At last, the book that tells you what you really want to know, 16 Sep 2008
What a great book. Concise with well thought-out chapters. Figgis writes in his own voice without self-promotion. This is really essential reading for anyone embarking on independant film making with a digital camcorder. He covers all aspects including your relationship with actors. This is not a technical how-to textbook, it's about the kind of experiences you would only get from working along side an experienced director.

Don't be without it., 16 Aug 2008
This book made me realise how easy it can be to make your own films and get involved with other peoples. It gave me the confidence to just go out and get my own first camera without panicking over whether it was 'the right one'. It has great tips for when you are working on a budget and is a great encouragement to just go out and give it a go.

It gives practical tips, interesting and inspirational advice and is a quick and easy read that can be carried around with you wherever you go. I loved it and often use it as a point of reference.

very useful book, 12 May 2008
I really liked this book. It was very personal and most useful. There are loads of books out there about how to do this and that. What I wanted was some great advice. For starters know your equipment inside out, get a book and write notes about how your settings work, try different combinations. I thought that might be obvious to some but it was inspirational to me. Another great tip was treasure your equipment. Keep it immaculate, really clean especially the lens, otherwise big blobs appear on the big screen! Its got a lot of really good points which I found most useful.

I like the fact that he talks about his work, his passion, his attention to every detail. It's important and very useful. Without passion nothing get done to the highest levels.

Anyone can make a film, 15 Apr 2008
This is a truly inspiring book for any aspiring film-maker. Though it is by no means a "how to" manual it nonetheless equips the reader with a sense that there really is no barrier to creating a film with next to no budget and minimal equipment. Figgis points out that ideas, ingenuity and vision are the essential tools of the film director rather than expensive equipment and a professional crew. The style of the book is conversational and full of anecdotes (some useful and illuminating others simply reminiscences) from Figgis' own film-making experiences. For me the book is most useful on lighting, on which subject Figgis gives some really practical and surprising tips, and working with actors, where his insights into the motivations and insecurities of that profession could save the novice director a lot of grief! Altogether a useful and highly readable addition to the aspiring film-makers bookshelf.

Lacking in Detail, 23 Oct 2007
Hmmm. . . This is a good book, I certainly found it inspiring and it's full of illuminating little hints. However, it's also very short and lacking in detail. Not a 'how to', more of an 'I did'.

At last, the book that tells you what you really want to know, 16 Sep 2008
What a great book. Concise with well thought-out chapters. Figgis writes in his own voice without self-promotion. This is really essential reading for anyone embarking on independant film making with a digital camcorder. He covers all aspects including your relationship with actors. This is not a technical how-to textbook, it's about the kind of experiences you would only get from working along side an experienced director.

Don't be without it., 16 Aug 2008
This book made me realise how easy it can be to make your own films and get involved with other peoples. It gave me the confidence to just go out and get my own first camera without panicking over whether it was 'the right one'. It has great tips for when you are working on a budget and is a great encouragement to just go out and give it a go.

It gives practical tips, interesting and inspirational advice and is a quick and easy read that can be carried around with you wherever you go. I loved it and often use it as a point of reference.

very useful book, 12 May 2008
I really liked this book. It was very personal and most useful. There are loads of books out there about how to do this and that. What I wanted was some great advice. For starters know your equipment inside out, get a book and write notes about how your settings work, try different combinations. I thought that might be obvious to some but it was inspirational to me. Another great tip was treasure your equipment. Keep it immaculate, really clean especially the lens, otherwise big blobs appear on the big screen! Its got a lot of really good points which I found most useful.

I like the fact that he talks about his work, his passion, his attention to every detail. It's important and very useful. Without passion nothing get done to the highest levels.

Anyone can make a film, 15 Apr 2008
This is a truly inspiring book for any aspiring film-maker. Though it is by no means a "how to" manual it nonetheless equips the reader with a sense that there really is no barrier to creating a film with next to no budget and minimal equipment. Figgis points out that ideas, ingenuity and vision are the essential tools of the film director rather than expensive equipment and a professional crew. The style of the book is conversational and full of anecdotes (some useful and illuminating others simply reminiscences) from Figgis' own film-making experiences. For me the book is most useful on lighting, on which subject Figgis gives some really practical and surprising tips, and working with actors, where his insights into the motivations and insecurities of that profession could save the novice director a lot of grief! Altogether a useful and highly readable addition to the aspiring film-makers bookshelf.

Lacking in Detail, 23 Oct 2007
Hmmm. . . This is a good book, I certainly found it inspiring and it's full of illuminating little hints. However, it's also very short and lacking in detail. Not a 'how to', more of an 'I did'.

Excellent, no-nonsense introduction, 14 Apr 2008
This is for anyone who prefers simple and straightforward explanation. It's clearly written and illustrated by someone who has enough practical experience to keep you focused on what matters. Although there's a place for the chatty 'for dummies' kind of book, it's refreshing to come across something like this which gets the job done with no fuss.

Cheap too.

Excellent stepping stone, 13 Aug 2007
This is a clear and concise book telling you everything you need to know to step up from an amateur camera operator to a good semi professional standard. If you want to become a professional, I would start here, follow Peter's guidelines and then go out and shoot.

At last, the book that tells you what you really want to know, 16 Sep 2008
What a great book. Concise with well thought-out chapters. Figgis writes in his own voice without self-promotion. This is really essential reading for anyone embarking on independant film making with a digital camcorder. He covers all aspects including your relationship with actors. This is not a technical how-to textbook, it's about the kind of experiences you would only get from working along side an experienced director.

Don't be without it., 16 Aug 2008
This book made me realise how easy it can be to make your own films and get involved with other peoples. It gave me the confidence to just go out and get my own first camera without panicking over whether it was 'the right one'. It has great tips for when you are working on a budget and is a great encouragement to just go out and give it a go.

It gives practical tips, interesting and inspirational advice and is a quick and easy read that can be carried around with you wherever you go. I loved it and often use it as a point of reference.

very useful book, 12 May 2008
I really liked this book. It was very personal and most useful. There are loads of books out there about how to do this and that. What I wanted was some great advice. For starters know your equipment inside out, get a book and write notes about how your settings work, try different combinations. I thought that might be obvious to some but it was inspirational to me. Another great tip was treasure your equipment. Keep it immaculate, really clean especially the lens, otherwise big blobs appear on the big screen! Its got a lot of really good points which I found most useful.

I like the fact that he talks about his work, his passion, his attention to every detail. It's important and very useful. Without passion nothing get done to the highest levels.

Anyone can make a film, 15 Apr 2008
This is a truly inspiring book for any aspiring film-maker. Though it is by no means a "how to" manual it nonetheless equips the reader with a sense that there really is no barrier to creating a film with next to no budget and minimal equipment. Figgis points out that ideas, ingenuity and vision are the essential tools of the film director rather than expensive equipment and a professional crew. The style of the book is conversational and full of anecdotes (some useful and illuminating others simply reminiscences) from Figgis' own film-making experiences. For me the book is most useful on lighting, on which subject Figgis gives some really practical and surprising tips, and working with actors, where his insights into the motivations and insecurities of that profession could save the novice director a lot of grief! Altogether a useful and highly readable addition to the aspiring film-makers bookshelf.

Lacking in Detail, 23 Oct 2007
Hmmm. . . This is a good book, I certainly found it inspiring and it's full of illuminating little hints. However, it's also very short and lacking in detail. Not a 'how to', more of an 'I did'.

Excellent, no-nonsense introduction, 14 Apr 2008
This is for anyone who prefers simple and straightforward explanation. It's clearly written and illustrated by someone who has enough practical experience to keep you focused on what matters. Although there's a place for the chatty 'for dummies' kind of book, it's refreshing to come across something like this which gets the job done with no fuss.

Cheap too.

Excellent stepping stone, 13 Aug 2007
This is a clear and concise book telling you everything you need to know to step up from an amateur camera operator to a good semi professional standard. If you want to become a professional, I would start here, follow Peter's guidelines and then go out and shoot.

Exellent, 20 Feb 2007
This quality book is for anyone who; wants to get a good grasp of how CG is done, wants to find an entry point into the seemingly complex world of CG. It can be read straight through, or used as a reference. There are many practical exercises, with an accompaning DVD.

One point to note, this book almost exclusively deals with SHAKE, and comes with a 30 day trial version. It is amusingly written, and richly illustrated, as usual with books from this publisher. No, the author is not a friend!!

At last, the book that tells you what you really want to know, 16 Sep 2008
What a great book. Concise with well thought-out chapters. Figgis writes in his own voice without self-promotion. This is really essential reading for anyone embarking on independant film making with a digital camcorder. He covers all aspects including your relationship with actors. This is not a technical how-to textbook, it's about the kind of experiences you would only get from working along side an experienced director.

Don't be without it., 16 Aug 2008
This book made me realise how easy it can be to make your own films and get involved with other peoples. It gave me the confidence to just go out and get my own first camera without panicking over whether it was 'the right one'. It has great tips for when you are working on a budget and is a great encouragement to just go out and give it a go.

It gives practical tips, interesting and inspirational advice and is a quick and easy read that can be carried around with you wherever you go. I loved it and often use it as a point of reference.

very useful book, 12 May 2008
I really liked this book. It was very personal and most useful. There are loads of books out there about how to do this and that. What I wanted was some great advice. For starters know your equipment inside out, get a book and write notes about how your settings work, try different combinations. I thought that might be obvious to some but it was inspirational to me. Another great tip was treasure your equipment. Keep it immaculate, really clean especially the lens, otherwise big blobs appear on the big screen! Its got a lot of really good points which I found most useful.

I like the fact that he talks about his work, his passion, his attention to every detail. It's important and very useful. Without passion nothing get done to the highest levels.

Anyone can make a film, 15 Apr 2008
This is a truly inspiring book for any aspiring film-maker. Though it is by no means a "how to" manual it nonetheless equips the reader with a sense that there really is no barrier to creating a film with next to no budget and minimal equipment. Figgis points out that ideas, ingenuity and vision are the essential tools of the film director rather than expensive equipment and a professional crew. The style of the book is conversational and full of anecdotes (some useful and illuminating others simply reminiscences) from Figgis' own film-making experiences. For me the book is most useful on lighting, on which subject Figgis gives some really practical and surprising tips, and working with actors, where his insights into the motivations and insecurities of that profession could save the novice director a lot of grief! Altogether a useful and highly readable addition to the aspiring film-makers bookshelf.

Lacking in Detail, 23 Oct 2007
Hmmm. . . This is a good book, I certainly found it inspiring and it's full of illuminating little hints. However, it's also very short and lacking in detail. Not a 'how to', more of an 'I did'.

Excellent, no-nonsense introduction, 14 Apr 2008
This is for anyone who prefers simple and straightforward explanation. It's clearly written and illustrated by someone who has enough practical experience to keep you focused on what matters. Although there's a place for the chatty 'for dummies' kind of book, it's refreshing to come across something like this which gets the job done with no fuss.

Cheap too.

Excellent stepping stone, 13 Aug 2007
This is a clear and concise book telling you everything you need to know to step up from an amateur camera operator to a good semi professional standard. If you want to become a professional, I would start here, follow Peter's guidelines and then go out and shoot.

Exellent, 20 Feb 2007
This quality book is for anyone who; wants to get a good grasp of how CG is done, wants to find an entry point into the seemingly complex world of CG. It can be read straight through, or used as a reference. There are many practical exercises, with an accompaning DVD.

One point to note, this book almost exclusively deals with SHAKE, and comes with a 30 day trial version. It is amusingly written, and richly illustrated, as usual with books from this publisher. No, the author is not a friend!!

Very informative for the amateur, 10 Nov 2008
A very good book with everything you need to know from choosing your camera, different types of video format, software for editing (though the author obviously has a preference to Apple products, not a bad thing) for Windows and Mac, how to shoot "interesting" video as in angles, zooms etc. Perspective lines are also explained. All in an easy to follow manner.

Aimed more towards the amateur videographer than the seasoned pro, this book however, has something for everyone.

Highly recommended.

At last, the book that tells you what you really want to know, 16 Sep 2008
What a great book. Concise with well thought-out chapters. Figgis writes in his own voice without self-promotion. This is really essential reading for anyone embarking on independant film making with a digital camcorder. He covers all aspects including your relationship with actors. This is not a technical how-to textbook, it's about the kind of experiences you would only get from working along side an experienced director.

Don't be without it., 16 Aug 2008
This book made me realise how easy it can be to make your own films and get involved with other peoples. It gave me the confidence to just go out and get my own first camera without panicking over whether it was 'the right one'. It has great tips for when you are working on a budget and is a great encouragement to just go out and give it a go.

It gives practical tips, interesting and inspirational advice and is a quick and easy read that can be carried around with you wherever you go. I loved it and often use it as a point of reference.

very useful book, 12 May 2008
I really liked this book. It was very personal and most useful. There are loads of books out there about how to do this and that. What I wanted was some great advice. For starters know your equipment inside out, get a book and write notes about how your settings work, try different combinations. I thought that might be obvious to some but it was inspirational to me. Another great tip was treasure your equipment. Keep it immaculate, really clean especially the lens, otherwise big blobs appear on the big screen! Its got a lot of really good points which I found most useful.

I like the fact that he talks about his work, his passion, his attention to every detail. It's important and very useful. Without passion nothing get done to the highest levels.

Anyone can make a film, 15 Apr 2008
This is a truly inspiring book for any aspiring film-maker. Though it is by no means a "how to" manual it nonetheless equips the reader with a sense that there really is no barrier to creating a film with next to no budget and minimal equipment. Figgis points out that ideas, ingenuity and vision are the essential tools of the film director rather than expensive equipment and a professional crew. The style of the book is conversational and full of anecdotes (some useful and illuminating others simply reminiscences) from Figgis' own film-making experiences. For me the book is most useful on lighting, on which subject Figgis gives some really practical and surprising tips, and working with actors, where his insights into the motivations and insecurities of that profession could save the novice director a lot of grief! Altogether a useful and highly readable addition to the aspiring film-makers bookshelf.

Lacking in Detail, 23 Oct 2007
Hmmm. . . This is a good book, I certainly found it inspiring and it's full of illuminating little hints. However, it's also very short and lacking in detail. Not a 'how to', more of an 'I did'.

Excellent, no-nonsense introduction, 14 Apr 2008
This is for anyone who prefers simple and straightforward explanation. It's clearly written and illustrated by someone who has enough practical experience to keep you focused on what matters. Although there's a place for the chatty 'for dummies' kind of book, it's refreshing to come across something like this which gets the job done with no fuss.

Cheap too.

Excellent stepping stone, 13 Aug 2007
This is a clear and concise book telling you everything you need to know to step up from an amateur camera operator to a good semi professional standard. If you want to become a professional, I would start here, follow Peter's guidelines and then go out and shoot.

Exellent, 20 Feb 2007
This quality book is for anyone who; wants to get a good grasp of how CG is done, wants to find an entry point into the seemingly complex world of CG. It can be read straight through, or used as a reference. There are many practical exercises, with an accompaning DVD.

One point to note, this book almost exclusively deals with SHAKE, and comes with a 30 day trial version. It is amusingly written, and richly illustrated, as usual with books from this publisher. No, the author is not a friend!!

Very informative for the amateur, 10 Nov 2008
A very good book with everything you need to know from choosing your camera, different types of video format, software for editing (though the author obviously has a preference to Apple products, not a bad thing) for Windows and Mac, how to shoot "interesting" video as in angles, zooms etc. Perspective lines are also explained. All in an easy to follow manner.

Aimed more towards the amateur videographer than the seasoned pro, this book however, has something for everyone.

Highly recommended.

Movie Maker 2, 17 Nov 2008
....Windows Movie Maker 2 comes 'free' with XP and is perhaps the easiest way to get into Video Editing.

After using it for a couple of hours and doing the ususal 'titling' - 'captions' - 'transitions' and 'endings'I thought that there MUST be a few things I don't know about - what else you can do with it....?

I purchased this book in order to find out these unknowns...

Alas - the book simply tells me in somewhat simplistic and easy to read terms what I've already learned without reading a single word from any book...
It's not a bad book - quite well written and illustrated but (in my case) totally un-needed....

If you've just brought a video-cam and want to get into making your first movie masterpiece Movie Maker 2 is great - it'll get you going - for many of you - it's all the software you'll ever need....

If you're into doing something a bit more extensive then perhaps other more expensive software might be the order of the day - it will probably be more complicated to use than Movie Maker 2 - it that case you might need a book to explain its useage fully...

In the case of Movie Maker - a book is overkill - you can learn it as you go along without checking up to see if there is another way of using your creative talents...

The book is now on my shelf gathering dust and will eventually be 'eBayed'

...do AMAZING Things - not with this book I'm afraid....

At last, the book that tells you what you really want to know, 16 Sep 2008
What a great book. Concise with well thought-out chapters. Figgis writes in his own voice without self-promotion. This is really essential reading for anyone embarking on independant film making with a digital camcorder. He covers all aspects including your relationship with actors. This is not a technical how-to textbook, it's about the kind of experiences you would only get from working along side an experienced director.

Don't be without it., 16 Aug 2008
This book made me realise how easy it can be to make your own films and get involved with other peoples. It gave me the confidence to just go out and get my own first camera without panicking over whether it was 'the right one'. It has great tips for when you are working on a budget and is a great encouragement to just go out and give it a go.

It gives practical tips, interesting and inspirational advice and is a quick and easy read that can be carried around with you wherever you go. I loved it and often use it as a point of reference.

very useful book, 12 May 2008
I really liked this book. It was very personal and most useful. There are loads of books out there about how to do this and that. What I wanted was some great advice. For starters know your equipment inside out, get a book and write notes about how your settings work, try different combinations. I thought that might be obvious to some but it was inspirational to me. Another great tip was treasure your equipment. Keep it immaculate, really clean especially the lens, otherwise big blobs appear on the big screen! Its got a lot of really good points which I found most useful.

I like the fact that he talks about his work, his passion, his attention to every detail. It's important and very useful. Without passion nothing get done to the highest levels.

Anyone can make a film, 15 Apr 2008
This is a truly inspiring book for any aspiring film-maker. Though it is by no means a "how to" manual it nonetheless equips the reader with a sense that there really is no barrier to creating a film with next to no budget and minimal equipment. Figgis points out that ideas, ingenuity and vision are the essential tools of the film director rather than expensive equipment and a professional crew. The style of the book is conversational and full of anecdotes (some useful and illuminating others simply reminiscences) from Figgis' own film-making experiences. For me the book is most useful on lighting, on which subject Figgis gives some really practical and surprising tips, and working with actors, where his insights into the motivations and insecurities of that profession could save the novice director a lot of grief! Altogether a useful and highly readable addition to the aspiring film-makers bookshelf.

Lacking in Detail, 23 Oct 2007
Hmmm. . . This is a good book, I certainly found it inspiring and it's full of illuminating little hints. However, it's also very short and lacking in detail. Not a 'how to', more of an 'I did'.

Excellent, no-nonsense introduction, 14 Apr 2008
This is for anyone who prefers simple and straightforward explanation. It's clearly written and illustrated by someone who has enough practical experience to keep you focused on what matters. Although there's a place for the chatty 'for dummies' kind of book, it's refreshing to come across something like this which gets the job done with no fuss.

Cheap too.

Excellent stepping stone, 13 Aug 2007
This is a clear and concise book telling you everything you need to know to step up from an amateur camera operator to a good semi professional standard. If you want to become a professional, I would start here, follow Peter's guidelines and then go out and shoot.

Exellent, 20 Feb 2007
This quality book is for anyone who; wants to get a good grasp of how CG is done, wants to find an entry point into the seemingly complex world of CG. It can be read straight through, or used as a reference. There are many practical exercises, with an accompaning DVD.

One point to note, this book almost exclusively deals with SHAKE, and comes with a 30 day trial version. It is amusingly written, and richly illustrated, as usual with books from this publisher. No, the author is not a friend!!

Very informative for the amateur, 10 Nov 2008
A very good book with everything you need to know from choosing your camera, different types of video format, software for editing (though the author obviously has a preference to Apple products, not a bad thing) for Windows and Mac, how to shoot "interesting" video as in angles, zooms etc. Perspective lines are also explained. All in an easy to follow manner.

Aimed more towards the amateur videographer than the seasoned pro, this book however, has something for everyone.

Highly recommended.

Movie Maker 2, 17 Nov 2008
....Windows Movie Maker 2 comes 'free' with XP and is perhaps the easiest way to get into Video Editing.

After using it for a couple of hours and doing the ususal 'titling' - 'captions' - 'transitions' and 'endings'I thought that there MUST be a few things I don't know about - what else you can do with it....?

I purchased this book in order to find out these unknowns...

Alas - the book simply tells me in somewhat simplistic and easy to read terms what I've already learned without reading a single word from any book...
It's not a bad book - quite well written and illustrated but (in my case) totally un-needed....

If you've just brought a video-cam and want to get into making your first movie masterpiece Movie Maker 2 is great - it'll get you going - for many of you - it's all the software you'll ever need....

If you're into doing something a bit more extensive then perhaps other more expensive software might be the order of the day - it will probably be more complicated to use than Movie Maker 2 - it that case you might need a book to explain its useage fully...

In the case of Movie Maker - a book is overkill - you can learn it as you go along without checking up to see if there is another way of using your creative talents...

The book is now on my shelf gathering dust and will eventually be 'eBayed'

...do AMAZING Things - not with this book I'm afraid....




Art Of Sparth, 31 Dec 2006
Sparths work is amazing so this book should really good. I've always loved what he and the steambot guys did for digital painting and Photoshop in general.

The Ballistic publishing Concept Art title that feartured Sparth really showed off his work very well so i hope that this book does just as well.

At last, the book that tells you what you really want to know, 16 Sep 2008
What a great book. Concise with well thought-out chapters. Figgis writes in his own voice without self-promotion. This is really essential reading for anyone embarking on independant film making with a digital camcorder. He covers all aspects including your relationship with actors. This is not a technical how-to textbook, it's about the kind of experiences you would only get from working along side an experienced director.

Don't be without it., 16 Aug 2008
This book made me realise how easy it can be to make your own films and get involved with other peoples. It gave me the confidence to just go out and get my own first camera without panicking over whether it was 'the right one'. It has great tips for when you are working on a budget and is a great encouragement to just go out and give it a go.

It gives practical tips, interesting and inspirational advice and is a quick and easy read that can be carried around with you wherever you go. I loved it and often use it as a point of reference.

very useful book, 12 May 2008
I really liked this book. It was very personal and most useful. There are loads of books out there about how to do this and that. What I wanted was some great advice. For starters know your equipment inside out, get a book and write notes about how your settings work, try different combinations. I thought that might be obvious to some but it was inspirational to me. Another great tip was treasure your equipment. Keep it immaculate, really clean especially the lens, otherwise big blobs appear on the big screen! Its got a lot of really good points which I found most useful.

I like the fact that he talks about his work, his passion, his attention to every detail. It's important and very useful. Without passion nothing get done to the highest levels.

Anyone can make a film, 15 Apr 2008
This is a truly inspiring book for any aspiring film-maker. Though it is by no means a "how to" manual it nonetheless equips the reader with a sense that there really is no barrier to creating a film with next to no budget and minimal equipment. Figgis points out that ideas, ingenuity and vision are the essential tools of the film director rather than expensive equipment and a professional crew. The style of the book is conversational and full of anecdotes (some useful and illuminating others simply reminiscences) from Figgis' own film-making experiences. For me the book is most useful on lighting, on which subject Figgis gives some really practical and surprising tips, and working with actors, where his insights into the motivations and insecurities of that profession could save the novice director a lot of grief! Altogether a useful and highly readable addition to the aspiring film-makers bookshelf.

Lacking in Detail, 23 Oct 2007
Hmmm. . . This is a good book, I certainly found it inspiring and it's full of illuminating little hints. However, it's also very short and lacking in detail. Not a 'how to', more of an 'I did'.

Excellent, no-nonsense introduction, 14 Apr 2008
This is for anyone who prefers simple and straightforward explanation. It's clearly written and illustrated by someone who has enough practical experience to keep you focused on what matters. Although there's a place for the chatty 'for dummies' kind of book, it's refreshing to come across something like this which gets the job done with no fuss.

Cheap too.

Excellent stepping stone, 13 Aug 2007
This is a clear and concise book telling you everything you need to know to step up from an amateur camera operator to a good semi professional standard. If you want to become a professional, I would start here, follow Peter's guidelines and then go out and shoot.

Exellent, 20 Feb 2007
This quality book is for anyone who; wants to get a good grasp of how CG is done, wants to find an entry point into the seemingly complex world of CG. It can be read straight through, or used as a reference. There are many practical exercises, with an accompaning DVD.

One point to note, this book almost exclusively deals with SHAKE, and comes with a 30 day trial version. It is amusingly written, and richly illustrated, as usual with books from this publisher. No, the author is not a friend!!

Very informative for the amateur, 10 Nov 2008
A very good book with everything you need to know from choosing your camera, different types of video format, software for editing (though the author obviously has a preference to Apple products, not a bad thing) for Windows and Mac, how to shoot "interesting" video as in angles, zooms etc. Perspective lines are also explained. All in an easy to follow manner.

Aimed more towards the amateur videographer than the seasoned pro, this book however, has something for everyone.

Highly recommended.

Movie Maker 2, 17 Nov 2008
....Windows Movie Maker 2 comes 'free' with XP and is perhaps the easiest way to get into Video Editing.

After using it for a couple of hours and doing the ususal 'titling' - 'captions' - 'transitions' and 'endings'I thought that there MUST be a few things I don't know about - what else you can do with it....?

I purchased this book in order to find out these unknowns...

Alas - the book simply tells me in somewhat simplistic and easy to read terms what I've already learned without reading a single word from any book...
It's not a bad book - quite well written and illustrated but (in my case) totally un-needed....

If you've just brought a video-cam and want to get into making your first movie masterpiece Movie Maker 2 is great - it'll get you going - for many of you - it's all the software you'll ever need....

If you're into doing something a bit more extensive then perhaps other more expensive software might be the order of the day - it will probably be more complicated to use than Movie Maker 2 - it that case you might need a book to explain its useage fully...

In the case of Movie Maker - a book is overkill - you can learn it as you go along without checking up to see if there is another way of using your creative talents...

The book is now on my shelf gathering dust and will eventually be 'eBayed'

...do AMAZING Things - not with this book I'm afraid....




Art Of Sparth, 31 Dec 2006
Sparths work is amazing so this book should really good. I've always loved what he and the steambot guys did for digital painting and Photoshop in general.

The Ballistic publishing Concept Art title that feartured Sparth really showed off his work very well so i hope that this book does just as well.

Don't bother, 19 Oct 2008
Another book by Zeegen which is full of work by the students at Brighton university. This book will teach you nothing, it purely serves to tout the cliche images of students and names that they want to promote.

Most of Zeegen's own personal work is extremely simple for my tastes and you can find much better FREE tutorials online. If you don't want your work to be carbon copy then don't buy this book.

Loads of inspiration in a beautifully designed book , 24 Apr 2008
I bought this book yesterday, and I've already finished it today. This book is just such a pleasure to read & to look at. You get interviews with several illustrators & examples of their work, you get "workthroughs" & lots of tips. This isn't your average how-to-book, this book is designed to learn you more about the lifes of illustrators, they way they work and the way they feel about it.

The interviews give you a warm, familiar feeling & the wonderful pictures provide you with tons of inspiration.

At the back there's a list of all the illustrators included in this book, their e-mailaddress and their website which will prove handy when you're interested in more work from an artist.

A great read, but even more great inspiration. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the more 'human' side of digital illustration, but if you're looking for a book that will learn you in detail how to make digital pictures, you better move on to something else.

Very Inspiring., 15 Mar 2008
I have two of Zeegen's other books and liked them so much, that I decided to buy this one as well. Its great! Its a feast to look at visually, with lots of different illustrators' work, the layout is gorgeous also. You will learn alot about current fashions in the industry, with interviews with prolific image makers such as Jon Burgerman, Jeremyville,Mr Bingo etc. This is my new favourite book, its stunning to browse through/to dip into, to see other illustrators creative process. Buy it for inspiration alone.

At last, the book that tells you what you really want to know, 16 Sep 2008
What a great book. Concise with well thought-out chapters. Figgis writes in his own voice without self-promotion. This is really essential reading for anyone embarking on independant film making with a digital camcorder. He covers all aspects including your relationship with actors. This is not a technical how-to textbook, it's about the kind of experiences you would only get from working along side an experienced director.

Don't be without it., 16 Aug 2008
This book made me realise how easy it can be to make your own films and get involved with other peoples. It gave me the confidence to just go out and get my own first camera without panicking over whether it was 'the right one'. It has great tips for when you are working on a budget and is a great encouragement to just go out and give it a go.

It gives practical tips, interesting and inspirational advice and is a quick and easy read that can be carried around with you wherever you go. I loved it and often use it as a point of reference.

very useful book, 12 May 2008
I really liked this book. It was very personal and most useful. There are loads of books out there about how to do this and that. What I wanted was some great advice. For starters know your equipment inside out, get a book and write notes about how your settings work, try different combinations. I thought that might be obvious to some but it was inspirational to me. Another great tip was treasure your equipment. Keep it immaculate, really clean especially the lens, otherwise big blobs appear on the big screen! Its got a lot of really good points which I found most useful.

I like the fact that he talks about his work, his passion, his attention to every detail. It's important and very useful. Without passion nothing get done to the highest levels.

Anyone can make a film, 15 Apr 2008
This is a truly inspiring book for any aspiring film-maker. Though it is by no means a "how to" manual it nonetheless equips the reader with a sense that there really is no barrier to creating a film with next to no budget and minimal equipment. Figgis points out that ideas, ingenuity and vision are the essential tools of the film director rather than expensive equipment and a professional crew. The style of the book is conversational and full of anecdotes (some useful and illuminating others simply reminiscences) from Figgis' own film-making experiences. For me the book is most useful on lighting, on which subject Figgis gives some really practical and surprising tips, and working with actors, where his insights into the motivations and insecurities of that profession could save the novice director a lot of grief! Altogether a useful and highly readable addition to the aspiring film-makers bookshelf.

Lacking in Detail, 23 Oct 2007
Hmmm. . . This is a good book, I certainly found it inspiring and it's full of illuminating little hints. However, it's also very short and lacking in detail. Not a 'how to', more of an 'I did'.

Excellent, no-nonsense introduction, 14 Apr 2008
This is for anyone who prefers simple and straightforward explanation. It's clearly written and illustrated by someone who has enough practical experience to keep you focused on what matters. Although there's a place for the chatty 'for dummies' kind of book, it's refreshing to come across something like this which gets the job done with no fuss.

Cheap too.

Excellent stepping stone, 13 Aug 2007
This is a clear and concise book telling you everything you need to know to step up from an amateur camera operator to a good semi professional standard. If you want to become a professional, I would start here, follow Peter's guidelines and then go out and shoot.

Exellent, 20 Feb 2007
This quality book is for anyone who; wants to get a good grasp of how CG is done, wants to find an entry point into the seemingly complex world of CG. It can be read straight through, or used as a reference. There are many practical exercises, with an accompaning DVD.

One point to note, this book almost exclusively deals with SHAKE, and comes with a 30 day trial version. It is amusingly written, and richly illustrated, as usual with books from this publisher. No, the author is not a friend!!

Very informative for the amateur, 10 Nov 2008
A very good book with everything you need to know from choosing your camera, different types of video format, software for editing (though the author obviously has a preference to Apple products, not a bad thing) for Windows and Mac, how to shoot "interesting" video as in angles, zooms etc. Perspective lines are also explained. All in an easy to follow manner.

Aimed more towards the amateur videographer than the seasoned pro, this book however, has something for everyone.

Highly recommended.

Movie Maker 2, 17 Nov 2008
....Windows Movie Maker 2 comes 'free' with XP and is perhaps the easiest way to get into Video Editing.

After using it for a couple of hours and doing the ususal 'titling' - 'captions' - 'transitions' and 'endings'I thought that there MUST be a few things I don't know about - what else you can do with it....?

I purchased this book in order to find out these unknowns...

Alas - the book simply tells me in somewhat simplistic and easy to read terms what I've already learned without reading a single word from any book...
It's not a bad book - quite well written and illustrated but (in my case) totally un-needed....

If you've just brought a video-cam and want to get into making your first movie masterpiece Movie Maker 2 is great - it'll get you going - for many of you - it's all the software you'll ever need....

If you're into doing something a bit more extensive then perhaps other more expensive software might be the order of the day - it will probably be more complicated to use than Movie Maker 2 - it that case you might need a book to explain its useage fully...

In the case of Movie Maker - a book is overkill - you can learn it as you go along without checking up to see if there is another way of using your creative talents...

The book is now on my shelf gathering dust and will eventually be 'eBayed'

...do AMAZING Things - not with this book I'm afraid....




Art Of Sparth, 31 Dec 2006
Sparths work is amazing so this book should really good. I've always loved what he and the steambot guys did for digital painting and Photoshop in general.

The Ballistic publishing Concept Art title that feartured Sparth really showed off his work very well so i hope that this book does just as well.

Don't bother, 19 Oct 2008
Another book by Zeegen which is full of work by the students at Brighton university. This book will teach you nothing, it purely serves to tout the cliche images of students and names that they want to promote.

Most of Zeegen's own personal work is extremely simple for my tastes and you can find much better FREE tutorials online. If you don't want your work to be carbon copy then don't buy this book.

Loads of inspiration in a beautifully designed book , 24 Apr 2008
I bought this book yesterday, and I've already finished it today. This book is just such a pleasure to read & to look at. You get interviews with several illustrators & examples of their work, you get "workthroughs" & lots of tips. This isn't your average how-to-book, this book is designed to learn you more about the lifes of illustrators, they way they work and the way they feel about it.

The interviews give you a warm, familiar feeling & the wonderful pictures provide you with tons of inspiration.

At the back there's a list of all the illustrators included in this book, their e-mailaddress and their website which will prove handy when you're interested in more work from an artist.

A great read, but even more great inspiration. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the more 'human' side of digital illustration, but if you're looking for a book that will learn you in detail how to make digital pictures, you better move on to something else.

Very Inspiring., 15 Mar 2008
I have two of Zeegen's other books and liked them so much, that I decided to buy this one as well. Its great! Its a feast to look at visually, with lots of different illustrators' work, the layout is gorgeous also. You will learn alot about current fashions in the industry, with interviews with prolific image makers such as Jon Burgerman, Jeremyville,Mr Bingo etc. This is my new favourite book, its stunning to browse through/to dip into, to see other illustrators creative process. Buy it for inspiration alone.

An Outstanding Resource, For Students And Professionals Alike, 14 Dec 2007
I've worked as a freelance Editor since 2000, and after picking this book up last week, haven't been able to put it down.
In this broadcast age, when we all need to know more than a bit about every aspect of production, this book offers the reader just that.
What's just as significant, it strikes a perfect balance between the art of film-making, and the technical minutiae that is so important.
I picked this book up, expecting it to be full of half-baked, ill-informed pro-sumer DV advice. But I found it to be extremely thorough, very well informed and up-to-date.

At last, the book that tells you what you really want to know, 16 Sep 2008
What a great book. Concise with well thought-out chapters. Figgis writes in his own voice without self-promotion. This is really essential reading for anyone embarking on independant film making with a digital camcorder. He covers all aspects including your relationship with actors. This is not a technical how-to textbook, it's about the kind of experiences you would only get from working along side an experienced director.

Don't be without it., 16 Aug 2008
This book made me realise how easy it can be to make your own films and get involved with other peoples. It gave me the confidence to just go out and get my own first camera without panicking over whether it was 'the right one'. It has great tips for when you are working on a budget and is a great encouragement to just go out and give it a go.

It gives practical tips, interesting and inspirational advice and is a quick and easy read that can be carried around with you wherever you go. I loved it and often use it as a point of reference.

very useful book, 12 May 2008
I really liked this book. It was very personal and most useful. There are loads of books out there about how to do this and that. What I wanted was some great advice. For starters know your equipment inside out, get a book and write notes about how your settings work, try different combinations. I thought that might be obvious to some but it was inspirational to me. Another great tip was treasure your equipment. Keep it immaculate, really clean especially the lens, otherwise big blobs appear on the big screen! Its got a lot of really good points which I found most useful.

I like the fact that he talks about his work, his passion, his attention to every detail. It's important and very useful. Without passion nothing get done to the highest levels.

Anyone can make a film, 15 Apr 2008
This is a truly inspiring book for any aspiring film-maker. Though it is by no means a "how to" manual it nonetheless equips the reader with a sense that there really is no barrier to creating a film with next to no budget and minimal equipment. Figgis points out that ideas, ingenuity and vision are the essential tools of the film director rather than expensive equipment and a professional crew. The style of the book is conversational and full of anecdotes (some useful and illuminating others simply reminiscences) from Figgis' own film-making experiences. For me the book is most useful on lighting, on which subject Figgis gives some really practical and surprising tips, and working with actors, where his insights into the motivations and insecurities of that profession could save the novice director a lot of grief! Altogether a useful and highly readable addition to the aspiring film-makers bookshelf.

Lacking in Detail, 23 Oct 2007
Hmmm. . . This is a good book, I certainly found it inspiring and it's full of illuminating little hints. However, it's also very short and lacking in detail. Not a 'how to', more of an 'I did'.

Excellent, no-nonsense introduction, 14 Apr 2008
This is for anyone who prefers simple and straightforward explanation. It's clearly written and illustrated by someone who has enough practical experience to keep you focused on what matters. Although there's a place for the chatty 'for dummies' kind of book, it's refreshing to come across something like this which gets the job done with no fuss.

Cheap too.

Excellent stepping stone, 13 Aug 2007
This is a clear and concise book telling you everything you need to know to step up from an amateur camera operator to a good semi professional standard. If you want to become a professional, I would start here, follow Peter's guidelines and then go out and shoot.

Exellent, 20 Feb 2007
This quality book is for anyone who; wants to get a good grasp of how CG is done, wants to find an entry point into the seemingly complex world of CG. It can be read straight through, or used as a reference. There are many practical exercises, with an accompaning DVD.

One point to note, this book almost exclusively deals with SHAKE, and comes with a 30 day trial version. It is amusingly written, and richly illustrated, as usual with books from this publisher. No, the author is not a friend!!

Very informative for the amateur, 10 Nov 2008
A very good book with everything you need to know from choosing your camera, different types of video format, software for editing (though the author obviously has a preference to Apple products, not a bad thing) for Windows and Mac, how to shoot "interesting" video as in angles, zooms etc. Perspective lines are also explained. All in an easy to follow manner.

Aimed more towards the amateur videographer than the seasoned pro, this book however, has something for everyone.

Highly recommended.

Movie Maker 2, 17 Nov 2008
....Windows Movie Maker 2 comes 'free' with XP and is perhaps the easiest way to get into Video Editing.

After using it for a couple of hours and doing the ususal 'titling' - 'captions' - 'transitions' and 'endings'I thought that there MUST be a few things I don't know about - what else you can do with it....?

I purchased this book in order to find out these unknowns...

Alas - the book simply tells me in somewhat simplistic and easy to read terms what I've already learned without reading a single word from any book...
It's not a bad book - quite well written and illustrated but (in my case) totally un-needed....

If you've just brought a video-cam and want to get into making your first movie masterpiece Movie Maker 2 is great - it'll get you going - for many of you - it's all the software you'll ever need....

If you're into doing something a bit more extensive then perhaps other more expensive software might be the order of the day - it will probably be more complicated to use than Movie Maker 2 - it that case you might need a book to explain its useage fully...

In the case of Movie Maker - a book is overkill - you can learn it as you go along without checking up to see if there is another way of using your creative talents...

The book is now on my shelf gathering dust and will eventually be 'eBayed'

...do AMAZING Things - not with this book I'm afraid....




Art Of Sparth, 31 Dec 2006
Sparths work is amazing so this book should really good. I've always loved what he and the steambot guys did for digital painting and Photoshop in general.

The Ballistic publishing Concept Art title that feartured Sparth really showed off his work very well so i hope that this book does just as well.

Don't bother, 19 Oct 2008
Another book by Zeegen which is full of work by the students at Brighton university. This book will teach you nothing, it purely serves to tout the cliche images of students and names that they want to promote.

Most of Zeegen's own personal work is extremely simple for my tastes and you can find much better FREE tutorials online. If you don't want your work to be carbon copy then don't buy this book.

Loads of inspiration in a beautifully designed book , 24 Apr 2008
I bought this book yesterday, and I've already finished it today. This book is just such a pleasure to read & to look at. You get interviews with several illustrators & examples of their work, you get "workthroughs" & lots of tips. This isn't your average how-to-book, this book is designed to learn you more about the lifes of illustrators, they way they work and the way they feel about it.

The interviews give you a warm, familiar feeling & the wonderful pictures provide you with tons of inspiration.

At the back there's a list of all the illustrators included in this book, their e-mailaddress and their website which will prove handy when you're interested in more work from an artist.

A great read, but even more great inspiration. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the more 'human' side of digital illustration, but if you're looking for a book that will learn you in detail how to make digital pictures, you better move on to something else.

Very Inspiring., 15 Mar 2008
I have two of Zeegen's other books and liked them so much, that I decided to buy this one as well. Its great! Its a feast to look at visually, with lots of different illustrators' work, the layout is gorgeous also. You will learn alot about current fashions in the industry, with interviews with prolific image makers such as Jon Burgerman, Jeremyville,Mr Bingo etc. This is my new favourite book, its stunning to browse through/to dip into, to see other illustrators creative process. Buy it for inspiration alone.

An Outstanding Resource, For Students And Professionals Alike, 14 Dec 2007
I've worked as a freelance Editor since 2000, and after picking this book up last week, haven't been able to put it down.
In this broadcast age, when we all need to know more than a bit about every aspect of production, this book offers the reader just that.
What's just as significant, it strikes a perfect balance between the art of film-making, and the technical minutiae that is so important.
I picked this book up, expecting it to be full of half-baked, ill-informed pro-sumer DV advice. But I found it to be extremely thorough, very well informed and up-to-date.

IT'S FOR DUMMIES, 15 Dec 2007
A disappointing book which I didn't really find that readable or of much help to me even as a beginner. Too general.

Good Starter, 27 Dec 2003
This book is a good starter for beginers, it style is freindly and it expains the basic fundamantals to get going. For those who have just purchased a dv camera this is a must, more experienced users however, will probably not gain much.

At last, the book that tells you what you really want to know, 16 Sep 2008
What a great book. Concise with well thought-out chapters. Figgis writes in his own voice without self-promotion. This is really essential reading for anyone embarking on independant film making with a digital camcorder. He covers all aspects including your relationship with actors. This is not a technical how-to textbook, it's about the kind of experiences you would only get from working along side an experienced director.

Don't be without it., 16 Aug 2008
This book made me realise how easy it can be to make your own films and get involved with other peoples. It gave me the confidence to just go out and get my own first camera without panicking over whether it was 'the right one'. It has great tips for when you are working on a budget and is a great encouragement to just go out and give it a go.

It gives practical tips, interesting and inspirational advice and is a quick and easy read that can be carried around with you wherever you go. I loved it and often use it as a point of reference.

very useful book, 12 May 2008
I really liked this book. It was very personal and most useful. There are loads of books out there about how to do this and that. What I wanted was some great advice. For starters know your equipment inside out, get a book and write notes about how your settings work, try different combinations. I thought that might be obvious to some but it was inspirational to me. Another great tip was treasure your equipment. Keep it immaculate, really clean especially the lens, otherwise big blobs appear on the big screen! Its got a lot of really good points which I found most useful.

I like the fact that he talks about his work, his passion, his attention to every detail. It's important and very useful. Without passion nothing get done to the highest levels.

Anyone can make a film, 15 Apr 2008
This is a truly inspiring book for any aspiring film-maker. Though it is by no means a "how to" manual it nonetheless equips the reader with a sense that there really is no barrier to creating a film with next to no budget and minimal equipment. Figgis points out that ideas, ingenuity and vision are the essential tools of the film director rather than expensive equipment and a professional crew. The style of the book is conversational and full of anecdotes (some useful and illuminating others simply reminiscences) from Figgis' own film-making experiences. For me the book is most useful on lighting, on which subject Figgis gives some really practical and surprising tips, and working with actors, where his insights into the motivations and insecurities of that profession could save the novice director a lot of grief! Altogether a useful and highly readable addition to the aspiring film-makers bookshelf.

Lacking in Detail, 23 Oct 2007
Hmmm. . . This is a good book, I certainly found it inspiring and it's full of illuminating little hints. However, it's also very short and lacking in detail. Not a 'how to', more of an 'I did'.

Excellent, no-nonsense introduction, 14 Apr 2008
This is for anyone who prefers simple and straightforward explanation. It's clearly written and illustrated by someone who has enough practical experience to keep you focused on what matters. Although there's a place for the chatty 'for dummies' kind of book, it's refreshing to come across something like this which gets the job done with no fuss.

Cheap too.

Excellent stepping stone, 13 Aug 2007
This is a clear and concise book telling you everything you need to know to step up from an amateur camera operator to a good semi professional standard. If you want to become a professional, I would start here, follow Peter's guidelines and then go out and shoot.

Exellent, 20 Feb 2007
This quality book is for anyone who; wants to get a good grasp of how CG is done, wants to find an entry point into the seemingly complex world of CG. It can be read straight through, or used as a reference. There are many practical exercises, with an accompaning DVD.

One point to note, this book almost exclusively deals with SHAKE, and comes with a 30 day trial version. It is amusingly written, and richly illustrated, as usual with books from this publisher. No, the author is not a friend!!

Very informative for the amateur, 10 Nov 2008
A very good book with everything you need to know from choosing your camera, different types of video format, software for editing (though the author obviously has a preference to Apple products, not a bad thing) for Windows and Mac, how to shoot "interesting" video as in angles, zooms etc. Perspective lines are also explained. All in an easy to follow manner.

Aimed more towards the amateur videographer than the seasoned pro, this book however, has something for everyone.

Highly recommended.

Movie Maker 2, 17 Nov 2008
....Windows Movie Maker 2 comes 'free' with XP and is perhaps the easiest way to get into Video Editing.

After using it for a couple of hours and doing the ususal 'titling' - 'captions' - 'transitions' and 'endings'I thought that there MUST be a few things I don't know about - what else you can do with it....?

I purchased this book in order to find out these unknowns...

Alas - the book simply tells me in somewhat simplistic and easy to read terms what I've already learned without reading a single word from any book...
It's not a bad book - quite well written and illustrated but (in my case) totally un-needed....

If you've just brought a video-cam and want to get into making your first movie masterpiece Movie Maker 2 is great - it'll get you going - for many of you - it's all the software you'll ever need....

If you're into doing something a bit more extensive then perhaps other more expensive software might be the order of the day - it will probably be more complicated to use than Movie Maker 2 - it that case you might need a book to explain its useage fully...

In the case of Movie Maker - a book is overkill - you can learn it as you go along without checking up to see if there is another way of using your creative talents...

The book is now on my shelf gathering dust and will eventually be 'eBayed'

...do AMAZING Things - not with this book I'm afraid....




Art Of Sparth, 31 Dec 2006
Sparths work is amazing so this book should really good. I've always loved what he and the steambot guys did for digital painting and Photoshop in general.

The Ballistic publishing Concept Art title that feartured Sparth really showed off his work very well so i hope that this book does just as well.

Don't bother, 19 Oct 2008
Another book by Zeegen which is full of work by the students at Brighton university. This book will teach you nothing, it purely serves to tout the cliche images of students and names that they want to promote.

Most of Zeegen's own personal work is extremely simple for my tastes and you can find much better FREE tutorials online. If you don't want your work to be carbon copy then don't buy this book.

Loads of inspiration in a beautifully designed book , 24 Apr 2008
I bought this book yesterday, and I've already finished it today. This book is just such a pleasure to read & to look at. You get interviews with several illustrators & examples of their work, you get "workthroughs" & lots of tips. This isn't your average how-to-book, this book is designed to learn you more about the lifes of illustrators, they way they work and the way they feel about it.

The interviews give you a warm, familiar feeling & the wonderful pictures provide you with tons of inspiration.

At the back there's a list of all the illustrators included in this book, their e-mailaddress and their website which will prove handy when you're interested in more work from an artist.

A great read, but even more great inspiration. I would recommend it to anyone interested in the more 'human' side of digital illustration, but if you're looking for a book that will learn you in detail how to make digital pictures, you better move on to something else.

Very Inspiring., 15 Mar 2008
I have two of Zeegen's other books and liked them so much, that I decided to buy this one as well. Its great! Its a feast to look at visually, with lots of different illustrators'