Filmcraft: Production Design


Book Description

Production Design, the fifth title in the FilmCraft series, addresses one of the most important roles in cinema. Production designers do nothing short of creating whole new worlds, turning the bare bones of the script into a physical 3D environment that can be filmed. This book introduces that art in the words of the people best-equip to explain it, as well as looking at the legacies of the great innovators of the past. This volume also looks at the work of key influential figures, like Sir Ken Adam (winner of two Academy Awards and two BAFTAs) and Oscar winner Rick Carter (Jurassic Park, Avatar). These in-depth interviews with some of today's most distinguished practitioners, examine the training, personal qualities, pitfalls, technical expertise, management, luck and qualities which this demanding job requires.




FilmCraft: Cinematography


Book Description

As chief collaborators with the directors on a film, cinematographers are artistic masters in their own right. In Cinematography sixteen of the world's greatest "painters of light" share their insights, anecdotes, and technical achievements through a series of exclusive interviews. Fascinating for both film fans and practitioners, this book is the perfect companion for anyone who wants to stand on the other side of the camera, with some of the greatest film artists of our time.




FilmCraft: Editing


Book Description

The value of the editor's craft to a finished film cannot be underestimated, and it's no surprise that directors rely heavily on the same editor over and over again. Seventeen exclusive interviews with some of the world's top film editors, including Walter Murch, Virginia Katz, Joel Cox, Tim Squyres and Richard Marks, explore the art of film editing; its complex processes, the relationship with other film practitioners, and the impact of modern editing techniques. The Filmcraft series is a ground-breaking study of the art of filmmaking-the most collaborative and multidisciplinary of all the arts. Each volume covers a different aspect of moviemaking, offering in-depth interviews with a host of the most distinguished practitioners in the field. Forthcoming titles include Cinematography, Directing, Costume Design, Production Design, Producing, Screenwriting, and Acting.




Science of Creature Design


Book Description

What is creature design? We all have a notion--mostly consisting of evocative images of otherworldly beings galloping, swimming, flying, and often attacking the hero of an epic film or story. But what makes a creature believable? In the follow-up to her bestseller, Animals Real and Imagined: The Fantasy of What Is and What Might Be, world-renowned artist Terryl Whitlatch reveals the secret behind believable creature design: anatomy. How anatomy applies practically to the natural history and story is the prime cornerstone on which successful creature design hangs, whether the creature is real or imaginary. Studying, understanding, drawing, and applying accurate anatomy to an imaginary creature will make viewers suspend their disbelief to welcome a new vision into their worlds. We invite you to immerse yourself in the intricate workings of numerous animal anatomies--and the beauty they possess--in the Science of Creature Design: Understanding Animal Anatomy. Whitlatch's delightful and charismatic illustrations will inform and thrill readers with every turn of the page. She shares valuable techniques reaped from years working for Lucasfilm and Walt Disney Feature Animation, and on such films as Jumanji, Brother Bear, and The Polar Express. In addition, Whitlatch exemplifies an endless love for real animals that continues to inspire her fantastic imaginary creatures, which have captivated audiences around the world.




The Art Direction Handbook for Film


Book Description

Whether you'd like to be an art director or already are one, this book contains valuable solutions that will help you get ahead. This comprehensive, thorough professional manual details the set-up of the art department and the day-to-day job duties: scouting for locations, research, executing the design concept, constructing scenery, and surviving production. You will not only learn how to do the job, but how to succeed and secure future jobs. Rounding out the text is an extensive collection of useful forms and checklists, along with interviews with prominent art directors, relevant real-life anecdotes, and blueprints, sketches, photographs, and stills from Hollywood sets.




FilmCraft: Directing


Book Description

Ultimately responsible for the creative content on screen, directors are the captains of the ship on every film. All actors and heads of department report to them. Some directors are also writers, employing unique styles of dialogue and characterizations. Others, like Pedro Almodóvar, create inimitable visual and tonal styles that set their films apart from the crowd. Unlike the other volumes in the FilmCraft series, Directing covers all the disciplines of film art that pass through the director's hands, from development and writing, to working with actors, designers and cinematographers, to post-production and distribution.




Masters of FX


Book Description

It would be rare these days to find a film that did not in some way depend on the magic of visual effects, from the raging computer-generated dinosaurs in Steven Spielberg's Jurassic Park, to the fantastical worlds of Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland, and the photoreal tiger and ocean in Ang Lee's Life of Pi. Through interviews with 16 of the leading effects pioneers from around the world (see list below), author Ian Failes explores the making of some of the most memorable film sequences ever produced, showcasing the shift from practical to digital magic with original behind-the-scenes imagery, shot breakdowns, and detailed explanations of some of the secrets behind the making of cinema's most extraordinary creations. Visual effects artists and films discussed include: Dennis Muren (Star Wars: Episodes IV–VI; Terminator 2: Judgment Day; Jurassic Park; A.I. Artificial Intelligence; War of the Worlds) Bill Westenhofer (Babe: Pig in the City; Cats & Dogs; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; The Golden Compass; Life of Pi) Joe Letteri (The Lord of the Rings trilogy; King Kong; Avatar; Planet of the Apes; The Hobbit trilogy) Rob Legato (Apollo 13; Titanic; The Aviator; Hugo) Paul Franklin (Pitch Black; Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy; Inception; Interstellar) Richard Edlund (Star Wars: Episodes IV–VI; Raiders of the Lost Ark; Ghostbusters; Multiplicity); Edson Williams (X-Men: The Last Stand; The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; The Social Network; Captain America films) Karen Goulekas (Godzilla; The Day After Tomorrow; 10,000 BC; Green Lantern); Chris Corbould (Golden Eye; Die Another Day; Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy; Inception); Ian Hunter (The X-Files; The Dark Knight; The Dark Knight Rises; Inception; Interstellar) John Rosengrant (Terminator films; Jurassic Park; Iron Man films; Real Steel)




The Filmmaker's Guide to Production Design


Book Description

Learn to turn a simple screenplay into a visual masterpiece! Top production designers share their real-life experiences to explain the aesthetic, narrative, and technical aspects of the craft. Step by step, aspiring filmmakers will discover sound instruction on the tools of the trade, and established filmmakers will enjoy a new outlook on production design. They will learn, for example, the craft behind movie magic–such as how to create a design metaphor, choose a color scheme, use space, and work within all genres of film, from well-funded studio projects to "guerilla filmmaking." This indispensable resource also contains a history of movie making and guidelines for digital production design. For the experienced filmmaker seeking new design ideas to the struggling newcomer stretching low-budget dollars, this book makes the processes and concepts of production design accessible. Allworth Press, an imprint of Skyhorse Publishing, publishes a broad range of books on the visual and performing arts, with emphasis on the business of art. Our titles cover subjects such as graphic design, theater, branding, fine art, photography, interior design, writing, acting, film, how to start careers, business and legal forms, business practices, and more. While we don't aspire to publish a New York Times bestseller or a national bestseller, we are deeply committed to quality books that help creative professionals succeed and thrive. We often publish in areas overlooked by other publishers and welcome the author whose expertise can help our audience of readers.




The Art and Making of the Dark Knight Trilogy


Book Description

Behind the scenes—and the mask—of the great Batman film trilogy, including stunning illustrations. In 2005, director Christopher Nolan reimagined and forever redefined the Batman legend when he began his epic trilogy of films—Batman Begins, The Dark Knight, and The Dark Knight Rises—starring Christian Bale as the Caped Crusader in a fresh, dynamic reboot of the franchise. All three films would go on to blockbuster success and critical acclaim—including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for Heath Ledger’s unforgettable performance as Batman’s eternal nemesis, the Joker. The Art and Making of the Dark Knight Trilogy tells the complete story of these three monumental films. Based on in-depth interviews with Nolan and all of the films’ key cast and crew—including cowriters David S. Goyer and Jonathan Nolan, cinematographer Wally Pfister, and more—the book reveals the creative process behind the epic Dark Knight Trilogy, supported by lavish art and on and off-set photos. This is a fascinating glimpse into the minds that gave new life to one of the most beloved and renowned superheroes in history.




Movie Storyboards


Book Description

This comprehensive and enlightening collection—the first of its kind—features storyboard art from the last 100 years, covering more than 50 classic, cult, and popular films. Much of the artwork included here has never been published, including early drawings from such great artists as William Cameron Menzies (Gone With the Wind), Mentor Huebner (North by Northwest, Ben-Hur), Salvador Dali (Spellbound), and Saul Bass (Psycho, Spartacus), plus work from contemporary artists such as Jane Clark (the Harry Potter series). Augmented throughout with insights from the designers, directors, and artists who share some of their secrets and tips from behind the scenes, Movie Storyboards is an essential collection for any film student or true fan.