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.
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