Directing

Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics is a comprehensive exploration into the art and craft of directing for film and television. It’s filled with practical advice, essential technical information, and inspiring case studies for every stage of production. This book covers the methods, technologies, thought processes, and judgments that a director must use throughout the fascinating process of making a film, and concentrates on developing the human aspects of cinema to connect with audiences.

The fully revised and updated 6th edition features new sections on using improvisation, the development of characters for long form television series, visual design, the role of the digital imaging technician, film promotion and distribution, alongside expanded information on contemporary color grading tools, stylistic approaches and genre, workflows, blocking scenes for the camera and more. The book emphasizes independent and short form cinema which allows cutting-edge creativity and professionalism on shoestring budgets. Recognizing that you learn best by doing, it includes dozens of practical hands-on projects and activities to help you master technical and conceptual skills.

Just as important as surmounting technological hurdles is the conceptual and authorial side of filmmaking. This book provides an unusually clear view of the artistic process, particularly in working with actors and principle crew members. It offers eminently practical tools and exercises to help you develop your artistic identity, find credible and compelling stories, choose and work with your cast and hone your narrative skills. Directing shows you how to surpass mere technical proficiency and become a storyteller with a distinctive voice and style.

The accompanying companion website includes film analysis exercises, shooting projects, checklists and assignment forms, analytical questionnaires, updated production forms and logs for all phases of a project with links to additional resources and set safety advice.

Table of Contents

CONTENTS

Introduction

PART 1: THE DIRECTOR AND ARTISTIC IDENTITY

1 THE WORLD OF THE FILM DIRECTOR

2 DEVELOPING AS A DIRECTOR

PART 2: THE STORY AND ITS DEVELOPMENT

3 ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS OF DRAMA

4 SHAPING THE STORY INTO DRAMA

5 PLOT, TIME, AND STRUCTURE

PART 3: THE DIRECTOR AND THE SCRIPT

6 SCREENPLAY GROUND RULES

7 RECOGNIZING THE SUPERIOR SCREENPLAY

8 SCRIPT ANALYSIS AND DEVELOPMENT

PART 4: AUTHORSHIP AND AESTHETICS

9 CINEMATIC POINT OF VIEW

10 FORM AND STYLE

11 TONE, STYLE AND GENRE

PART 5: A DIRECTOR’S SCREEN GRAMMAR

12 FILM LANGUAGE

13 THE FRAME AND THE SHOT

14 THE MOVING CAMERA

15 LANGUAGE OF THE EDIT

16 THE HUMAN VANTAGE OF CINEMATIC LANGUAGE

PART 6: PREPRODUCTION

17 EXPLORING THE SCRIPT

18 CASTING

19 ACTING FUNDAMENTALS 227

20 DIRECTING ACTORS

21 REHEARSALS

22 ACTING EXERCISE

23 PLANNING THE VISUAL DESIGN

24 DEVELOPING THE SHOOTING SCRIPT

25 LINE PRODUCING AND LOGISTICS

PART 7: PRODUCTION

26 DEVELOPING A PRODUCTION CREW

27 THE DIRECTOR AND PRODUCTION TECH

28 ON SET: PRODUCTION BEGINS

29 DIRECTING ON THE SET

30 MONITORING CONTINUITY AND PROGRESS

PART 8: POSTPRODUCTION

31 POSTPRODUCTION OVERVIEW

32 EDITING BEGINS: GETTING TO KNOW THE FOOTAGE

33 THE ROUGH CUT

34 GETTING TO FINE CUT AND PICTURE LOCK

35 WORKING WITH MUSIC

36 THE FINISHING TOUCHES

37 GETTING IT OUT THERE

Filmography

Photograph and Illustration Acknowledgements

Index