Book Review: Filmmaking for Teens | Print |
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Written by Reviewed by Amanda Lynn Porter   

Filmmaking for Teens is an exceptional filmmaking guide for anyone determined to create their own movie. Written by Troy Lanier and Clay Nichols, Filmmaking for Teens is simple, comical, easy to understand, and will help improve any amateur video.

Lanier and Nichols initially wrote the book as an informational textbook, after finding few that could hold the attention of their high school production students. They accomplished their goal: breaking down the process of production into a detailed, comprehensive 186-page guide.

The most ideal aspect of this book’s layout, in my opinion, is the short chapters that are packed full of information, assuring maximum learning capacity in the shortest timeframe: a teenagers dream. Second to layout is the consideration of the target audience. Lets face it: Most films created by teenagers are low budget and have few staff. Filmmaking for Teens addresses these criteria by defining each production role and offering ideas for even a solo production.

However, aside from organization and audience consideration, the content of this book is really phenomenal. Lanier and Nichols assume little to no knowledge of any step of production and walk through scriptwriting, budgeting, directing, producing, equipment, editing, and advertising. Aperture, shutter speed, camera specifications, and software are all hit upon, ensuring the student will gain basic understanding of everything they need to know.

As readers have pointed out, the reusability of this book should also be considered when purchasing. Not only can this book be passed around to beginner filmmakers, but can be referenced in the classroom, at the office, or at home time and time again.

Filmmaking for Teens is definitely a must-read!

Product Information:

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 186 pages
Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions; Second Edition edition (February 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1932907688
ISBN-13: 978-1932907681
Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces

About the Authors:
Troy Lanier produces documentary films. His documentary, Streets Without Cars, played on PBS stations across the U.S., and he has produced a series on the Pottery of Mexico. As a climber, Lanier also travels with and documents international climbing and caving expeditions. A graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, Lanier holds an MA from the University of Wisconsin in the History of Science. He ahs served as the director of the Devil’s Canyon Wilderness Program and on the board of Proyecto Espeleologico Purificacion, an international organization dedicated to the exploration of Mexico’s longest cave. He lives in Austin, Texas, with his wife and children.

Clay Nichols has written over a dozen plays for young and adult audiences that have been produced across the country. Titles include Appleseed John, The Speaker Speaks, and The Nose in Exile. His plays have received awards from the Center for American History at the University of Texas, the Austin Critics’ Table, Playwrights’ Center of San Francisco, and Stages Theatre of Houston. Nichols is a graduate of Dartmouth College and holds an MFA from the University of Texas where he was a James A. Michener Fellow at the Texas Center for Writers. During a twelve-year career in secondary schools, Nichols founded the Theatre Focus program at St. Stephen’s School. He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife and three children.

Together, Nichols and Lanier are part of the founding team of Dadlabs, a groundbreaking online video network. There they have produced over 500 video episodes that have been viewed millions of times worldwide.


Table of Contents:
-Foreword
-Introduction
-Roll Credits
-Chapter 1: The Keychain
-Chapter 2: Honey, I Shrunk the Concept
-Chapter 3: Screenplay—The Every Other Daily Grind
-Chapter 4: The Producers
-Chapter 5: Time and Money
-Chapter 6: Director’s Preparation
-Chapter 7: Ringmaster – The Eye on the Monitor
-Chapter 8: Equipment
-Chapter 9: Getting Pretty Pictures
-Chapter 10: Getting Good Sound
-Chapter 11: Editing
-Chapter 12: Getting Noticed
-Chapter 13: Your Digital Distribution Deal
-Conclusion – Final Credits
-Index
-About the Authors


Associate Editor, Amanda Lynn Porter has been involved in many aspects of video/film production. Starting a video production class at her middle school in eighth grade, Amanda has always enjoyed every aspect of videography. After producing many in-school productions, including a daily newscast, Amanda branched out and began directing and producing commercials and short films for law firms, intermediate school districts, and various associations throughout Michigan.

 

Most recently, Amanda worked for Michael Moore on his latest documentary: Capitalism: A Love Story. You can read her new column, Amanda's Book Nook each month in School Video News.