How to make a movie in 10 easy lessons

Geared toward newbies, this Super Skills series title provides a lively introduction to filmmaking's components and processes, from forming initial ideas to shooting a movie, to editing, promoting, and screening it. Despite the title's broad 10 Easy Lessons assertion, this contains abundant subtopics: for example, Find Inspiration also addresses selecting settings and props as well as identifying personal goals for the project. Other chapters include Lighting and Sound, Camera Work, and Be a Confident Director, to name a few. Colorful, somewhat generic, cartoonish illustrations add visual interest and provide easy-to-understand examples, such as storyboards, script format, and shot types (panning, over-the-shoulder, close-up); however, the many sidebars and tips can distract. Informal prose incorporates author suggestions and useful DIY ideas, such as how to make a smartphone stabilizer, but specific cost considerations and copyright issues aren't discussed. Though not every kid will have access to referenced equipment or software, overall, aspiring young filmmakers will find this engaging and informative in their endeavors. Glossary and index appended.--Rosenfeld, Shelle Copyright 2015 Booklist

Budding filmmakers are given a crash course in the cinematic arts. This informative text walks young directors through all three phases of production. The title may claim 10 easy lessons, but there's a lot more than that covered here. Blofield shines a light on camera movements, editing techniques, storyboard development, and several other filmmaking steps that might trip up first-time moviemakers. He gets close to going a bit overboard at times (few children will try to stick to a budget, and it's hard to imagine many kids engaging in the film-vs.-digital debate), but for the most part each portion of the filmmaking process is detailed in concise segments easily understood by young cineastes. The presentation is smartly aided by well-placed illustrations, reducing the risk of information overload. The emphasis here is on narrative shorts, so the odd child interested in formalist exercises may not be totally satisfied. The book isn't afraid to discuss the commercial nature of film either, including a section designed to help first timers get their projects seen by as many eyeballs as possible. A glossary and index at the book's conclusion paired with the spiral binding make this an easy tagalong on set, along with clipboards and shot lists. Companion title How to Play Guitar in 10 Easy Lessons, by Dan Holton, employs a similar format for young musicians. An excellent, informative tool for any kid interested in becoming the next Scorsese. (Nonfiction. 10-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.