Developing Digital Short Films

Let me get this out of the way right up front. I love this book! This book is the most complete book on the topic that I've seen so far. I've read a dozen books on script writing and story development and another half dozen on film making. Sheridan has created a one-stop resource. (I realize my previous study may have prepped me to "get" everything in this book.) You can use this book to create any kind of film, be it "real action" shot with a dv camera, or animation or any combination of the two. The book is divided into three parts, and each part has several chapters. As each chapter addresses a topic, there are "exercises" and "projects" to help you learn the topic lessons and develop your first film as you go through the book. Part I is "Digital Storytelling." She starts out by covering how to come up with ideas for a film story. Her exercises will take you through brainstorming and writing to come up with several story ideas. Then she goes in depth with original characters, themes and metaphors, including all of the elements that make a good character, how to develop a character "arc." She explains what a theme in a film is and how to develop visual metaphors that define characters. Part I ends with a great section on plot points and how to add twists, turns and surprise to your plot to keep it interesting. In Part II, she shows you how to use the three-act structure, create scenes and write a script. The CD-ROM includes a demo copy of Movie Magic Screenwriter that is fully functional and doesn't expire for producing short (40-pages or less). If you follow her steps, you will end up with a script. Once you have your script, she tells you how to shoot it, how to make your shot choices, frame shots, and get the eye to go where you want it in a scene. I was really impressed with the section on how to design the color palette for your film to create the mood you want. The book winds up with editing, making the editing choices, adding in special effects, sound effects, titles, etc. The CD-ROM also includes demo versions of Adobe After Effects (see my review on page 7) and Sonic Fire Pro. You can use the latter to add music to your film. After going through this book, I wanted to be like the kids in the old 40s movies - "Hey, kids, lets make a movie!"

"Developing Digital Short Films" is filled with ideas, examples, and detailed exercises. I have been teaching students how to make digital films for a number of years, and I think this book is remarkable in its breadth-it is everything that I have always wanted wrapped into one volume. It can be used with young filmmakers in school as well as adults in workshops, and because it has so much material and some flexible options, you can choose from among the vast number of examples and exercises when teaching. The depth and structure of the book allow filmmakers to fully explore an idea, to deepen the examination of character and plot points, to spend extensive time on shot visualization, to ensure enough time in pre-production, and to use 2D and 3D effects to enhance their films. Every filmmaker and teacher knows that anyone can start a film or write a script-but creating one that effectively includes all of the necessary elements is difficult. "Developing Digital Short Films" is an answer to that problem.

I felt compelled to add my two bits on the quality of the illustrations in this book. Another reviewer found them to be of poor quality and felt that they detracted from the book. My opinion is quite the opposite. The point made from these illustrations is you don't have to be a superb artist to get your ideas down on paper. These are illustrations that can be accomplished by most people. The book does a great job of encouraging you to use drawings, no matter how unrefined, to get your ideas solidified.I've not read much of the book yet, but quite enjoy it. I have seen no other book with this type of information combined. It helps with most aspects of pre-production in a thorough manner. I would definitely recommend this book.

If you are making any kind of film, or telling any sort of story, the information in this book will make it better and deeper. There is a ton of information on how to tell a VISUAL STORY, which none of the other film books I've read cover in so much depth. The sections on how to use visual metaphors and symbols really helped me to understand how films tell stories using pictures and actions. I've never seen a book with so much useful information packed onto each page. There are 100's of lists of ideas for the reader to choose from in a great step-by-step preproduction process. The digital parts on storytelling are revolutionary and really helped me see where I could use some simple techniques to make my film more hip and original. Essential reading for any independent filmmaker working in features, documentary or shorts. I just love this book! Buy it - it will change the way you think about making films on a micro budget.

This book focuses on the most important aspects of filmmaking...character and story development... Without a strong original story and characters nobody will care about your particle system and fancy renders... I like this quote by Syd Mead "And finally, don't assume that technique alone will save your ass. It still is the idea that wins...every time. Remember that elaborate technique and dumb story produces a demo reel, not a narrative."Sherri Sheridan takes apart the traditional narrative structure of successful films and allows you to put them back together again using your original characters and plotlines. There is a ton of material on scriptwriting and storyboarding, preproduction is the most important phase of making a film and this book is filled with preproduction information. This is must have material! If you are planning to make your own short or feature film buy this book! Trust me you won't be sorry! I could go on and on but I have to work on my film! Good luck!