| Book Review: Film School | | Print | |
| Written by Amanda Lynn Porter |
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This month SVN is presenting a great book that can be used as a supplement in the classroom, in your film club, or for individual instruction. Film School, by Richard Pepperman, is a comprehensive instructional manual for learning about filmmaking through DVDs. Seems simple, right? However, Pepperman points out that many amateurs miss content or useful tidbits while watching movies, making his guide a complimentary assistant. In Film School, Pepperman walks through a collection of 50 movies, including Catch 22, Dr. Strangelove, and The Godfather, and covers everything in filmmaking from transitions to structure to dialogue. Broken up into three sections (Story, Place, and Character) and many subsections, Pepperman begins each with a brief definition of the focused element. “Motion: If engagement with objects (physical life) establishes our species, and therefore a plausible character, then moving pictures must subsequently assert the physical action of character: motion.” Then, Pepperman hits upon several films that strongly incorporate motion, offering the chapter and DVD clock-time for the particular scene. By dissecting each scene and offering insightful commentary, any level filmmaker can be inspired to learn by example. Written as a “heads-up to college-bound film students,” Pepperman grasps that not everyone is an expert right away. But through practice and with a little help, anyone can learn how to take his or her film to the next level! Table of Contents: Film selections and themes I. Story 2. Place 3. Characters Objects A conclusion Bibliography Filmography Index About the Author Richard D. Pepperman has worked in film for more than forty years. His credits include work as an editor, post-production supervisor, and consultant on features, documentaries, industrials, and commercials. Richard’s film collaborations have been official selections to many international festivals, including Aspen, Berlin, Cannes, the Hamptons, Karlovy Vary (Czech Republic), London, Montreal, Munich, Rotterdam, Sitges (Barcelona), Tel Aviv, and Toronto. His collaborations have been honored with the Outstanding Documentary Award by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, an Andy Award, and a Clio Award. Other honors have included serving as Screenwriting Judge for the Nicholl Fellowships, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences and a Distinguished Artist-Teacher Award from the School of Visual Arts, New York City. Richard has designed and taught editing workshops, seminars, and lectures at Film/Video Arts, Pratt Institute, and The New School University. He currently teaches the “Art of Editing” at the School of Visual Arts in New York City where he is completing his thirty-fifth year. Richard is the author of The Eye is Quicker. Film Editing: Making a Good Film Better and Setting Up Your Scenes: The Inner Workings of Great Films. He lives with his wife Betsy, big dog Ollie, and small parrot Holly in Monmouth County, New Jersey and Mount Holly, Vermont. Book: Film School: How To Watch DVDs And Learn Everything About Filmmaking ISBN-13: 978-1932907414 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. |