Learn to Speak Film: A Guide to Creating, Promoting & Screening Your Movies

Gr 5–8—Anyone who has access to a camera can be an amateur filmmaker. Luckily, smartphones have made video cameras small, portable, and accessible to young people. Those who are already experimenting with the medium or just curious about how their favorite movies are made will soak up the valuable information and advice in this delightful soup-to-nuts guide. Although Kulak's playful design and illustrations are visually appealing for young readers, the content is sophisticated and practical for older readers as well. They are addressed not as children but as auteurs in training. The book covers all aspects of the movie industry, beginning with why film is a unique and powerful art form. Each chapter focuses on one part of the creative process and is further subdivided into specific topics such as camera framing, running rehearsals, or editing, making it easy to return to the text for reference. Sidebars contain tidbits of advice from industry professionals as well as age-appropriate films that exemplify a particular concept or style. Technical terminology is clearly defined in context, but the most important information Glassbourg presents focuses not on the practical elements of filmmaking but on the philosophical: organization, cooperation, and how to accept and use criticism. These are useful lessons for any young artist but particularly for those interested in filmmaking, which is an intricate medium requiring hard work and collaboration. A valuable addition for creative and curious readers.—Joy Piedmont, LREI, New York City