written by Bob McCabe.

Harry Potter: Page to Screen opens the doors to Hogwarts castle and the wizarding world of Harry Potter to reveal the complete behind-the-scenes secrets, techniques, and over-the-top artistry that brought J.K. Rowling’s acclaimed novels to cinematic life.

Developed in collaboration with the creative team behind the celebrated movie series, this deluxe, 500-plus page compendium features exclusive stories from the cast and crew, hundreds of never-before-seen photographs and concept illustrations sourced from the closed film sets, and rare memorabilia.

As the definitive look at the magic that made cinematic history, Harry Potter: Page to Screen is the ultimate collectible, perfect for Muggles everywhere.

Sign up now for your own FREE monthly subscription to “The Director’s Chair” filmmaking ezine and get the first 30 pages of my 220 page Film Directing Multi-Media Online course, “The Art and Craft of the Director Audio Seminar.”

This article was written by Jason Brubaker.

“When I was working to make my first feature, I read a bunch of filmmaking books. I wanted to find out how to finish my screenplay and how to raise money for my movie. The problem was, much of the information was bogus.

A lot of those “experts” had never even made a movie! One guy even said I should ask my dentist or doctor for money.  Frustrating.

Fortunately, I found few a great filmmaking books. Here are my top 3! I didn’t put these filmmaking books in order, but in full disclosure I did use affiliate links that will redirect you to Amazon. If you don’t like Amazon, get these books somewhere else, but do read them!”

Read the rest of this article from Filmmaking Stuff.

This article was written by Nick James.

“Which are the best five books about film ever written? This was the question ‘Sight & Sound’ asked leading critics and the results might surprise you. Revealing his ideal film bookshelf, Nick James introduces our special poll.

The possibility of an ideal film bookshelf is always intriguing: that along a single shelf you could fit the most inspirational books everyone interested in film needs to read – particularly anyone just starting their adult cinema adventures. Before we conducted our survey, I thought I knew which books were most likely to sit snugly on that shelf. That certainty was allied to a strong suspicion that the field of film literature already had its own Citizen Kane in David Thomson’s A Biographical Dictionary of Film.”

Read the rest of this article from Sight and Sound.

Notes on Directing (Frank Hauser & Russell Reich) – More than a how-to book, this is a tool for directors looking to translate the page to the stage – or to the screen – and is of immense value to actors, playwrights, students, and teachers. Essential for any student of film or theatre, here is what all directors need to know, and what every actor, scriptwriter, and audience member wants them to know. Includes four appendices, an original acting exercise, a recommended reading list, and an index.

Walk The Talk means know how to ‘Direct’ the money – if you control the money, you control your career.

Every director should really understand the budget and learn the basics of film budgeting and cost reporting. You need to know this because then you know where you can take out things from the budget you don’t want (or can live without) so you can add things you do want.

I’m going to recommend a great resource on film budgeting for you. It’s a website and a book called “Walk the Talk“ by John Gaskin. His book is written in an easy reading style at a level appropriate for film students and crew who want to upgrade. It is also useful for Directors and new Producers who want some help with the basics of budgeting.

Also, here is an article John wrote called Film Directors – Direct the Money

Charles Wilkinson is a working director who lives in Vancouver, Canada. He has written a book that is not about the great masters of cinema or where to place the camera. He has written a book that is more important than that. His book is about how to get hired to direct film and television projects again and again!

I strongly recommend you get this book. It will save you years of struggle and frustration because it accomplishes what so many other film books fail to do: help you understand the business and politics of the film and television industry.

Find our more about “The Working Director” Book.

———-
Want to Learn More Film and Television Directing Tips and Techniques? Check out Peter D. Marshall’s 2008 multi-media reference guide for filmmakers, “The Art and Craft of the Director 10-Day Audio Seminar“ – a 162 page eBook packed full of insider film directing tips and tools supported by over 500 film making reference links, 26 mp3 audio files, 28 video links and 23 pdf special reports all designed to help you become a successful, working film and television director.
———-

Notes on Directing (Frank Hauser & Russell Reich) – More than a how-to book, this is a tool for directors looking to translate the page to the stage – or to the screen – and is of immense value to actors, playwrights, students, and teachers. Essential for any student of film or theatre, here is what all directors need to know, and what every actor, scriptwriter, and audience member wants them to know. Includes four appendices, an original acting exercise, a recommended reading list, and an index.

Directing Actors (Judith Weston) – This is essential reading for anyone interested in directing or acting. Judith Weston’s brilliance is to recognize that directors, actors, writers, and technicians are involved in a process that is at essence a collaboration. In order for them to have the best shot at creating something true and meaningful, they must share a language and a method of exchange that fosters creative cooperation. Weston rightly sees the director as the central figure in inspiring the energy of a production’s harmony. She advises the prospective director on every aspect of a stage or film production, showing how the director can draw the best performances possible from actors.

Directing Feature Films (Mark Travis) – Learn how to read a script, find its core, determine your vision, communicate with writers, actors, designers, cinematographers, editors, composers, and all the members of your creative team in order to insure that your vision reaches the screen.

The Working Director (Charles Wilkinson) - A step-by-step guide to the rules of engagement–starting with what and what not to say on the first producer phone call, how to deal with writers, with stars, with crews. A fun, irreverent, informative, gloves-off guide to landing the work, doing the work, and getting more.