A colorful book cover with illustrations of cartoon people and animals making a film

Action!: Professor Know It All's Guide to Film and Video

by Bill Brown Author

A magical tour of filmmaking fundamentals for creators of all ages and experience levels

Make your own movies, music videos, documentaries, vlogs, and more with this approachable, illustrated DIY guide. This revised edition with a new introduction provides all the essential information a budding filmmaker needs, without bogging you down in jargon or elitist obstacles. With Professor Know-It-All as your lively and inviting guide, you'll learn why movies move us, how film and video cameras work, how to light and expose shots, how to create eye-catching compositions, how to record crystal-clear sound, and more. Designed for video artists, journalists, content creators, or anyone inspired to pick up a camera (including the one on your phone!), the Professor and his helpful cast of companions give you all the technical knowledge you need to bring your brightest ideas to life—and to the screen.

  • Action!: Professor Know It All's Guide to Film and Video image #1
  • Action!: Professor Know It All's Guide to Film and Video image #2

Comments & Reviews

5/21/2013

"For anyone tired of taking all the wrong shots or just trying to figure things out, this is a great learner’s permit."

Jamais Jochim - The Portland Book Review
http://portlandbookreview.com/action-professor-know-it-alls-illustrated-guide-to-film-video-making/

10/11/2012

"Who needs film school when there's a manual simultaneously erudite and approachable, leavened with wit and charm aplenty; a wealth of practical knowledge presented in a concise manner without unnecessary academic obfuscation."

-Brent Coughenour, professor of film and video, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

10/11/2012

"Brown brings the ease and warmth of his movie narration and Dream Whip writings and drawings to the nuts and bolts of working with movie film [...] Bill acts as your generous guide and fellow traveler, keeping things straight forward and practical."

-Thomas Comerford, professor of film, School of the Art Institute of Chicago

10/11/2012

"No one else makes aspect ratios and depth of field more fun to learn. [...] Many of my students read it cover-to-cover even when I only assign one chapter!"

-Sabine Gruffat, professor, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill