The Filmmaker's Handbook - 4th Edition by Steven Ascher (Paperback)

About the Book

The bible for filmmakers and videographers alike, this handbook highlights the techniques and technologies needed for the digital age. 143 photos.

Book Synopsis

The authoritative guide to producing, directing, shooting, editing, and distributing your video or film. Whether you aspire to be a great filmmaker yourself or are looking for movie gifts, this comprehensive guide to filmmaking is the first step in turning a hobby into a career.

Widely acknowledged as the "bible" of video and film production, and used in courses around the world, The Filmmaker's Handbook is now updated with the latest advances in HD and digital formats. For students and teachers, professionals and novices, this indispensable handbook covers all aspects of movie making.

- Techniques for making dramatic features, documentaries, corporate, broadcast, and experimental videos and films
- Shooting with DSLRs, video, film, and digital cinema cameras
- In-depth coverage of lenses, lighting, sound recording, editing, and mixing
- Understanding HDR, RAW, Log, 4K, UHD, and other formats
- The business aspects of funding and producing your project
- Getting your movie shown in theaters, on television, streaming services, and online

Review Quotes

Praise for The Filmmaker's Handbook

"Seminal."--The New York Times

"Gold-standard technical reference book for filmmakers."--Boston Globe

"The bible--updated."--The Independent

"This is an essential book."--Self-Reliant Filmmaking

"A good mentor provides a sounding-board and guidance as you struggle to solve a problem and enables you to become a better filmmaker. This book is a mentor you can count on for thoughtful advice from someone who's "been there and done that." Creating a book that is comprehensive, readable and useful - that takes a gift. Don't let the size intimidate you - The Filmmaker's Handbook is worth adding to your bookshelf. Very nice work!"--Larry Jordan, Award-winning Producer, director and trainer

"You need this book. Billed as the authoritative guide to filmmaking from fundraising to distribution, the book achieves this in clear, accessible language using current up-to-date information. It's easy to see why this has become a standard text in many film schools. A gilt-edged investment for aspiring and beginning filmmakers and it would not be out of place in the libraries of experienced professionals either."--James MacGregor, Netribution.co.uk

"This edition of the book is awesome. I don't know how you managed it. Such a mass of information so expertly organized and so clearly presented! Amazing."--Alfred Guzzetti, Professor, Harvard University

"Anyone who is serious about learning the language and techniques of this art, whether amateur or professional, must have this comprehensive reference."--Bookviews

"Speaking as a member of the 'figure it out yourself' camp, I consider most 'technical' reference books to be nothing more than leisure reading. This one is worth its salt. Every page is relevant and fascinating. When I find a chapter that refers to something we've done, I realize that every mistake we made was covered, if only we'd thought to read up beforehand."--Genericfilms.com

"I was thrilled to find your book, which is a gem. No matter what corner of the subject I poked into, looking for cogent explanations, the Handbook passed with flying colors. So please accept my admiration, appreciation and thanks."--Pat Jackson, Associate Professor, San Francisco State University; Emmy-winning Supervising Sound Editor

"The updated 2020 edition of The Filmmaker's Handbook uncovers the secrets to success in modern movie-making with insights into HD and digital formats. Whether you are a novice or a professional, this comprehensive guide guarantees takeaways for everyone."--The Straits Times

About the Author

Steven Ascher is an Oscar-nominated filmmaker whose films include Troublesome Creek and So Much So Fast. He has been a visiting professor at Harvard University and taught film at MIT. He is currently directing Our Towns for HBO.

Edward Pincus's films include Diaries (1971-76) and One Cut, One Life. He founded the Film Section at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and taught film at Harvard. He died in 2013.