On Directing Film
Product ID: 76094518
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A masterclass on the art of directing from the Pulitzer Prize-winning (and Oscar and Tony-nominated) writer of Glengarry Glen Ross , Speed the Plow , The Verdict , and Wag the Dog Calling on his unique perspective as playwright, screenwriter, and director of his own critically acclaimed movies like House of Games, State and Main, and Things Change , David Mamet illuminates how a film comes to be. He looks at every aspect of directing—from script to cutting room—to show the many tasks directors undertake in reaching their prime objective: presenting a story that will be understood by the audience and has the power to be both surprising and inevitable at the same time. Based on a series of classes Mamet taught at Columbia University's film school, On Directing Film will be indispensible not only to students but to anyone interested in an overview of the craft of filmmaking. "Passion, clarity, commitment, intelligence—just what one would expect from Mamet." —Sidney Lumet, Academy Award-nominated director of 12 Angry Men , Dog Day Afternoon , Network , and The Verdict Review: ABC for Youtubers - This should be the first book for youtubers and 2nd should be how to shoot video that doesn't suck Review: I saw the Masterclass and then I had to read his book. - I randomly saw this book on desertcart recommends and I ordered it, as only a few days ago I saw Mamet's MasterClass and heavily influenced me. I was really apprehensive when I picked this book because it was a really tiny book and pretty costly compared to its size. However, being a fan of Mamet and someone who works mostly in film line I had to buy it and read it. I loved how Mamet has written this book. Yes, there is not much content on this book but every word in the book is golden and will help you in your film writing and direction career more than any other book with 100 pages. Most the content is written in the form of dialogues between him and his students. It was like you were actually sitting in a workshop with Mamet himself guiding you and telling you about his experiences and how to make a good movie. Though the name of the book is "On Directing Film", I would say this book is more about screenwriting than direction. This is because Mamet by profession is a writer first, being a creator of several plays, screenplays and novels and a director later with superb films such as "House of Games". I loved this book and I am going to read it again. The last page of this book has made a huge impact on me. There is a question that one of his students ask him that what if he works really hard on his movie but the movie still doesn't work. Basically, it is the question that everyone wants to ask - whether one's hard work will pay. Truth is that no one can tell anyone in 100% confirmation that whether his hard work will pay off. You just have to do hard work and then wish everything ends in success. Mamet answers the student in the form of a story and it was the perfect ending to a perfect book. Of course, you have to read the book to know what that story was. If you are a filmmaking student, and a wannabe writer-director, this book is a must read and is another bible which you should read religiously, again and again, to get inside the mind of the master screenwriter legend called Mamet.
| Best Sellers Rank | #12,593 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #31 in Cinema & Broadcast (Books) #164 in Encyclopaedias & Reference Works (Books) #259 in Words, Language & Grammar |
| Customer Reviews | 4.4 out of 5 stars 947 Reviews |
K**R
ABC for Youtubers
This should be the first book for youtubers and 2nd should be how to shoot video that doesn't suck
S**O
I saw the Masterclass and then I had to read his book.
I randomly saw this book on Amazon recommends and I ordered it, as only a few days ago I saw Mamet's MasterClass and heavily influenced me. I was really apprehensive when I picked this book because it was a really tiny book and pretty costly compared to its size. However, being a fan of Mamet and someone who works mostly in film line I had to buy it and read it. I loved how Mamet has written this book. Yes, there is not much content on this book but every word in the book is golden and will help you in your film writing and direction career more than any other book with 100 pages. Most the content is written in the form of dialogues between him and his students. It was like you were actually sitting in a workshop with Mamet himself guiding you and telling you about his experiences and how to make a good movie. Though the name of the book is "On Directing Film", I would say this book is more about screenwriting than direction. This is because Mamet by profession is a writer first, being a creator of several plays, screenplays and novels and a director later with superb films such as "House of Games". I loved this book and I am going to read it again. The last page of this book has made a huge impact on me. There is a question that one of his students ask him that what if he works really hard on his movie but the movie still doesn't work. Basically, it is the question that everyone wants to ask - whether one's hard work will pay. Truth is that no one can tell anyone in 100% confirmation that whether his hard work will pay off. You just have to do hard work and then wish everything ends in success. Mamet answers the student in the form of a story and it was the perfect ending to a perfect book. Of course, you have to read the book to know what that story was. If you are a filmmaking student, and a wannabe writer-director, this book is a must read and is another bible which you should read religiously, again and again, to get inside the mind of the master screenwriter legend called Mamet.
M**N
Good read
The book was in good condition and it a decent and quick read. Pretty thin, like 120 pages at most if not more and gives some interesting views on minimalism in film
A**R
Simply the Best.
This book helped me how to practically think and execute the written script. Thanks David Mamet for sharing the real knowledge useful on field.
A**R
Excellent for Filmmakers
Must have for aspiring filmmakers. Soulful book. Not a technical manual but an insight into Mamets technique of constructing a story.
S**K
Films Book
Jaisa socha tha usse kai jyada better nikala.
T**H
If you want to pursue film making must read
Great way to explain a fact behind, screenwriting, directing and shot sequencing of a film.
S**R
Nice for writing screenplays with finished movie in mind
I think that it is more geared towards screenwriting and breaking the situation in the shots. It is amazing with the best advice from it being that take out all the interesting things from the story and if still works then it is good!
C**L
Great Book for Writers Too
This book is aimed at film directors, but the principles are equally true for writers of creative fiction. An easy read it really gets your mind working. Thoroughly enjoyable.
K**F
Mehr gelernt als in zig anderen Büchern
Beim Lesen dieses kurzen Buches habe ich mehr über das Filmemachen gelernt als in zig Büchern davor. Hier hat es das erste Mal wirklich "Klick" gemacht und ich habe verstanden was "Visual Storytelling" wirklich ausmacht. In diesem Buch lernt man nichts über Kameraführung, Komposition oder ähnliches, sondern rein wie man eine Geschichte in Bildern erzählt. Das Ergebnis ist eine sehr nüchtern Erzählung, weshalb einige Rezensenten dem Autor vorwerfen, den künstlerischen Aspekt zu vernachlässigen. Damit haben sie Recht, das kommt dem Buch aber nur zu Gute, denn damit kann es sich auf das Kernthema konzentrieren. Für Bildkomposition oder Kameraführung muss man zu anderen Büchern greifen.
S**D
Lecture rapide mais efficace
Les conseils sont simples mais les examples utilisés permettent de bien saisir le message. Il se lit rapidement et m'a vraiment permis de changer ma façon de visualiser des court métrages
C**N
Essencial para o estudo sobre direção e dramaturgia
Apesar de datado em 1991, o conteúdo do livro continua extremamente atual. De forma simples e clara, David Mamet compartilha algumas de suas experiências para nos ajudar no entendimento do processo de construção narrativa audiovisual, desmistificando as lendas Hollywoodianas e estimulando o pensamento crítico sobre a ação de narrar.
M**ん
Reccommend to current and future directors
Arrived on time in a very good condition! Loved the contents the author describes in the book. A great book for young, aspiring entertainers.
Trustpilot
1 week ago
2 weeks ago