The Portable Film School Everything You'd Learn in Film School (Without Ever Going to Class)

by Gilles, D. B.

• ISBN13: 9780312347383
• ISBN10: 0312347383
• eBook ISBN(s): 9781466833906
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-10-01
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
• More Book Details
• Purchase Benefits

Summary

The Portable Film Schoolis a private tutorial from an instructor at one of the nation's most prestigious film schools. D.B. Gilles explains the fundamental skills and techniques of screenwriting and making a short film arming you with the two calling cards you'll need to break into Hollywood - without having spent the tuition or a minute in a classroom. D.B. Gilles, author ofThe Screenwriter Within, has taught in the undergraduate film and television department at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts for fifteen years. He has also taught in NYU's Department of Dramatic Writing and in the graduate film department at Columbia University. Many of his former students have been finalists in screenwriting contests, sold scripts and directed films. He has written for the stage, screen, and TV and is a member of the Writers Guild of America. In this guidebook for the aspiring screenwriter and filmmaker, Gilles, an instructor at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts for many years and author ofThe Screenwriter Within, directs students through the fundamental basics of screenwriting and shooting a short film, arming them with the necessary tools needed to break into a highly competitve industry. The Portable Film School's chapters are divided into different sections--Curriculum, Storytelling, Filmmaking, Dialogue and Characterization, Screenwriting, and How to Be a Well-Rounded Writer, Director, and All-round Film Buff--with resources and an index at the end of the book. "The Portable Film Schoolshould be mandatory reading not just for those unable to go to film school, but for anyone thinking about it or even currently attending it."--David Benullo, former student and co-writer of the screenplay forAround The World In 80 Days "The Portable Film Schoolshould be mandatory reading not just for those unable to go to film school, but for anyone thinking about it or even currently attending it."--David Benullo, former student and co-writer of the screenplay forAround The World In 80 Days "Just when you think there aren't any more books to write about filmmaking, here comes D.B. Gilles'The Portable Film School: a wonderful on-paper process that shows you how to write screenplays and make both short and long films."--Lew Hunter, screenwriter, author ofLew Hunter's Screenwriting 434 "Will completely de-mystify the process of making a movie. Everything you need to know is here; you'll only have to supply the guts and a good story."--Chris Vogler, author ofThe Writer's Journey: Mythic Structure for Writers "A crash course in a film school education.The Portable Film Schoolis rated 'R' for required reading."--Sheldon Woodbury, author ofCool Million: How to Become A Million-Dollar Screenwriter "An excellent starter set for the fledgling filmmaker."--David McKenna, professor at Columbia University, Film Division "Not only isThe Portable Film Schoolloaded with pertinent and valuable information told in an easy to absorb style but also it's truly enjoyable and fun to be in his 'class.' This instructor deserves high marks himself!"--Rick Rosenberg, Emmy and Peabody Award -Winning Producer.

Author Biography

D.B. Gilles, author of The Screenwriter Within, has taught in the Undergraduate Film & Television Department at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts for fifteen years. He has also taught in NYU’s Department of Dramatic Writing and in the Graduate Film Department at Columbia University. Many of his former students have been finalists in screenwriting contests, gotten deals, sold scripts and directed films. He has written for the stage, screen and TV and is a member of the Writers Guild of America.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	xiii
Part I: Curriculum
Orientation: When Film School Isn't an Option	3	(2)
Colloquium: Why All Screenwriters Are Directors	5	(8)
Part II: Storytelling
First Get the Story, Then Worry About How to Tell It	13	(4)
Don't Be Intimidated by Rules--Embrace Them	17	(4)
Some of Your Best Ideas Will Come from Other People	21	(3)
Four Short Writing Exercises That You Might Think Are Stupid and a Waste of Time but Aren't (Trust Me)	24	(9)
Writing the Short Screenplay: Don't Run a Marathon Before You Do Wind Sprints	33	(5)
How to Rewrite Your Short Screenplay (Despite the Fact That You Think It's Perfect)	38	(9)
Colloquium: Making Your Short Screenplay: The Fear Before the Knowledge	41	(6)
Part III: Filmmaking
Stuff You Need to Know About Making Your Screenplay, Whether It's 8 pages or 108 Pages	47	(5)
Directing the Actor	52	(5)
Filmmaking Pitfalls	57	(10)
Lights! Camera! Action! Editing!	67	(18)
Colloquium: When You're Ready to Shoot on Film	73	(12)
Part IV: Dialogue and Characterization
You Talk Too Much. Get Some Boundaries. And Who Are You, Really? I Mean, Really?	85	(12)
Colloquium: Before Jack Was Jack: The Lesson of Five Easy Pieces	90	(7)
Part V: Screenwriting
On to the Full-Length Screenplay	97	(58)
Colloquium: The Well-Made Screenplay	149	(6)
To Make a Long Story Short	155	(8)
Why Less Is More Isn't Always True	163	(7)
Colloquium: The Conscious Mind Is the Last to Know	166	(4)
The Screenplay That Wouldn't End	170	(4)
Finding Your Voice: Comedy	174	(4)
Finding Your Voice: Drama	178	(4)
Are You Cheap or Deep?	182	(5)
Diving Headfirst into Your Full-Length Screenplay	187	(8)
Part VI: How to Be a Well-Rounded Writer, Director, and All-round Film Buff
Create Your Own Cinema Studies Department	195	(4)
The Importance of a Good Read	199	(3)
More Stuff You Should Know About Writing	202	(22)
Colloquium: How to Avoid Getting Screwed in Hollywood	212	(12)
Stuff to Mull Over (During Writer's Block and Other Dry Periods)	224	(8)
Avoid People Without a Plan	232	(3)
It's Not Who You Know; It's Who You Get to Know	235	(8)
Last Class: A Final Exam of Sorts	240	(3)
Resources	243	(4)
Index	247	(6)
About the Author	253