Once you are done learning about appature, fstops, XLR inputs and white balance (aka the basics) two great bools are

Directing Actors by Judith Weston (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0941188248/qid=1104797692/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-9914233-2887001?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

and

The Visual Story by Bruce Block (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0240804678/qid=1104797723/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/103-9914233-2887001?v=glance&s=books&n=507846)

Check em out.

ah! thanks! i've been looking for some good ones. film books are strangely hard to browse at libraries or borders, they never seem to have many.

i have directing actors. have yet to read it though.

heres also another good one.
it was my first book i got in 7th grade. good for learning the basics. but i still use it as a guide once and a while years later

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0941188108/qid=1104806923/sr=1-8/ref=sr_1_8/102-0365548-3697711?v=glance&s=books

Directing Actors is a bit hard to read at times, but it has some great info. I plan on reading it a few times soi can get all the major points memorized.

While this thread is up, I'd like to suggest reading The 5 C's of Cinematography. Great book.

I almost bought that and now I think i will. Thanks Trespasser.

i'll have to check those out, i got a few on my list already though, so it might be some time before i can get to them. i just got rebel without a crew the other day, and i'm almost done with it. it's a pretty good book too.

titanium, you don't have film books at your borders? the one that's near me has quite a few of them, and hardly even have a film scne around here. that's weird.

I'd like to add to the list:

What They Don't Teach You At Film School

^ Absolutely awesome book that tells you that you don't always have to be orthodox and go by filmmaking traditions. Made me want to get up and start shooting right then.

The Filmmaker's Handbook

^ A great guide to everything technical whether you shoot film or video. Also, great tips on setting up a budget and getting the movie produced.

Film Directing Shot By Shot

^ A director's bible. Enough said.

And this last one isn't really anything technical, but its an interesting look at the uprise of independent films and Miramax and Sundance:

Down And Dirty Pictures

While were at it my friend just gave me a book called The ultimate filmmakers guide to short films by kim adelman, seems to be a pertty cool book for begginers.

Making Movies by Sidney Lumet