Does anyone own the following books:

Filmmaking for Teens by Troy Lanier and Clay Nichols OR

Screen Teen Writers: How Young Screenwriters Can Find Success by Christina Hamlett

I'm thinking about purchasing one or the other from the WritersStore.com(they're $18.95 & $16.95 respectively) I've read some of the reviews from amazon, but I'm still curious and since I can communicate with ya'll better... What all do these books cover and which one do you recommend?

No one knows anything about these books. Guess I'll buy SAT preparation book. I already got that planned to buy, no plans needed.

Don't buy those books, especially as a teen filmmaker. All you need to do to prepare yourself is grab a camera and make films. If someone gives you a film book as a gift, great, read it, but spend that money on filmmaking. It's waaay more rewarding and practical. All the book-learnin' in the world can't compete.

The only book I would recommend is Robert Rodriguez's Rebel Without A Crew, and only because that's basically what he says. Make movies.

Do it! Now!

Tarkovsky: Sculpting in Time
Kieslowski on Kieslowski
Rebel Without a Crew

These books in conjunction with appropriate DVD reference material (Solaris, Stalker, Andrei Rublev, Nostalghia, Sacrifice, Trois Couleurs, the forthcoming Criterion release of Double Life of Veronique, the Kieslowski box set, El Mariachi, Desperato, OUATIM) will be much more valuable than any faux-structural 'story' or 'production' book. Learn yourself.

agreed. I think most young filmmakers at one time waste money on books full of feel good platitudes and tripe. put that money in a jar and get yourself a ****ty camcorder. and then use that thing til it breaks. make as many movies as you can. and then watch them again and write down what you want to do better. you will learn at a rate faster than i could ever possibly convey. the only books on filmmaking i've ever liked are "In the Blink of an Eye" and "Rebel W/O a Crew" at least for production.

There are a lot of interesting film STUDIES books however.

I sure do have crappy video camera. It's fine with light, natural is the best. It's small and light weight- Polaroid Studio 4. I got it abot 7 months ago and of course, it came with some software, ArcSoft Showbiz DVD 1.3. I play around with that sometimes.

Play more!

quote:

Originally posted by mmrempen:
Play more!

Gotcha.

I'm also in a tv broadcasting class working at city school district's television sation. Even though it focuses on news and reporting we 're still learning to use a camera(with a teleprompter), to speak clearly, be a floor director, and other things. Anyways it possible to meet others with my same interest or who are just willing to help.