Moviemakers' Film Club

Actors are some of the most glamorous people on a movie set. They often make what they do look so easy, but there's much more to acting than meets the eye. Young thespians will read all about the many aspects of acting in this motivating book, including how to cry on cue, memorize lines, and learn accents. Future action stars will even learn about doing their own stunts. Photographs of actors on the job and sidebars and tips make this volume a beneficial read for film buffs and aspiring artists alike.

A lot of people are involved in making a movie; just count them in the ending credits. There's one person who's in charge of making sure that those people work together, the director. A director oversees all the creative pieces of a movie production. They may change scripts, costumes, and cast members, and have a say about all camera shots and final edits. It's stressful but rewarding; just ask an Oscar-winning director. Young directors will learn the myriad of responsibilities they can look forward to in this insightful volume, while gathering great advice on how to work with people to make a cinematic masterpiece.

Everyone loves a good twist in a movie and that moment of surprise when the audience screams. The screenwriter is the one to thank for memorable movie plots and characterizations. Creative writers will love figuring out how to take an original concept and create a script that Hollywood moguls will be dying to turn into a blockbuster. They'll learn how to seamlessly incorporate setting, dialogue, and stage directions into a gripping storyline. All the tips and tricks to successful screenwriting are in this ultimate guide.

Would a movie look good if the camera never moved? Camera operators often switch between long shots, medium shots, and close-ups. Using different shots can have a big effect on how the viewer experiences the story. The director of photography, or D.P., is responsible for making the decisions that lead to every perfectly captured scene. Future cinematographers will never watch a movie the same way after they learn the different ways that D.P.s light shots and use camera angles to achieve certain effects. They'll also learn how new technologies such as drones are changing the world of cinema.

One of the most crucial people behind the scenes in a movie is the film editor. Without this meticulous artist, a film would seem awkward, hard to follow, and unprofessional. The film editor knows when to cut the action of a scene and how to transition into the next scene flawlessly. They know when to use a close-up and how to add important visual effects. There's a lot to the art of film editing, but this filmmaker's guide is an accessible view into the fascinating career that movie enthusiasts may never have considered.