First Time Director. Gil Bettman
“For the first time director, this book offers ideas and techniques in clear and concise language and illustrations. But of even greater importance, it is a survival guide for working with producers, technicians, and actors in the usual atmosphere of tension and chaos. This valuable book by an experienced director demystifies filmmaking.”
— Irvin Kershner, Director, Star Wars: Episode V-The Empire Strikes Back, Never Say Never Again, Robocop II, The Return of a Man Called Horse
“Gil Bettman has brilliantly written a terrific insider's introduction to the filmmaking process. All the terrific tricks and techniques that make modern movies special are excitingly explained, Young filmmakers can put Gil's ideas to work right away.”
— John Badham, Director, The Shield (TV), Saturday Night Fever, War Games, Blue Thunder, Stakeout, Short Circuit, Bird on a Wire, Point of No Return, Drop Zone
“For the aspiring breakthrough director, Gil's book deftly steers you around the frequent and cavernous pitfalls of professional filmmaking. Filled with experiences and examples from contemporary models, his advice is invaluable for the practical artist. If you're just starting out or even an experienced filmmaker, you need this book!”
— Donald Petrie, Director, How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Miss Congeniality, Grumpy Old Men, Mystic Pizza
“Aspiring directors owe Gil Bettman a debt of thanks. Mr. Bettman has spared nothing in pursuit of his goal: grooming the first timer so thoroughly that he or she can actually live their movie before they shoot it. The book is stuffed with hardcore practicality, from rude awakenings (your first film will be under-budgeted) to Bettman's take on cinematography (move the camera a lot if you want to have any credibility in low budget features or series television).”
— Thomas Ackerman, ASC, Cinematographer, Snow Dogs, Rat Race, The Muse, Beetlejuice, George of the Jungle, Dennis the Menace
“Gil Bettman has written the most detailed and informative guide to directing that I've seen, and the only one that effectively tackles the problem of script development. For the aspiring director, First Time Director is a wonderful roadmap, for the experienced director, an invaluable refresher course.”
— David S. Ward, Academy Award-Winning Screenwriter, The Sting; Academy Award-Nominated Screenwriter, Sleepless in Seattle; Screenwriter, The Mask of Zorro, Major League, The Milagro Beanfield War; Director: Down Periscope, Major League I & II, The Program, King Ralph, Cannery Row
“This book is a must-have for all down-and-dirty guerrilla filmmakers.
— Penelope Spheeris, Director, The Crooked E: The Unshredded Truth About Enron (TV), Wayne's World, The Little Rascals, The Beverly Hillbillies, Black Sheep, The Decline of Western Civilization, Parts I, II & III
“With wit, insight, and three decades of experience in the motion picture and television industry, Professor Gil Bettman is giving back. His textbook, First Time Director, is invaluable for the aspiring director. Aside from covering the technical issues in depth, Bettman stresses knowing and trusting oneself, probably the most important issue a director must learn. In my career as an editor, I always gravitated toward directors who were secure enough with their own creativity to allow them to interact and collaborate with others. Gil Bettman knows this, he knows himself, and he has written a terrific book.”
— Robert C. Jones, Academy Award-Winning Screenwriter, Coming Home; Editor, Crazy in Alabama, Bulworth, Heaven Can Wait, Bound for Glory, Shampoo, The Last Detail, Love Story, Ship of Fools, Guess Who's Coming to Dinner
“If you can get Dad to give you a budget of $30,000, the only other thing you need is this book and you're ready to make your breakthrough movie.”
— Leonard Schrader, Academy Award-Nominated Screenwriter, Kiss of the Spider Woman; Screenwriter, The Yakuza, Blue Collar
“First Time Director is an extremely pragmatic and useful guide that all aspiring filmmakers should read. Gil Bettman offers clever solutions to common directorial problems, among them, improving weak performances.”
— Delia Salvi, Professor, UCLA School of Film, Television and Theater; Author, Fiendly Enemies: Maximizing the Director—Actor Relationship; Professional Actor, Director, and Coach
“Bettman's book is packed with information from cover to cover, no fat or easy fillers, very little anecdotes — just solid points of reference about the craft and art of directing. It takes the director firmly by the hand and guides him or her through the minefield of potential disasters. It makes no promises of enduring success, but it certainly lightens the deep shadows in what can often appear a vale of tears. In short, the book is the rocket engine that can help launch the career of any aspiring director. Of the endless books analyzing films already made, this is one of the precious few that deal with the reality of directing. This is the ‘survival guide' for directors, a textbook which should be required reading for every film student.”
— Dick Ross, formerly Co-Chair, Graduate Film Department, Columbia University in the City of New York; Chairman, Graduate Film Department, New York University; Deputy Director, National Film and TV School, Beaconsfield, U.K.
MICHAEL WIESE PRODUCTIONS
We are delighted that you have found, and are enjoying, our books.
Since 1981, we've been all about providing filmmakers with the very best information on the craft of filmmaking: from screenwriting to funding, from directing to camera, acting, editing, distribution, and new media.
It is our goal to inspire and empower a generation (or two) of film and videomakers like yourself. But we want to go beyond providing you with just the basics. We want to shake you and inspire you to reach for your dreams and go beyond what's been done before. Most films that come out each year waste our time and enslave our imaginations. We want to give you the confidence to create from your authentic center, to bring something from your own experience that will truly inspire others and bring humanity to its full potential — avoiding those urges to manufacture derivative work in order to be accepted.
Movies, television, the Internet, and new media all have incredible power to transform. As you prepare your next project, know that it is in your hands to choose to create something magnificent and enduring for generations to come.
This is not an impossible goal because you've got a little help. Our authors are some of the most creative mentors in the business, willing to share their hard-earned insights with you. Their books will point you in the right direction but, ultimately, it's up to you to seek that authentic something on which to spend your precious time.
We applaud your efforts and are here to support you. Let us hear from you.
Sincerely,
Michael Wiese
Filmmaker, Publisher
first time director:
how to make your breakthrough movie
gil bettman
Published by Michael Wiese Productions
11288 Ventura Blvd, Suite 621
Studio City CA 91604
Tel. (818) 379-8799
Fax (818) 986-3408
Cover Design: agdesign.com Cover Photography: Ryan Ngyuen Layout: Gina Mansfield Editor: Brett Jay Markel
Printed by McNaughton & Gunn, Inc., Saline, Michigan
Manufactured in the United States of America
© 2003 Gil Bettman
The author