Recommended filmmaking/film theory books?

[dayswithbunnies]

Inspired by a recent post, I want to pose the question: what books do you think are essential reading for any film student? Do they cover all the very important basics, or are they just plain awesome?

I'll list some that have popped up in many of my past courses, as well as others that my film production/screenwriting friends recommend.

• The

Comments

[branchesofpaper]

awesome, thanks :)

[scaredmonsters]

i'm gonna have to take some of these down
i have most of the course related one
and the 501 Must-see Movies along with it's little check list book simply for the fact that i have a sick love for lists

[culolapp]

ha, I will experiment my thought, your post bring me some good ideas, it’s truly amazing, thanks.

[yuber_neclord]

Probably the best film book I was reccomended in film school was "In the Blink Of An Eye" By Walter Murch. It's written by a film editor/ sound designer who worked on films like Apocalypse Now, American Graffiti and The Godfather. I found his use of explaining things through the use of analogy a really effective way for me to understand what he was saying.

Two of my other favourite film books are "Rebel Without a Crew" by Robert Rodriguez and "What they Don't teach you at film school" by Camille Landau and Tiare White.

Rebel Without a Crew is full of really handy tips for any indy film makers looking to make a low budget film and "What they don't teach you in Film school" is also full of really great stuff.