The Movie Making Book by Dan Farrell and Donna Bamford
| The Movie Making Book by Dan Farrell and Donna Bamford | |
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| Category: Children's Non-Fiction | |
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Reviewer: Sam Tyler
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| Summary: A child's guide to making a movie which tackles the entire process from camera work to story structure. | |
| Buy? Maybe | Borrow? Yes |
| Pages: 144 | Date: May 2017 |
| Publisher: Frances Lincoln | |
| External links: Author's website | |
| ISBN: 9780711238879 | |
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In my youth we had to make do with a camcorder that would fit a mini-tape that you recorded onto. This mini-tape would then slip into a casing that could be watched on your VHS (imagine something like a DVD player, but with awful fidelity). In all, making a film was a big old faff, but trying to do anything fancy was almost impossible. There is no longer this excuse for kids today with their camera enabled smart devices, but just because they can do something does not mean they will be any good. A guide for movie making would certainly help!
The Movie Making Book hopes to achieve just this and is a step by step guide for adolescents on how to start making their own movies. Areas covered include basic camera techniques, but also film structure and special effects. The end of the book even has some scenarios to help get the creative juices flowing.
As someone who had some great times with my friends growing up making mini-movies, a book like this would have been a boon. We just used to wing things and never took the process too seriously. The great thing about Moving Making is that is keeps the same playful enjoyment of film making, but also empowers. The information in the book does not seek to sap the joy from making movies, but perhaps inspire a child to think about what they are doing. With this in our backpacks, some of us may have been inspired to go into the industry.
Farrell and Bamford are part of a group which runs movie making classes for kids and this comes across in the book, not only with their level of expertise, but how they approach the subject matter. The book is probably best used by an enthusiastic 8-12 year old as the techniques are often simple, but will help them develop their skills. Older children may have already stumbled across what to do, but even they will learn a few things.
The book has a nice balance between practical directorial skills, but also does not neglect the overall film making experience. Storytelling is discussed as is characterisation. Anyone who has been to the cinema in the past 20 years or so will be well aware how many films try to dazzle you with special effects, whilst forgetting to add any heart to proceedings. You get a real sense that the authors wish to develop rounded auteurs rather than the journey-directors of the future.
The structure of the book is well thought through, it spaces the various elements so that you can tackle them one by one. There are plenty of full colour photos showing other children doing the activity so that the book is not too dry. Even so, there is a case here that you have to read the book at the right time. A child who is too old will be put off by the kiddy approach in places. You just need to find a younger tech happy child who can get the most from the book.
If you want to read a fictionised version of some kids making a movie, check out How Harry Riddles Made a Mega-Amazing Zombie Movie by Simon Mayle.
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You can read more book reviews or buy The Movie Making Book by Dan Farrell and Donna Bamford at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
You can read more book reviews or buy The Movie Making Book by Dan Farrell and Donna Bamford at Amazon.com.
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