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Filmmaking for Teens: Pulling Off Your Shorts
This funny and irreverent how to takes young would be filmmakers fromt he moment of inspiration to a finished short film amd beyond.
- GenresNonfictionArtWriting
179 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
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139 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 21, 2012
I am using this book to teach beginning filmmaking to junior and senior high school students. It is well written and organized with plenty of suggestions for making the class fun and effective. I especially appreciate the authors' emphasis on the hard work required to "pull off your shorts", or to make a decent short film. Anyone who reads this book and applies it to their video projects will stand far above the amateurs posting junk to YouTube that no one really wants to watch. Most chapters have exercises and examples from real films. One thing that would help me as the teacher is hints on how to structure grades for the class, perhaps an appendix to guide teachers.
March 5, 2019
الكتاب موجه للمبتدئين وربما لمن هم أقل من مستوى الهواة قد يناسب طلاب المراحل الاعدادية ، او ماشابه
وجدت الكتاب طفوليا ،اعتقد هناك مصادر افضل بكثير ، لمن يهتم بكتابة السيناريو و الإخراج .
وجدت الكتاب طفوليا ،اعتقد هناك مصادر افضل بكثير ، لمن يهتم بكتابة السيناريو و الإخراج .
July 30, 2022
Very readable, not very condescending treatment of the subject for teens; I can imagine it being useful for its intended audience. Certainly gives a sense of the scale of teamwork, coordination, and effort needed to create a film narrative.
July 10, 2013
1. Lanier, Troy, and Clay Nichols. Filmmaking for teens: pulling off your shorts. Studio City, CA: Michael Wiese Productions, 2005. Print.
2. 1417767421 $9.95
3.Review: http://www.bookverdict.com/details.xq...
4. VASOL C/T 9-12.16
5. This book is written by two high-school film studies teachers and is absolutely the only book a kid would need to make a short film. It covers everything from planning to publishing. There are guides for writing and editing a script, casting and motivating the cast, editing, timing and best of all - it is all done with tools that students should have access to.
The writing is engaging and humorous with plenty of resources for the amateur film maker. My favorite part of this book was that it is structured as a professional might film a movie. They even include budgeting and using food (craft services?) to motivate the cast to come to readings and rehearsals.
I would place this book in the hands of a student who is interested in filmmaking - perhaps on the eve of a long weekend and paired with a film camera. I would also put it in the hands of a teacher who is contemplating a unit involving film and / or film techniques into his / her curriculum.
This book can be selected for the library on the basis of value to the collection. As we have no other filmmaking books and book trailers, shorts, and advertisements are becoming increasing popular instructional strategies, this book will absolutely be used. It is also appropriate to a teenage audience and relevant to the SOLs.
6. This book can be paired with Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl on the basis of developing background knowledge. Because the pair centers around an amateur filmmaker and how he used film to make a difference in his world, this book pairs nicely for a student who also wants to be creative on film but lacks the know-how.
It can also be paired on the basis of supporting the interest of the students. Having read Me, Earl and the Dying Girl a student might be interested in making their own films in their friend group. Reading this book next would further that interest.
2. 1417767421 $9.95
3.Review: http://www.bookverdict.com/details.xq...
4. VASOL C/T 9-12.16
5. This book is written by two high-school film studies teachers and is absolutely the only book a kid would need to make a short film. It covers everything from planning to publishing. There are guides for writing and editing a script, casting and motivating the cast, editing, timing and best of all - it is all done with tools that students should have access to.
The writing is engaging and humorous with plenty of resources for the amateur film maker. My favorite part of this book was that it is structured as a professional might film a movie. They even include budgeting and using food (craft services?) to motivate the cast to come to readings and rehearsals.
I would place this book in the hands of a student who is interested in filmmaking - perhaps on the eve of a long weekend and paired with a film camera. I would also put it in the hands of a teacher who is contemplating a unit involving film and / or film techniques into his / her curriculum.
This book can be selected for the library on the basis of value to the collection. As we have no other filmmaking books and book trailers, shorts, and advertisements are becoming increasing popular instructional strategies, this book will absolutely be used. It is also appropriate to a teenage audience and relevant to the SOLs.
6. This book can be paired with Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl on the basis of developing background knowledge. Because the pair centers around an amateur filmmaker and how he used film to make a difference in his world, this book pairs nicely for a student who also wants to be creative on film but lacks the know-how.
It can also be paired on the basis of supporting the interest of the students. Having read Me, Earl and the Dying Girl a student might be interested in making their own films in their friend group. Reading this book next would further that interest.
July 6, 2010
This book is THE primer for video production that was absent when I was at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater -- and a must for any teen or even an adult seeking to dip into film production and have a solid understanding of exactly what is needed to pull off a quality short, from pre to post production.
Lanier and Nichols have years of experience with both film and talking to teens in an engaging, funny, irreverent way, and they keep all the material exciting, like you are going on an adventure with them in organizing the best film ever made (yours). For people with notoriously short attention spans, there's a "Bill Nye the Science Guy" feel to it to keep you on the ball and enjoying it.
Key technical terms are defined, workflow is mapped out, realistic timetables are set and by the time you are a few chapters in there's a feeling of "OK. I can do this!" Some advice given is extremely concise and no-nonsense. Gear information is up to date, accurate, and cost-saving for teens; from cameras, to microphones, to software for post production. However, it's the unorthodox wit and humor that makes this book really stand out. From choosing friends that have the appropriate personality types for the different pieces of cast and crew, to using kid-tactics to gain sponsorships and loaned gear from local adults, the path to the finish line really becomes a sneaky joy ride.
Having muddled through many film making books in which authors either acted like self-absorbed motivational speakers, bogged you down with technical jargon, or had no clear process from start to finish, it was VERY refreshing to see a book that finally "got it."
With the age of You Tube upon us, standing out from the crowd is becoming more and more important, and with Lanier and Nichols help, teens -- and aspiring filmmakers of any age -- will have the foundation they need to have a solid footing each step of the way to making a quality viewable film.
Highly recommended!
Lanier and Nichols have years of experience with both film and talking to teens in an engaging, funny, irreverent way, and they keep all the material exciting, like you are going on an adventure with them in organizing the best film ever made (yours). For people with notoriously short attention spans, there's a "Bill Nye the Science Guy" feel to it to keep you on the ball and enjoying it.
Key technical terms are defined, workflow is mapped out, realistic timetables are set and by the time you are a few chapters in there's a feeling of "OK. I can do this!" Some advice given is extremely concise and no-nonsense. Gear information is up to date, accurate, and cost-saving for teens; from cameras, to microphones, to software for post production. However, it's the unorthodox wit and humor that makes this book really stand out. From choosing friends that have the appropriate personality types for the different pieces of cast and crew, to using kid-tactics to gain sponsorships and loaned gear from local adults, the path to the finish line really becomes a sneaky joy ride.
Having muddled through many film making books in which authors either acted like self-absorbed motivational speakers, bogged you down with technical jargon, or had no clear process from start to finish, it was VERY refreshing to see a book that finally "got it."
With the age of You Tube upon us, standing out from the crowd is becoming more and more important, and with Lanier and Nichols help, teens -- and aspiring filmmakers of any age -- will have the foundation they need to have a solid footing each step of the way to making a quality viewable film.
Highly recommended!
December 19, 2014
Filmmaking for Teens: Pulling off Your Shorts by: Troy Lanier & Clay Nichols provides insight on what takes place on most major motion picture sets. You read about everyone’s tasks and responsibilities on set and what equipment to have on the set. The very first page of the guide is fundamental to the way the book develops into different topics and they way you grasp the idea of amateur filmmaking.
"In our opinion there are six keys to getting your film finished:
1) Make a five-minute film.
2) Have a completed script before shooting.
3) Be a slash (writer/director/producer/editor)
4) Geek out.
5) Use the three-day shooting schedule.
6) Edit on a deadline."
The title alone hints at the terminology of the book. It was written to be straightforward enough for a teenager to understand. The guide explains everything from generating an idea, writing a script, recruiting actors, borrowing or renting equipment, editing, and entering film festivals. While getting people to help you, the book suggests having pizza at the first script reading and doing the same for filming. You learn about scouting different locations, budgeting, creating publicity or generating some talk about the film, and editing based on the deadline of a film festival. Not only is this an exceptional book for teenagers, but it's a fantastic book for any first time filmmaker.
I would unquestionably recommend this book to anyone who is interested in filmmaking because the book is very concrete and isn’t comprised with the authors opinions. It consists of information that is decidedly useful, such as using a 3 chip camera (if you can afford one), using XLR cables, and certain angles of lighting.
Overall, a great book for anyone interested in filmmaking and a great book for teenagers and adults alike.
"In our opinion there are six keys to getting your film finished:
1) Make a five-minute film.
2) Have a completed script before shooting.
3) Be a slash (writer/director/producer/editor)
4) Geek out.
5) Use the three-day shooting schedule.
6) Edit on a deadline."
The title alone hints at the terminology of the book. It was written to be straightforward enough for a teenager to understand. The guide explains everything from generating an idea, writing a script, recruiting actors, borrowing or renting equipment, editing, and entering film festivals. While getting people to help you, the book suggests having pizza at the first script reading and doing the same for filming. You learn about scouting different locations, budgeting, creating publicity or generating some talk about the film, and editing based on the deadline of a film festival. Not only is this an exceptional book for teenagers, but it's a fantastic book for any first time filmmaker.
I would unquestionably recommend this book to anyone who is interested in filmmaking because the book is very concrete and isn’t comprised with the authors opinions. It consists of information that is decidedly useful, such as using a 3 chip camera (if you can afford one), using XLR cables, and certain angles of lighting.
Overall, a great book for anyone interested in filmmaking and a great book for teenagers and adults alike.
February 5, 2014
I bought this book first because I am a college writing professor who has his students make short films inspired by writing they have done during the semester. I thought compared to other filmmaking books, this one would focus on giving practical tips without having to spend a lot of money. It was great for that! Many of my students will make their films with iPhones and iMovie. The book does recommend spending a few thousand dollars on a camera. So it's a good book for low budget, and the writers do make a few recommendations in case there is some money to be spent.
I read this book again because I'm planning on shooting a short film based on a novel I wrote. I typed up five pages of notes from my reading. Much of this is in the form of checklists and stuff I want to be sure to remember. I divided my notes up into sections such as "script / table read," "pre-shoot," "on location," "sound," "cinematography," "post production" and so on. So the book gave me a lot to consider in many phases of the filmmaking process.
The authors Clay and Troy address teens in their writing. This makes for a very conversational tone which works well. There's a few "ask your teacher/parent" kind of lines. This added to the book and didn't bother me at all as someone thirty years past his teens. I also appreciate the writers' cheesy sense of humor. It makes the book read much more easily than a dry filmmaking manual devoid of personality.
Well done guys!
I read this book again because I'm planning on shooting a short film based on a novel I wrote. I typed up five pages of notes from my reading. Much of this is in the form of checklists and stuff I want to be sure to remember. I divided my notes up into sections such as "script / table read," "pre-shoot," "on location," "sound," "cinematography," "post production" and so on. So the book gave me a lot to consider in many phases of the filmmaking process.
The authors Clay and Troy address teens in their writing. This makes for a very conversational tone which works well. There's a few "ask your teacher/parent" kind of lines. This added to the book and didn't bother me at all as someone thirty years past his teens. I also appreciate the writers' cheesy sense of humor. It makes the book read much more easily than a dry filmmaking manual devoid of personality.
Well done guys!
August 25, 2010
This is an excellent how-to book for anyone interested in making a movie. It's geared towards teenagers and focuses on how to make an excellent short film (~5 minutes) that will stand apart from typical home movies. It has lots of practical advice from the beginning concepts, through screenplays, filming, editing, and even promoting your film. This would be a perfect text book for a high school film production class.
April 6, 2013
A great quick-and-dirty survey of film techniques. It's also a really good no-nonsense guide to planning (very important!) and executing your short film. What a script looks like, adaptation of ideas into script format, making proper storyboards, basic lighting and sound -- it's all in this little book. You burn through the whole thing, and then you reread it several more times, each slower than the last. Then you know which elements to learn more about.
January 28, 2014
I am a teenager and I LOVE to film my own visual creations. This book puts it in perspective giving you budgets and equipment tips it is really good for your book shelf. This book is not a book that would be an action fantasy its a informational text. It can be a page turner if it is what you enjoy if it is not what you enjoy than don't pick up this book. But I would defiantly suggest it for young filmmakers that need to just get on the right footing and get your movies done.
January 23, 2018
Useful information with many examples. However, a lot of information was out of date (which may be my fault for waiting a year or two before reading it). I feel like it was more focused on people who already have a bit of experience in film. I feel like that at times the book would feel a little forceful about buying certain equipment and being able to have a ton of people help you on the project.
March 5, 2011
Great source for everything you need to know about writing, pre-production, filming, and post for you first shorts. Easy and fun to read, with lots of very helpful examples and visuals. Highly recommend.
Read
August 10, 2015I picked this up at my library.
There's some good stuff here. This book was published ten years ago, so some of the equipment advice is outdated, but still good. I doubt I will be following all their advice, but it started me pondering certain details.
There's some good stuff here. This book was published ten years ago, so some of the equipment advice is outdated, but still good. I doubt I will be following all their advice, but it started me pondering certain details.
March 20, 2008
Very good, helpful, a good read. No pun intended.
September 6, 2012
great intro to filmmaking especially for low and zero budget works. has some good pieces of advice regarding making your first film and the problems you may face. still an amateur level.
September 27, 2012
Despite the author's condescending tone, this book features some really useful information and suggestions. It would make a good introductory text for a high school filmmaker's class or camp.
Read
September 26, 2016Pretty outdated but solid info.
February 27, 2011
Steven Spielberg started his directing career when he was twelve by shooting a 9 minute Western on 8 mm film. He made films of crashing his train set, and sold tickets for 25 cents; his sister sold popcorn. I remember going to see DAY FOR NIGHT when I was 20, knowing this, and thinking, "If only I'd seen this when I was young, it would have got me started in the film business!"
Monkeying around with 8 mm was a pain in the ass. The film is 8mm wide, i.e. each frame is much smaller than your fingernail; imagine trying to splice a single frame into your edited work print in order to lengthen a shot. And then you have to synchronize that with your sound. But going up to 16mm meant you started burning money, fast, on each take.
Over the past decade or two it has got about a hundred times easier for any kid to make his or her own movie and show it to people. Consumer video cameras are quite good, and even near-pro-quality "prosumer" cameras are a couple of thousand bucks new. Digital editing is a breeze using Final Cut. And you can upload the whole schmeer to YouTube for free.
So why not start young? If there's one thing teenagers have a lot of, it's time.
Troy Lanier and Clay Nichols' FILMMAKING FOR TEENS: PULLING OFF YOUR SHORTS is a one-stop shop for how to make a short film with the resources your average teenager has: friends, a camera, no money and a long weekend. It covers everything from how to write a short script and how to edit it, to when to use handheld, to how to get people to see your minor opus. It has lots of ideas for how to mooch resources (who's not going to help a kid?) and what to watch out for (run your take back to make sure you got it) to what won't work (redubbing your audio because you didn't get it in the take).
I know there are kids out there making films, because I've heard from them from time to time. Buy this for your favorite budding filmmaker. Or, heck, see if this book can get your kid out of World of Warcraft.
Monkeying around with 8 mm was a pain in the ass. The film is 8mm wide, i.e. each frame is much smaller than your fingernail; imagine trying to splice a single frame into your edited work print in order to lengthen a shot. And then you have to synchronize that with your sound. But going up to 16mm meant you started burning money, fast, on each take.
Over the past decade or two it has got about a hundred times easier for any kid to make his or her own movie and show it to people. Consumer video cameras are quite good, and even near-pro-quality "prosumer" cameras are a couple of thousand bucks new. Digital editing is a breeze using Final Cut. And you can upload the whole schmeer to YouTube for free.
So why not start young? If there's one thing teenagers have a lot of, it's time.
Troy Lanier and Clay Nichols' FILMMAKING FOR TEENS: PULLING OFF YOUR SHORTS is a one-stop shop for how to make a short film with the resources your average teenager has: friends, a camera, no money and a long weekend. It covers everything from how to write a short script and how to edit it, to when to use handheld, to how to get people to see your minor opus. It has lots of ideas for how to mooch resources (who's not going to help a kid?) and what to watch out for (run your take back to make sure you got it) to what won't work (redubbing your audio because you didn't get it in the take).
I know there are kids out there making films, because I've heard from them from time to time. Buy this for your favorite budding filmmaker. Or, heck, see if this book can get your kid out of World of Warcraft.
January 22, 2013
Big fan of Lanier. ;)
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews