The 20 Best Filmmaking Books

If you're looking for the best filmmaking books to buy online, look no further than this compiled list. We've gathered together a selection of books that are sure to please, whether you're looking.

So what are you waiting for? Start browsing and find your next great read today!

Our Favorite filmmaking books:

Bestseller No. 1

What You Don't Learn in Film School: A Complete Guide to (Independent) Filmmaking

  • Audible Audiobook
  • Shane Stanley (Author) - Ted Jonas (Narrator)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 02/17/2021 (Publication Date) - IFH Books (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 2

The Basics of Filmmaking: Screenwriting, Producing, Directing, Cinematography, Audio, & Editing

  • Brown, Blain (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 194 Pages - 04/28/2020 (Publication Date) - Routledge (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 3

The Filmmaker's Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide for the Digital Age: Fifth Edition

  • Steven Ascher (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 896 Pages - 11/27/2012 (Publication Date) - Plume (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 4

Anatomy of Film Perfection: Over 400 Lessons From Movies Around Screenwriting and Filmmaking

  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Mentos, Filip (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 368 Pages - 03/10/2023 (Publication Date)
SaleBestseller No. 5

Filmmaking For Dummies

  • Stoller, Bryan Michael (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 448 Pages - 11/26/2019 (Publication Date) - For Dummies (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 6

Rebel without a Crew: Or How a 23-Year-Old Filmmaker With $7,000 Became a Hollywood Player

  • Rodriguez, Robert (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 285 Pages - 09/01/1996 (Publication Date) - Plume (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 7

The Digital Filmmaking Handbook, Sixth Edition: Digital version (The Digital Filmmaking Handbook Presents)

  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Schenk, Sonja (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 880 Pages - 08/21/2017 (Publication Date) - Foreing Films Publishing (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 8

On Film-making: An Introduction to the Craft of the Director

  • Mackendrick, Alexander (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 336 Pages - 08/31/2005 (Publication Date) - Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 9

The Director's Six Senses: An Innovative Approach to Developing Your Filmmaking Skills

  • Bartesaghi, Simone (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 144 Pages - 03/01/2016 (Publication Date) - Michael Wiese Productions (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 10

Cinematography: Theory and Practice: For Cinematographers and Directors

  • Brown, Blain (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 510 Pages - 09/28/2021 (Publication Date) - Routledge (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 11

A Filmmaking Mindset: The New Path of Today’s Filmmaker

  • Schwarze, Kelly (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 169 Pages - 07/10/2020 (Publication Date) - Indie Film Factory, LLC (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 12

Cheap Movie Tricks: How To Shoot A Short Film For Under $2,000 (Filmmaker gift)

  • Bird, Rickey (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 288 Pages - 05/23/2017 (Publication Date) - Mango (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 13

The Smartphone Filmmaking Handbook: Revealing the secrets of smartphone movie making

  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Sheppard, Neil Philip (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 265 Pages - 04/05/2019 (Publication Date)
Bestseller No. 14

Documentary Filmmaking Master Class: Tell Your Story from Concept to Distribution

  • Chasse, Betsy (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 216 Pages - 11/19/2019 (Publication Date) - Allworth Press (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 15

Fake Love Letters, Forged Telegrams, and Prison Escape Maps: Designing Graphic Props for Filmmaking

  • Atkins, Annie (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 208 Pages - 02/26/2020 (Publication Date) - Phaidon Press (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 16

Fast, Cheap & Under Control: Lessons Learned From the Greatest Low-Budget Movies of All Time (Fast, Cheap Filmmaking Books Book 1)

  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Gaspard, John (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 382 Pages - 07/29/2013 (Publication Date) - Albert's Bridge Books (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 17

Stop Motion Filmmaking: The Complete Guide to Fabrication and Animation (Required Reading Range)

  • Walsh, Christopher (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 400 Pages - 02/21/2019 (Publication Date) - Bloomsbury Academic (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 18

Film Directing: Shot by Shot - 25th Anniversary Edition: Visualizing from Concept to Screen

  • Katz, Steve D. (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 400 Pages - 04/29/2019 (Publication Date) - Michael Wiese Productions (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 19

An Illustrated History of Filmmaking

  • Hardcover Book
  • Allsuch Boardman, Adam (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 88 Pages - 10/09/2018 (Publication Date) - Nobrow (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 20

Movies Without Baggage: A Guide to Ultra-Low-Budget Filmmaking

  • Silver, Alain (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 316 Pages - 02/01/2022 (Publication Date) - Silman-James Pr (Publisher)

When it comes to buying filmmaking books, there are a few things you need to keep in mind in order to get the best possible deal. The first thing you need to do is set a budget for yourself. Decide how much money you are willing to spend on a book before you start shopping. This will help you narrow down your choices and make sure you don't overspend. Keep in mind that many stores offer discounts for purchasing multiple books at once. So, if you're looking to buy more than one book, it's definitely worth checking the store’s discount policy.

Another option to get the best deal on filmmaking books is to wait for sales. Major retailers will often have sales on popular titles a few times per year. By waiting for a sale, you can usually get a book at a significantly lower price than the regular retail price.

Finally, it is important to think about where you will be reading the book. If you plan on reading the book primarily at home, then it does not make sense to spend a lot of money on a hardcover edition. However, if you plan on traveling with the book or taking it to the beach, then spending a bit more money on a durable edition makes sense.

Here are a few tips to help you buy the best filmmaking books:

  1. Look for well-reviewed filmmaking books. Checking out what other readers have said about a book can give you a good idea of whether it's worth your time. You can find reviews online or in newspapers and magazines.
  2. Consider the author's reputation. If you're familiar with an author's other work and liked it, there's a good chance you'll enjoy their new book.
  3. Think about what you want to get out of the book. If you're looking for a light read, something funny, or a book that will make you think, you can narrow down your options by looking for books that fit those descriptions.
  4. Check the price. Sometimes, you can find great deals on new filmmaking books. But be careful of cheaply made books, they might not be worth your money.
  5. Take a look at the return policy. Some online stores will not accept returns on certain items, so it's important to know what the policy is before buying anything.
  6. Ask for recommendations. Talk to your friends, family, and fellow book lovers to see if they have any suggestions.

By doing all of these things, you can be sure that you're getting the best possible deal on filmmaking books when you shop online.