Dive into Python or Digital Filmmaking for Teens

Dive into Python

Author: Mark Pilgrim

Python is a new and innovative scripting language. It is set to replace Perl as the programming language of choice for shell scripters, and for serious application developers who want a feature-rich, yet simple language to deploy their products.

"Dive Into Python" is a hands-on guide to the Python language. Each chapter starts with a real, complete code sample, proceeds to pick it apart and explain the pieces, and then puts it all back together in a summary at the end.

This is the perfect resource for you if you like to jump into languages fast and get going right away. If you're just starting to learn Python, first pick up a copy of Magnus Lie Hetland's "Practical Python" (Apress, 2002).

 

About the Author:

Mark Pilgrim is an accessibility architect in the IBM Emerging Technologies Group. He is the author of several technical books, including Dive Into Accessibility, a free online tutorial on web accessibility. He lives in North Carolina with his wife and newborn son, and spends his copious free time sunbathing, skydiving, and reading Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason.

Practical Python

This is the perfect resource for you if you like to jump into languages fast and get going right away. If you're just starting to learn Python, first pick up a copy of Magnus Lie Hetland's.

Slashdot.org

Dive Into Python may be one of the thinnest programming language books on my shelf, but it's also one of the best. Whether you're an experienced programmer looking to get into Python or grizzled Python veteran who remembers the days when you had to import the string module, Dive Into Python is your "desert island" Python book.

Interesting textbook: Geography of Wine or Game Cookbook

Digital Filmmaking for Teens

Author: Pete Shaner

You don't have to invest a small fortune, own expensive gear, and employ an army of technicians to create a movie. Today's high-tech tools will fit in your backpack and don't require the financial backing of a major movie studio, making this the first generation in the history of moviemaking that doesn't have to beg for big bucks to put its stories on the screen. "Digital Filmmaking for Teens" emphasizes Hollywood-style moviemaking, the way the pros do it. You'll learn how to tell your story on a budget, using tips from industry veterans. Not sure where to start? No problem. You'll cover each step-from developing your idea and writing a script to planning for production, shooting, and editing. "Digital Filmmaking for Teens" includes an amazing DVD packed with advice, instructional videos, and examples.

School Library Journal

Gr 7 Up-The highlight of this guide is the DVD included in the package with which one can watch some films made by teens in a workshop in New York. One of the first pieces of advice is that the majority of filmmaking time will be spent editing. Knowing this information makes the film samples even more fascinating and the contents are given perspective, for only 2 of the 10 chapters are specifically about shooting the film. The other sections describe equipment, storyboarding, lighting, planning, editing, adding music, and releasing the film. Chapters are organized into a series of how-to instructions embedded with definitions, tips, and notes. Images and components seem contradictorily static and colorless for a catalyst for creativity; however, the instructions and suggestions are meticulously documented and easy to follow. This book is for novices and for filmmakers who wish to learn a bit more, and could serve as a superb guide for filmmaking at home or as a text for a class. Teens are the target audience, though this title will be useful to all who wish to produce their own digital movies.-Jodi Kearns, University of Akron, OH Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Table of Contents:

	Introduction	xiii
Chapter 1	What's Your Project?	1
	Don't Think Outside the Box-Blow It Open!	1
	It's All About DV	2
	The Two (or Three) Big-Ticket Items	4
	Output Hardware	8
	Other Gear	8
	Where to Borrow It	10
	You Can Start Right Now	11
Chapter 2	Pick a Story	13
	Your Three Main Choices	14
	Narrative	14
	Documentary	15
	Performance	17
	What Makes a Good Screen Story?	18
	Conflict: The Essence of Drama	20
	Thinking Visually: Avoiding the Dreaded Talking Head	20
	Emotion: The Prize at the Bottom of the Box	22
	Your Screen Story Checklist	22
	Get It in Writing	23
	Get to Know Your Camcorder	25
Chapter 3	Getting the Basics	25
	How Camcorders Work	26
	Exposure	27
	Focus	28
	Zoom	28
	Depth of Field	30
	Hands-On Camcorder Tips	30
	Special Modes for Special Circumstances	37
	LP Recording Speed	38
	Spotlight Mode	38
	Sand & Snow	38
	Digital Zoom	38
	Variable Shutter Speed	38
	Semi-Auto Modes	39
	Alternate Frame Rates and Scanning Modes	39
	Widescreen Aspect Ratio	39
	Digital Effects	40
	How to Hold Your Camcorder	40
	Where's the Light?	40
	Controlling Contrast	41
	Showing the Audience Where to Look	41
	The Principle of Three-Point Lighting	42
	Hard or Soft Light?	42
	Color Balance	43
	Lighting Tips	43
	Follow the Guerilla's Code-Improvise!	46
Tactic 1	Shoot on Overcast Days	46
Tactic 2	Move into the Shade	46
Tactic 3	Cheat the Sun	46
	Getting Good Production Sound	47
	Audio Perspective	47
	Audio Levels	53
	Noise	54
	Plan, Then Shoot	54
Chapter 4	Planning Your Movie	55
	Making Choices	56
	What Are the Basic Decisions?	57
	What Does the Story Need?	57
	Breaking Down the Script	59
	Where Can We Shoot?	61
	What Shots Do We Want?	63
	Types of Shots	64
	Your Goal-Get Coverage	70
	How Long Will It Take?	71
	How Will We Get It All?	72
	Do We Need to Rehearse?	74
Chapter 5	Shoot It!	75
	Things You Must Control	75
	Controlling Light	77
	Things to Keep in Mind on the Set: Lighting	81
	Controlling Sound	82
	Wear Headphones	83
	Watch the Mic	85
	Things to Keep in Mind on the Set: Sound	87
	Working with Actors	88
	Things to Keep in Mind on the Set: Working with Actors	91
	Getting Results from Your Crew	92
	Things to Keep in Mind on the Set: Working with Your Crew	94
	Get Your Shots: It's All About Coverage	95
	Shooting Action	97
	Tips on Getting Coverage for Documentaries and Music Videos Spike Your Actors	98
	Shooting Chases	98
	Screen Direction and Continuity	101
	Following Action with the Camera	102
	Are You Ready?	104
Chapter 6	Editing Your Show and Adding Music	105
	Basic Editing in iMovie 4	106
	Uploading DV Footage and Organizing Clips	112
	Trimming a Clip	114
	Trim as You Upload	114
	Trim Before You Insert	115
	Organizing Your Clips	116
	Assembling Your Movie by Inserting Clips into the Clip Viewer	117
	Playing Back Your Movie	118
	Switching to the Timeling Viewer	118
	Timeline Viewer Controls	119
	Making Edits in the Timeline Viewer	120
	Cropping a Clip in the Timeline Viewer	122
	Adding Transitions	124
	Extracting an Audio Clip	126
	Controlling the Audio Level of a Clip	127
	Overlapping Audio Clips	128
	Creating a Split Edit	130
	Importing Music from the iTunes Library	132
	Importing Music from Sonicfire Pro	133
	Importing Music from GarageBand	134
	Making a Documentary from Digital Stills with the Ken Burns Effect	135
	Watch the Pace	136
Chapter 7	Shooting and Editing Fights and Special Effects	139
	Be Safe Out There	139
	Selling the Punch-Staging a Convincing Fight Scene	140
	Throwing the Right Cross	140
	Four Secrets to Selling Punches on the Screen	142
	Other Types of Punches: The Jab and the Uppercut	143
	Staging a Fight as a Series of Combinations	144
	Tips for Safe Choking and Hair Pulling	144
	Striking with a Weapon	145
	Faking Injuries with Makeup	146
	Editing a Fight Scene	147
	Stunt Fighting Recap	149
	Movie Magic Debunked-Shooting and Editing Special Effects	149
	Preparing for Compositing-Shooting a Green Screen	150
	Okay, Go Ahead and Try a Dolly Counter-Zoom-If You Must!	152
Chapter 8	Polishing Your Blockbuster	155
	Polishing Your Soundtrack	156
	Cleaning and Separating Dialogue	156
	Fixing Audio Problems	158
	Replacing Dialogue	159
	Fine-Tuning Music	161
	Manufacturing Sound Effects	163
	Enhancing Imagery	164
	Adding Titles	165
	Adding Effects	168
	Correcting Color	170
	Compositing with Chroma Key	171
	Getting Feedback	173
Chapter 9	Releasing Your Extravaganza	175
	Printing to Tape	176
	Copying a DV Cassette to VHS Tape	177
	Burning a CD	179
	Creating a VCD	181
	Creating Video Files for the Internet	182
	Authoring and Burning a DVD	183
	Archiving Your Project	187
Chapter 10	Going to the Next Level	189
	Learning How the Pros Work	189
	Camera Operations	192
	Director of Photography	192
	Camera Operator	192
	First Assistant Camera Operator	192
	Second Assistant Camera Operator	193
	Dolly Grip	193
	Will You Shoot News-Style or Film-Style?	194
	Matching the Camcorder to Your Shooting Style	194
	Meet the Moviemaker's Power Tools	195
	What's Better Than DV? HDV Is Coming!	196
	Where to Get Training	197
	Going Commercial	198
	Here's Your Big Send-Off	199
	Computer Configuration	201
Appendix A	Setting Up a Computer Editing System	201
	Hard-Drive Requirements	202
	Books	205
	DVD Collections	205
	References	205
	Movies	206
	Web Sites	207
	Glossary	209
	Index	223
	How to Use the DVD	236
	DVD Table of Contents	237