Behind the Motion Picture Screen

A visual storytelling manual that moves from story idea to finished cut, covering cast and crew roles, art direction, continuity, camera and lighting. Produced with support from the Directors Guild of America.

Linda Burstyn, Pam Cunningham, Hillary Jordan, Kym Spring

An open textbook built around the working decisions a filmmaker actually faces: cinematic space, camera, light, sound, shot design and the edit. Student commentary runs alongside each chapter to show how the ideas land in practice.

Jessica Livingstone and Mischa Livingstone

A university level introduction organised by the elements of the medium: narrative, mise en scene, cinematography, editing, sound, documentary and television. A solid grounding for anyone learning to read films before making them.

Graig Uhlin

A practical guide to motion picture work outside the theatrical industry, covering newsreel reporting, industrial and educational film, advertising and amateur photoplay production. A wide view of what film was used for beyond entertainment.

Austin C. Lescarboura

A guide to producing documentary work with modest equipment, covering research, interview technique, shooting and assembly. Aimed at people who want to turn archival and academic material into film.

Darren R. Reid and Brett Sanders