Digital Moviemaking

by Scott Billups

In this hip and irreverent book, you'll learn exactly what you need to make your own digital movie and become the hot young filmmaker of tomorrow.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0941188302
• ISBN13: 9780941188302
• Release Date: December 2000
• Publisher: Michael Wiese Productions
• Length: 200 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

One of Two Best Books On Subject

The technical mumbo-jumbo in this book is very well explained by Mr. Billups, and this is one of two books that I found essential in starting my digital movie business (SPEXProductions) with only limited knowledge of the essentials required to make intelligent decisions to purchase the best equipment at the best price. Many of the toys featured in his book are already outdated, but essential need-to-know technical basic concepts haven't changed very much. It was doubly hard for me because I'm using a lot of greenscreening techniques in our LIBERTY 72 project.Like almost everything else in this genre, many of the featured toys and tech are already outdated. But wait! Don't miss out on this book. It's real diamond mine is that Billups has managed to (cleverly) slide in the best (and most humorous) description of the totally insane Hollywood mindset that I've ever seen from a Hollywood Insider. I don't know if he still gets invited to those "A-List" Hollywood parties (yes, I do believe I've seen him at more than one!) but he is always welcome out here where the real people are - and where hopefully a lot of great movie makers of the future will originate! Anyone can find a "how to" tech book ... but it is rare to find so many more things that everyone who wants to join the business need to know about some of the other pheripherals of the business. This is like buying several books under one cover. A must read for beginners!

Best book out there

After purchasing numerous books on the subject, in recent months, Scotts' book was a breath of fresh air!!.I was overwhelmed with the brutal honesty and passionate guidance of this book, that of which can only come from significant experience!! All of my questions regarding "Which Camera ?", "Which Editing platform?", "Which Asylum will I be in at the end of all this ?" etc were answered. As someone who is about to spend close to 30k on a system I have been in "research mode" for the past 2 months.This book answered ALL my questions. It is not only incredibly factual, but a very amusing and inspirational read. If you are thinking of purchasing digital equipment this is the best resource that I have come across. Excellent book, worth every penny and great web-site for reference. Highly recommended.

Serious how to book, but written with humor. Entertaining.

Buy this book IF IF IF you plan to seriously transfer digital video to FILM (i.e. 16mm or 35mm) for example to submit to your documentary or movie to a film festival. He shows anyone who is serious can pull it off.If you DON'T PLAN to transfer to film it is completely over the top.Nonetheless, the book is written for a layperson and is quite entertaining to read. The author shoots straight from the hip and tells you his highly opionionated views on equipment and processes - exact models and estimated prices are described.Refreshingly honest in comparison to the usual "how-to" type books.

I resisted, but he was right.

I'm a right-brainer, and not usually that fond of technical discussions, but I bought this book out of sheer necessity, and read every word. Billups laid it on the line: turn off the auto-everything features, and just use the camera. My footage sucked for a while, and then started to look professional once I actually learned what was going on. He also would have saved me a FORTUNE if I had read this book first, since he has great recommendations for used equipment. I didn't need to spend thousands on the camera. Oh well. This book has an occasionally world- weary tone, and the layout is quirky (the best info comes late in the book), but once you go with it and get used to his style, he'll save you money, time, and headaches. I'd put it in the must-read list *before* you go equipment shopping.

Experience Counts

Working in the world of film & tv editing and post-production, I pride myself on being a bit of a techno-geek. However, this book goes into areas and ideas that, frankly, never even crossed my mind. Billups is like a favorite uncle recounting his experiences in the trenches, making the book very hard to put down. His enthusiasm definitely comes across, and the information stays with you because of the way it is presented. This is not a simple regurgitation of facts and technical specs. There's even a website where you can download charts and other goods for your foray into the digital film world. Definitely check it out.