To say that this is the most comprehensive manual I have ever read on the subject of Directing is the understatement of the century. Someone going into directing for the first time or even garnering thoughts of directing even a low budget or no budget film may not even know the magnitude of what goes on into being a director. This massive volume of information is the absolute go to book, and if it’s not being used in film schools as a text book for classes, it should be.

The authors of Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics, Michael Rabiger and Mick Hurbis- Cherrier bring both of their substantial backgrounds to bear all to the enormous benefit of the reader.

Michael Rabiger has directed or edited over 35 films, was Chair of the Film/Video Department at Columbia College Chicago, and has given workshops in many countries. He is the author of Developing Story Ideas (Focal Press), and the enormously successful Directing the Documentary (Focal Press), now in its fifth edition.

Mick Hurbis-Cherrier teaches filmmaking at Hunter College in New York City. Professionally, he has worked as a screenwriter, director, cinematographer, and editor and his films have garnered prizes at numerous festivals. He is the author of Voice & Vision: A Creative Approach to Narrative Film and DV Production, in its second edition (Focal Press).

The book covers all of the nuances of the production process; the authors bring together the wealth of information into a massively comprehensive volume. What I like most about the book is that it pulls back the curtain to many aspects of the process. Everything is here from the interpersonal and organizational skills of being a Director; it covers working with actors, and the film crew working with the script, script and character break downs, location shooting….the list is vast.

The amount of knowledge and skills a director needs is highly under rated. This book clears up the mystery and walks the reader through the vital skills and knowledge that goes into being a film Director.

If you have an earlier edition then adding the fifth edition to your library is a must. The book is bolstered with a wealth of new information and updates that make Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics (Fifth Edition) the go to book on this subject.

The book handles all of the subject matter in a clear concise manner, the new subjects to the already excellent book in its Fifth edition are:

• Virtually every chapter has been revised, updated, and re-organized for a streamlined and integrated approach.

• Expanded sections on the basics of drama, including thorough analyses of recent films

• Discussions of the director’s approach to script analysis and development

• New discussion exploring the elements of naturalistic and stylistic aesthetic approaches.

• New discussion on the narrative power of lighting and the lens - including many recent film examples for shot size, perspective, focus and exposure

• Greater emphasis on the implications of composition, mise-en-scène, continuity shooting and editing, long take shooting, point-of-view sequences, and camera handling

• Expanded discussion of collaboration between the director and principle creative crew

• Updated coverage of workflow and comparative advantages to digital or film acquisition

• New section on film production safety, set protocol and etiquette

The book is especially helpful and insightful about helping your actors work out any problems they may have with a character they are playing. Going over possible scenarios and in turn explaining some steps to help you, help your actors out of the generalized acting funk.

Directing: Film Techniques and Aesthetics (Fifth Edition) is the quintessential book on the subject of Directing. I must have for any one serious about directing, or for the actor who wants to know more about the directors side of things.

Have fun, read a book, and expand your mind and your skills.

Edwin Millheim Impulse Gamer