Useful filmmaking stuff

Useful filmmaking stuff

This is a occasionally updated list of books, courses, websites and magazines that are useful for any filmmakers.

If you have more to add, please leave a comment.


BOOKS
Screenwriting
Story by Robert McKee
Doesn't just cover screenwriting, but how to construct stories in general. You may not agree with everything McKee says, but this book makes you think about how stories work.

Screenplay by Syd Field
Outlining basic screenwriting structure and techniques.

The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell
An academic work on comparative mythology. Fascinating, but requires study.

The Writer's Journey by Christopher Volger
A simplified version of Campbells monomyth, adapted for Hollywood screenwriters

Filmmaking
In the Blink of an Eye (2nd edition) by Walter Murch
Two excellent essays: the first on Murch's theory of editing, the second on the advantages and disadvantages of digital editing over traditional cut-and-paste.

Film Directing - Shot by Shot by Steven D. Katz
A first-rate book on how to visualise and compose shots. Good for new and experienced directors.


HEALTH
The College Practice
Osteopathic treatments in North London

Hands-On
Shiatsu massage in North London

Both are useful, because spending hours hunched over a laptop cripples your back, if you're not careful.


MAGAZINES
Moviescope
A subscription gets you a discount to membership of Shooting People and the New Producer's Alliance

Creative Screenwriting
Excellent US magazine aimed at screenwriters


ORGANISATIONS
Shooting People
Community of (mostly) UK-based independent filmmakers.

New Producers Alliance
Provides training and support for producers who are starting out.

Writers Guild of Great Britain
The union for writers who work in film, TV, radio and videogames.

Raindance
Organisers of the British Independent Film Awards and the associated festival (imagine Sundance, only much, much smaller). Also provider good quality, low-cost training for filmmakers.


LINKS
Write Here, Write Now: Required Reading
A comprehensive list of links related to screenwriting.

Scripped
Free online screenwriting software.

Zhura
Another piece of free online screenwriting software.

CeltX
A free pre-production suite of software. It's website says it has tools to "write scripts, storyboard scenes and sequences, sketch setups, develop characters, breakdown & tag elements, schedule productions, and prepare and circulate informative reports for cast and crew."

Scenechronize
A suite of tools similar to CeltX, but aimed at professional filmmakers and hosted online.

EDITS:
7 Dec 09 - More links added. Layout changed and style corrections made.
12 Jan 09 - More links added.