Check It Out

If you plan to be one of the 20,000 film devotees expected for this

year’s Newport Beach Film Festival, you can deepen your appreciation of

the magic behind the silver screen with books from Newport Beach public

libraries.

New on the shelves is Syd Field’s “Going to the Movies,” an

affectionate meditation on what makes movies great. Using classics

ranging from “Citizen Kane’ ‘and “Casablanca” to “Pulp Fiction” and “The

Matrix,” the acclaimed screenwriting teacher dissects the elements of

exceptional cinema and reveals how structure, acting and camera work can

elicit powerful responses from viewers.

Other informed perspectives on memorable classics are in “Writers at

the Movies,” featuring 26 essays by such contemporary authors as Susan

Sontag and Salman Rushdie. From inspired takes on “The Wizard of Oz” to

opinions about “The Godfather” and “Titanic,” there’s outstanding movie

criticism in this anthology edited by Sam Shepard.

Screenwriter Greg Merritt puts the emphasis on films made outside of

Hollywood in “Film Production: The Complete Uncensored Guide to

Independent Filmmaking.” Covering everything from pre-production to

raising money, scheduling, casting, editing, scoring and publicity, there

are abundant facts about producing and selling a motion picture in this

slim volume.

To better understand the socioeconomic, political and artistic forces

that led to the rise of independent films, check out Emanual Levy’s

“Cinema of Outsiders.” Based on research of more than 1,000 movies made

between 1977 and the present, Levy evaluates exemplary indies that

challenge big-budget, star-studded mainstream fare.

If you’re beyond reading about movies and aim to direct one, turn to

“The Film Director,” in which Hollywood insider Richard Bare offers

guidance about how to get a job with a studio or production company. In

addition, find tips about shooting, staging, camera style, rehearsing and

editing from an Oscar-nominated director who has worked with such

luminaries as Steven Spielberg and George Lucas.

Other insights about the vision it takes to inspire a film from behind

the camera are in “My First Movie: Twenty Celebrated Directors Talk About

Their First Film.” In interviews with subjects representing mainstream

Hollywood, American independent and foreign films, Stephen Lowenstein

paints a revealing portrait of the director’s world.

Directing is one of many topics that will be covered at “The

Collaborative Art of Filmmaking,” a free, two-day seminar that will take

place this weekend at the Newport Beach Central Library. From

screenwriting to set design, cinematography and special effects, there

will be something for everyone interested in the process of filmmaking at

programs presented by film industry veterans. Seating is limited to 200

and is on a first-come, first-served basis.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Melissa Adams, in collaboration with

Sara Barnicle. All titles may be reserved from home or office computers

by accessing the catalog at www.newportbeachlibrary.org.