Everything you ever wanted to know about making a movie but were afraid to ask Lights, camera, action! We all have at least one movie in us, and the amazing and affordable advances in digital technology makes it increasingly easy to make your dream a reality and share it with the world. Filmmaking for Dummies is your definitive guide to bringing a project to life, from the comedy antics of loveable pets to the deepest, most meaningful independent film. Bryan Michael Stoller is your friend and guide, sharing his knowledge gained over 100 productions (directing and working with Dan Aykroyd, James Earl-Jones, Barbra Streisand and Drew Barrymore, among others) to show you how to take your movie from the planning and storyboarding stage, through shooting and editing, to making it available to your adoring audiences through television broadcast, streaming online or in movie theaters. For the do-it-your-selfer, the book includes tips on how to finance your project, a look at the latest software and apps, including advancements in digital technology, and for the passionate director, advice on how to hire and work with your cast and crew and find great scenic locations. Whether you want to become a professional filmmaker or just create great YouTube videos or nostalgic home movies, shooting with your smartphone or with consumer or pro-gear, this practical guide has it all. Learn how to compose your shots and when to move the camera Make the perfect pitch to sell your story Take advantage of helpful contacts and tons of new resources Get up-to-date on the latest and greatest digital technology Find the right distributor, or learn how you can be your own distributor! So, you really have no excuses to make your masterpiece. Get rolling with a copy of Filmmaking for Dummies today and start shooting for the stars!

Everything you ever wanted to know about making a movie but were afraid to ask...Lights, camera, action! We all have at least one movie in us, and the amazing and affordable advances in digital technology makes it increasingly easy to make your dream a reality and share it with the world. Filmmaking for Dummies is your definitive guide to bringing a project to life, from the comedy antics of loveable pets to the deepest, most meaningful independent film. Bryan Michael Stoller is your friend and guide, sharing his knowledge gained over 100 productions (directing and working with Dan Aykroyd, James Earl-Jones, Barbra Streisand and Drew Barrymore, among others) to show you how to take your movie from the planning and storyboarding stage, through shooting and editing, to making it available to your adoring audiences through television broadcast, streaming online or in movie theaters.For the do-it-your-selfer, the book includes tips on how to finance your project, a look at the latest software and apps, including advancements in digital technology, and for the passionate director, advice on how to hire and work with your cast and crew and find great scenic locations. Whether you want to become a professional filmmaker or just create great YouTube videos or nostalgic home movies, shooting with your smartphone or with consumer or pro-gear, this practical guide has it all.* Learn how to compose your shots and when to move the camera* Make the perfect pitch to sell your story* Take advantage of helpful contacts and tons of new resources* Get up-to-date on the latest and greatest digital technology* Find the right distributor, or learn how you can be your own distributor!So, you really have no excuses to make your masterpiece. Get rolling with a copy of Filmmaking for Dummies today and start shooting for the stars!

Introduction 1Part 1: Getting Started with Filmmaking 5Chapter 1: So You Want to Be a Filmmaker 7Chapter 2: Genres in General 21Chapter 3: Penning and Pitching a Great Story 39Part 2: Gearing Up to Make Your Movie 55Chapter 4: Scheduling and Budgeting Your Movie 57Chapter 5: Financing Your Movie 77Chapter 6: Location, Location, Location 93Chapter 7: Crewing Up: Hiring Your Crew 109Chapter 8: Assembling Your Cast of Characters 129Chapter 9: Storyboarding Your Movie 145Part 3: Ready to Roll: Starting Production on Your Movie 161Chapter 10: Shooting through the Looking Glass 163Chapter 11: Let There Be Lighting! 191Chapter 12: Sound Advice: Production Sound 209Chapter 13: Directing Your Actors: And Action! 227Chapter 14: A Sense of Direction: Directing Your Movie 243Part 4: Finishing Your Movie in Post 265Chapter 15: Cut to: Editing Your Movie -- Shot by Shot 267Chapter 16: Posting Your Movie's Soundtrack: Adding Music and Effects to the Mix 287Chapter 17: Conjuring Up Special Effects 305Chapter 18: Giving Credit and Titles 325Part 5: Finding Distribution for Your Movie 337Chapter 19: Distributing Your Movie 339Chapter 20: Exploring and Entering Film Festivals 363Part 6: The Part of Tens 377Chapter 21: Ten Tips for Discovering New Talent 379Chapter 22: Ten Ways to Get Publicity for Your Movie 385Chapter 23: Ten Ways to Avoid Murphy's Law 391Chapter 24: Ten Tips for Shooting on Your Smartphone 397Index 405