For the book worms out there, library enthusiasts and academic colleagues or whomever that loves to read and that feeling of turning a crisp page of a good book. I have to say that I am not much of a reader, although I do have a decent amount of books and like the idea of keeping around books I have learned from, cherish, and I think it would be really cool to have a library in my house one day. Below you will find a list of my favorite five books as female filmmaker. Most of the books that I do have so far in my collection are mostly on the topic of film and writing from school that I have kept as well others book discovered in furthering education. Fun fact: My book collection also consists of, spiritual awakening, empowering self help books, poetry, cookbooks and the only fiction I have is by Zadie Smith. Hope you enjoy and if you are interested in reading book or two find a link to where you buy the book a the end of the blog post and tell me some of you fave books in your collection!
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
A book given to me at the right time in life. A time where I could not locate my identity, after hiding behind the guise of others thoughts and attention, keeping up with favorable trends, and finding solace in substance. Not quite rock bottom, but my version of it, I needed to build myself back up and claim my identity I so vehemently developed in my youth. Like a caterpillar to a butterfly the same type of transition was happening to me from youth to adulthood and this book helped me achieve it wisely. As a creative there is no clear path to success, some just think it can only happen from being lucky or the most talented, but there is so much more to discover in your creativity. Whether it is towards a career or a rewarding hobby, The Artist’s Way gives you the ancient ways to a better more connected person through your creative craft, but in the book is mostly geared to writers/ filmmakers. Written by a Woman (the Ex-Wife to James Cameron) and coming from that perspective really adds to the nurturing tone to it. There are so many golden quotes in this book, I have a whole page of my favorite that I keep near my desk. This book is a must have for any creative cultivating a life through their work.
3 Black Chicks Review Flicks by The Diva, Bams, and Cass
A fate find floating in a $1.00 cart at a library or book sale, I’m not quite sure, but I picked what seemed to be the perfect fitting book for me. A 2002 published book that I wish I would of found sooner. Exploring the fact that there are no nationally recognized movie critics, especially ones that give a valid perspective through the lense of the African American experience. The tagline being A Film and Video Guide with Flava. This everything to me, even just looking at the title satisfies me, a true comfort to not only connect my culture with my passion as well as seeing like minded individuals that look like you and praising theses strong yet marginalized voices amplify them up themselves. The book consists of reviews of popular movies by the 3 black chicks and a whole chapter where they review just black films.
Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez
A film school must, where in fact I picked up this book as it was a required book for one of my classes. And honestly the only book that I read all the way through in most of my academic career. As well as the only resource from my higher education in the film/video media field that I could relate to and take away major career keys to consider. Though Rodriguez is not a female filmmaker, his perspective is still a disadvantage to note. The book is comprised of excerpts from Rodriguez’s journal as he logged his journey planning, producing, and getting a distribution deal for his first feature film he did all himself on a very low budget. Super inspiring, a little old school but steeped in passion for the craft which really hit home for me and reassured that I am in the right industry.
How to Read A Film by James Monaco
Okay so this one is no page turner and reads mostly like a textbook. Another required reading for a class, but this on I never really read. So you're wondering, why are you recommending this book then? I feel like there is a lot more in a book then the words the sum of the content between covers. It can be a physical representation of a path you want to walk, as the first “film book” I received after arriving to my institution. This book marked the start of the rest of my life to me,I carried it like a badge of honor, a indication that I have all the tools I need to be successful in this path. Flipping through the book you will find pages filled with in depth analysis to American film classics. No need to start from the first chapter, whatever page you land on in the book you can learn another aspect of film and the theology behind it.
The Anatomy of Story by John Truby
A book I literally stumbled upon at a thrift store that has taught me more than most of my college education had on storytelling. Actionable techniques and concepts that can be easily implemented and understood, with loads of examples to compare with. This one is still currently in my bag, as I like to keep it dear to me as a reminder of my love for storytelling and to look back at each step and type structures there are of story. Truby gives a thorough breakdown to the 22 steps of storytelling, specifically for motion picture in detail not letting one thing of story slip away. For any aspiring writer for the screen this book is a definite must!
Find these books online below:
The Artists Ways- amzn.to/2tiH8l7
3 Black Chicks Review Flicks- amzn.to/2DY607S
Rebel Without a Crew- amzn.to/2MSMVqq
How to Read Film- amzn.to/2HXVi5h
The Anatomy of Story- amzn.to/2GuMO2V
The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
A book given to me at the right time in life. A time where I could not locate my identity, after hiding behind the guise of others thoughts and attention, keeping up with favorable trends, and finding solace in substance. Not quite rock bottom, but my version of it, I needed to build myself back up and claim my identity I so vehemently developed in my youth. Like a caterpillar to a butterfly the same type of transition was happening to me from youth to adulthood and this book helped me achieve it wisely. As a creative there is no clear path to success, some just think it can only happen from being lucky or the most talented, but there is so much more to discover in your creativity. Whether it is towards a career or a rewarding hobby, The Artist’s Way gives you the ancient ways to a better more connected person through your creative craft, but in the book is mostly geared to writers/ filmmakers. Written by a Woman (the Ex-Wife to James Cameron) and coming from that perspective really adds to the nurturing tone to it. There are so many golden quotes in this book, I have a whole page of my favorite that I keep near my desk. This book is a must have for any creative cultivating a life through their work.
3 Black Chicks Review Flicks by The Diva, Bams, and Cass
A fate find floating in a $1.00 cart at a library or book sale, I’m not quite sure, but I picked what seemed to be the perfect fitting book for me. A 2002 published book that I wish I would of found sooner. Exploring the fact that there are no nationally recognized movie critics, especially ones that give a valid perspective through the lense of the African American experience. The tagline being A Film and Video Guide with Flava. This everything to me, even just looking at the title satisfies me, a true comfort to not only connect my culture with my passion as well as seeing like minded individuals that look like you and praising theses strong yet marginalized voices amplify them up themselves. The book consists of reviews of popular movies by the 3 black chicks and a whole chapter where they review just black films.
Rebel Without a Crew by Robert Rodriguez
A film school must, where in fact I picked up this book as it was a required book for one of my classes. And honestly the only book that I read all the way through in most of my academic career. As well as the only resource from my higher education in the film/video media field that I could relate to and take away major career keys to consider. Though Rodriguez is not a female filmmaker, his perspective is still a disadvantage to note. The book is comprised of excerpts from Rodriguez’s journal as he logged his journey planning, producing, and getting a distribution deal for his first feature film he did all himself on a very low budget. Super inspiring, a little old school but steeped in passion for the craft which really hit home for me and reassured that I am in the right industry.
How to Read A Film by James Monaco
Okay so this one is no page turner and reads mostly like a textbook. Another required reading for a class, but this on I never really read. So you're wondering, why are you recommending this book then? I feel like there is a lot more in a book then the words the sum of the content between covers. It can be a physical representation of a path you want to walk, as the first “film book” I received after arriving to my institution. This book marked the start of the rest of my life to me,I carried it like a badge of honor, a indication that I have all the tools I need to be successful in this path. Flipping through the book you will find pages filled with in depth analysis to American film classics. No need to start from the first chapter, whatever page you land on in the book you can learn another aspect of film and the theology behind it.
The Anatomy of Story by John Truby
A book I literally stumbled upon at a thrift store that has taught me more than most of my college education had on storytelling. Actionable techniques and concepts that can be easily implemented and understood, with loads of examples to compare with. This one is still currently in my bag, as I like to keep it dear to me as a reminder of my love for storytelling and to look back at each step and type structures there are of story. Truby gives a thorough breakdown to the 22 steps of storytelling, specifically for motion picture in detail not letting one thing of story slip away. For any aspiring writer for the screen this book is a definite must!
Find these books online below:
The Artists Ways- amzn.to/2tiH8l7
3 Black Chicks Review Flicks- amzn.to/2DY607S
Rebel Without a Crew- amzn.to/2MSMVqq
How to Read Film- amzn.to/2HXVi5h
The Anatomy of Story- amzn.to/2GuMO2V
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