom teaching experience, present a range of options for creating Hollywood-style effects using traditional and contemporary technologies-with explanations on how to choose the right technique based on content, budget, and time. The creative and budget-conscious ideas in this book can be explored using commonly available supplies and software-an important consideration when it comes to building the confidence to create convincing visual effects. The accompanying DVD provides a striking visual counterpoint to the text and features a gallery of downloadable stills and video clips for practicing techniques used in the video demonstrations.
Customer Reviews:
Strictly For Beginners.......2006-11-27
I might recommend this book to somebody studying to be in the visual effects business. It has some of the basic information for beginners but even there it falls short on what you would need to know.
I did enjoy the interviews with Bill Taylor, who I would consider a master of the art form, but this book only scratches the surface.
The price is also very high for what you get, which in my opinion is not very much.
Good book for someone starting out..........2006-06-29
This book has a lot of good information. It focuses more on practical effects and model building rather than digital effects, which is cool. However, if you are already in the business of creating visual effects, you probably will not get a lot out of it. With that said, the book is good and I DO recommend it for people getting started.
Informative, Entertaining, and Very Freakin' Cool.......2006-05-20
I'm not a professional filmmaker (I'm barley a hobbyist), but I totally dug this book! I've always been fascinated with visual effects, and I've read plenty of books on the subject...but none were as clear, concise, and easy to understand as this one. As I was reading, I had to look up a couple of technical terms, but like I said, I don't do this for a living. I have to believe that as much as I enjoyed the read, someone who will actually implement the author's techniques, will freakin' love this thing.
Excellent for beginner and veteran .......2006-05-16
I have woked in visual efeects for over 10 years and I like to think I know a great deal about my field but I still found that this book provded me with additional information on subjects I was already aquainted with. If you are new to visual effetcs the book provides a good overview of the many crafts associated with VFX and it is also a great refresher for those with experience. Mr Woodys book covers a wide spectrum of concpets and disciplines used in visual effects work in an enjoyable, easy to read style. If you're looking to get into VFX this is a great place to start.
A must have for learning visual effects.......2006-05-03
This was a fantastic book that covers a variety of areas of visual effects. I found the examples and DVD to be a huge help. I found it to be well written and the practical industry information is great. A must have for anyone learning the industry.
Book Description
oday, animation is more prevalent than ever in television, films, videogames, and the Internet. Karen Raugust has created a much needed, comprehensive look at the entire business. She shows in detail how a successful animation studio or entrepreneur operates, describes the process of developing an animation property from the concept stage through the finished product, and outlines business methods used to create and sell animated media. Topics covered include: -Distribution, sales, and marketing methods -Financing, budgeting, costs, and revenue opportunities -The creation of ancillary entertainment and merchandise -Animation in international markets. The Animation Business Handbook is the essential reference for anyone in or considering entering the animation industry.
Book Description
They say that the one rule in Hollywood is there are no rules. There are, however, a series of "conventions" that exist, that if properly adhered to, will significantly smooth that otherwise rocky road to a career in film and television. While there's no substitute for talent and just plain old perseverance, there's also no excuse for handling yourself naively in a pitch meeting or acting like an ass when meeting a Really Big Star. The truth is, Hollywood is held together by a very delicate yet complex fabric, and the surest way to get in the inside is to know what's expected of you, and to behave accordingly. Compiled from the personal experiences of dozens of accredited writers, directors, producers, agents, and studio executives, the Rules would probably take you ten years to master on your own. Here, with this insider's guide, you'll be able to avoid the traps and pitfalls that have stymied so many other creative people and realize your full potential as a writer, director or producer.
Customer Reviews:
My New Bible.......2007-07-29
When I bought this book, I was prepared to read the words of someone who had watched Swimming With Sharks and The Player one too many times. However, this is not a book that teaches you how to be a player. This is a book that teaches you how to get noticed. You can tell that "Anonymous" knows his or her stuff about how to set yourself apart in Hollywood-- by playing by the right rules. There are insightful tips in this book that it would take three years worth of meetings to realize yourself. It is like the Hollywood version of Strunk & White's Elements of Style. Don't leave the east coast without it.
How Hollywood really works..........2007-03-29
FADE IN...You network, network and network some more. Just keep smiling as you get S%$@!. The book really is excellent and a must read before taking the leap to LA. As part of the rules, I really shouldn't be letting you know about it. The book will not tell you how to get that luck break, but it will save you some pain along the way. I would also suggest Hollywood 101: The Film Industry for a excellent break down of the various jobs that are need to make a movie. FADE OUT
"Impulse Films & Prestige Entertainment".......2007-02-09
The Hollywood Rules - this book has a special aura about it. It encourages you to understand your talent and how it will most likely be perceived and handled by those in power who can enhance/create your career in movies. It brings Hollywood to your living room for some brief moments, making you believe that you can find the way to whatever you're striving for. And not only that - it shows you the way, providing that you are prepared to work hard, play by the rules, break the rules, and dream on until you make it [...]
Good, quick read for any "artist".......2006-11-19
I am a writer and found this book to have helpful information in it for me. It is geared towards the film industry but is a good read with some good information if you are a writer, actor or in the entertainment industry or want to be.
Applicable for all types of employment........2006-07-23
This book not only specifically applies to how one should comport themselves in "the Biz", but has lessons that apply to all industries across the board. A must-read for all who choose to succeed. Buy it! You won't waste your money.
Book Description
You Lose Some, You Lose Some authors Lou Harry and Eric Furman continue their preoccupation with failure with In the Can — a look at fifty major movie stars and their biggest critical and box office duds. Some stars’ lowest moments may be obvious, while others take a bit more digging. Sections include:
• Bury It (or, Go Directly to Video/DVD): Including Jerry Lewis’s legendary (and never released) The Day the Clown Cried and Jim Varney and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in Slam Dunk Ernest.
• Out of the Vaults: Forgotten movies that get dragged into the spotlight when a star hits it big, like Kevin Costner’s Sizzle Beach U.S.A. and Sylvester Stallone’s Party at Kitty and Stud’s.
• Oscar Jinx: You’d think an Oscar would lead one to better projects. Sometimes you’d be wrong. Think Jane Darwell after The Grapes of Wrath or Marisa Tomei after My Cousin Vinny.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointning, underresearched effort.......2006-06-03
This book sounded good: An alphabetical listing of nearly all recent movie stars with a discussion of each star's worst film. To qualify, a film had to be both a commercial and critical disaster. Only problem is the authors appear to have written the book over a long weekend. The entries are very short -- usually a page, sometimes less -- and contain almost no background on the films, apart from their box office take and, occasionally, quotes from reviewers. We all know Halle Berry's a fine actress and Catwoman was a bomb. Why not tell us how she came to make the film, what problems the film encountered in production that made it so bad, and so forth? The authors did essentially no research that might have enabled them to discuss these issues. Instead they provide a brief summary of the actor's career before and after the bomb under consideration and make a few smart remarks about the movie itself. They would have to be far wittier than they are to pull this off. In short, if you are movie fan, you probably already know everything you will read in this book. For a much better book on the same subject, check out James Robert Parish's Fiasco.
A great idea...and a fun, informative read.......2005-10-06
The authors seem to have had a very rough job while researching this book--it consists of nothing but big, big Hollywood bombs. I never thought it would be this fun reading about Battlefield Earth, Surviving Christmas, Mary Reilly and other tanks by Hollywood's biggest stars. Lots of interesting information. It's a page-turner.
Books:
- Journals
- Live Sound Reinforcement (Mix Pro Audio Series)
- Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs
- Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer (P.S.)
- Maran Illustrated - Guitar (Maran Illustrated)
- Marilyn Monroe: The Complete Last Sitting
- Mastering VBA (Mastering)
- Men, Women, and Chain Saws: Gender in the Modern Horror Film
- Modern Classics (Book 1)
- Mozart and the Whale: An Asperger's Love Story
Books Index
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