The One-Stop Resource for Emerging Filmmakers
“Filmmaking in Action manages to capture every detail and nuance of the incredibly complex filmmaking process, and will remain as current as the latest blockbuster thanks to its innovative integration of online resources. This is an invaluable guide for anyone interested in a film career or simply wanting a deeper understanding of what goes into the making of what goes onto the silver screen.”
“There are so few books about how to make movies from start to finish that are both incredibly detailed yet easily digestible. Filmmaking in Action is a generous resource that can provide real guidance to film novices and professionals alike.”
“My hat is off to the authors of Filmmaking in Action. I wish I’d had a book like this back when I was a film student.”
“There are few joys in life that can equal the euphoria of making a beautiful film. Filmmaking in Action is a powerful tool to accomplish that goal.”
“Filmmaking in Action is to film textbooks what D.W. Griffith was to the movies.”
“What clearly distinguishes this book from others is its access to the experience and knowledge of accomplished filmmakers who tell the reader how it really works in the filmmaking process. This guide efficiently gets to the heart of the matter, quickly providing any new filmmaker with the insights and tools that will accelerate their own journey.”
“Filmmaking in Action richly navigates the complexity of the world behind the frame. From articulating overarching concepts to outlining the detailed nuances of the industry, the book is a comprehensive resource for individuals interested in learning the field.”
“The definitive text on how movies are made today, filled with tips from the top people in the business, and written in a style perfect for students and emerging filmmakers. If you want to learn how to make movies, this is the one book you absolutely need.”



Learn From the Experts
- Informed guidance about all areas of filmmaking
- A full spectrum of info, hints and tips
- Advice from industry pros in a series of "How-To" videos
- Clear action steps explaining how it's done
Table of Contents
- PREFACE
- Chapter 1: The Big Picture
- PART ONE: CONCEPT AND PREPARATION
- Chapter 2: Start with the Script
- Chapter 3: Directing
- Chapter 4: Conceptualization and Design
- Chapter 5: Production Planning and Management
- PART TWO: IMAGE AND SOUND
- Chapter 6: Camera Skills
- Chapter 7: Telling the Story with the Camera
- Chapter 8: Lighting Skills
- Chapter 9: Telling the Story through Lighting
- Chapter 10: Sound
- PART THREE: PRODUCTION GLUE
- Chapter 11: Editing Skills
- Chapter 12: Telling the Story through Editing
- Chapter 13: Visual Effects and Animation
- PART FOUR: FILMMAKING AND BEYOND
- Chapter 14: Marketing and Distribution
- Chapter 15: Careers in Filmmaking
- Glossary
- Index
“If you are a filmmaker, or aspire to become one, Adam Leipzig, Barry S. Weiss and Michael Goldman are the teachers you need.”
“In Filmmaking in Action, the authors take the business and creative sides of the filmmaking process and beautifully combine them. It’s a practical guide, written in a sophisticated, yet understandable way. I’m going to recommend it to all of our students.”
“The kind of textbook you’ll want to keep handy so you can refer to it again and again.”
Author of Books and Articles on Filmmaking, Success, Leadership, Creativity, Media and More
Adam Leipzig is the COO of Creative Future and Publisher and Managing Editor of the online magazine Cultural Weekly. He has previously served as CEO of Entertainment Media Partners, President of National Geographic Films and Senior Vice President at Walt Disney Pictures. Adam has supervised more than 25 films, worked with several first-time directors, and generated over $2.1 billion in box office for a diverse mix of both indie and studio films. He feeds his passion for education by teaching at Chapman University’s Dodge College of Fine & Media Arts, UCLA’s Producing Program, the UC Berkeley Haas School of Business, and as a speaker at some of the most prestigious film festivals in the world.
