In Short: A Guide to Short Filmmaking in the Digital Age

Book Description

The first films were shorts. Most leading filmmakers made shorts, including Chaplin, Keaton, Orson Welles, Stanley Kubrick, Lindsay Anderson, and--more recently--Lynne Ramsey and Damian O' Donnell. Though a standard and much-loved part of the cinemagoing experience for decades, short films are now rarely seen, even though more are made than ever. Hundreds of student films are made annually and television stations use shorts as fillers. Dotcom companies fight to secure rights and short film festivals take place all over the world. There is even the beginning of a comeback for the cinema short.
This book traces the history of the short film and its current role. Focusing on short-film producers and directors, it looks at the short film as a training opportunity for new talent. It covers issues of distribution, funding (including the lottery boom), exhibition, festivals, training, and publications.

Book Description

In his latest book, fairy tales expert Jack Zipes takes on the question of why some fairy tales "work" and others don't, why the fairy tale is uniquely capable of getting under the skin of culture and staying there. Why, in other words, fairy tales "stick." Long an advocate of the fairy tale as a serious genre with wide social and cultural ramifications, Jack Zipes here makes his strongest case for the idea of the fairy tale not just as a collection of stories for children but a profoundly important genre.

Why Fairy Tales Stick introduces new critical approaches to the study of classical fairy tales such as "Cinderella," "Snow White, "Beauty and the Beast," and "Hansel and Gretel" in an effort to understand how and why fairy tales have evolved over the last three hundred years and remained so relevant in our lives. Why culture has favored certain fairy tales may not be simply a question of ideology-tales reinforcing a societal status quo-but also deeply related to issues of genetics, memetics, linguistics, and evolution. Just as we as a species have evolved, Zipes argues, so has the oral folk tale been transformed as literary fairy tale to assist us in surviving and adapting to our environment.

Customer Reviews:

Despite a noble effort the why is still unanswered.......2006-12-05

Why fairy tales stick is a fascinating question that -- properly probed -- explains much about human cognition.

Unfortunately, and this is despite his vast volume of work in the studying fairy tales themselves, Zipes largely fails in his mission because of his unwillingness to access other areas of study to unlock the fairy mystery.

It turns out that science and evolutionary psychology have been brought to bear in helping solve this problem. And what they tell is is that there are many contributing factors to why fairy tales stick with people and why they tend to mythically ideate.

One factor is superstition. By reading the works of Stuart Vyse, one can find that superstition is invoked where logical explanations are wanting. For example, at the betting table most people tend to make various pleas to lady luck or their favorite diety.

Another factor sort of follows naturally from the first. Once a superstition has been personified it becomes an easy step to attribute to that superstition a "theory of mind." In other words, just as we speculate on the motives of those we know, we attribute motives to our illusionary personified force and act in ways to placate those motives.

According to Pascal Boyer, who has studied why people religiously ideate, a religious component can be added when our personified force is attributed omniscience and omnipotence.

Or alternatively, if dinuted of omniscience or omnipotence, our personified force can merely be something unique...like a cat that can turn invisible or a person who survives death. In each case, the characters are memorable because they defy our usual expectations of cat and human behavior.

To the extent that fairy tales often involve these characters we have a partial explanation for why they "stick."

However, they are also memorable for the situations they create. Like watching a good movie can take one to another place and time and tease out expectations of human relations, they same occurs in fairy tales. Far from being a mere diversion these case studies give us the vital opportunity to imagine what would happen if we were to be in the same situation. In other words, we do not need to actually go there to know what being there is like.

But honestly, the story is still being filled in and thanks to psychologists like Steven Pinker and V.S. Ramashandran we are still learning much about the fascinating ways our minds cognate and why not only fairy tales but other things stick as well.

So in short, you can read this book but your time would probably be better spent reading the other authors mentioned in this review.

Book Description

All the Secrets, Puzzle Solutions, Hidden Weapons, and Strategies for Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider II IN ONE GUIDE!

Customer Reviews:

This is a good book........2000-04-09

I think this is a good book. I read through it and there is only one place where I needed help. Other than that, I would recommend this book to who ever wants to get through the game with a high score.

Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider II: Flip Book.......2000-02-29

This is one of those publications with two books stuck together--one book goes to the half way point, flip it over and you've got another book. If you're a Lara fan, you'll like the paper doll pages in the middle. Even if you couldn't care less about the doll part of it, there are still some good graphics of the game's heroine. Both Tomb Raider and Tomb Raider II are great games, but you really need a guide if you don't want to miss anything. This is a good one. The walk-throughs are composed of color screen shots and a description of what to do at that point. They didn't leave anything out that I could see. For the Tomb Raider 1 half...if you prefer a guide that doesn't tell you every little detail, get Tomb Raider Game Secrets by Nick Roberts. I got both books and don't regret it. I used Roberts when stuck, but went to Ward when a little more help was needed. Roberts includes info about the game's background (a nice interview with the programmers), but his walk-through is not quite as detailed as Ward's. Ward provides fewer frills outside of the walk-through.

"Great strategy guide"ÿ.......1999-12-29

For those of you who have played the games I & II you may miss a few things without this guide. Some may think it is cheating but I think it just teaches you to be more observant. I highly recommend this book for anyone who enjoys this game. I know I do.

Tomb Raider and TR2 Flip Book.......1999-12-26

Excellent walk-thru. It is difficult to keep the book opened without laying something on top of it to hold it open. I loved the book, but am now missing several pages, due to my poor treatment of it. :0)

it's the best walkthrough for both Tomb raiders' 1&2.......1999-08-02

it's the best!!??!

Tomb Raider II: The Official Strategy Guide (Secrets of the Games Series.)

Average customer rating:

Kim Wards official strategy guide(Tomb Raider 2)
LONG LIVE LARA CROFT!!!
ghdh
This Calendar is gimee tomb raider product.
Croft. Lara Croft.

Tomb Raider II: The Official Strategy Guide (Secrets of the Games Series.)
Kip Ward
Manufacturer: Prima Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0761511067
Release Date: 1997-10-28

Amazon.com

In the sequel to the surprise action-game hit, Tomb Raider, Lara Croft returns to uncover ancient secrets and take home forbidden booty. This time around, Croft--part Indiana Jones and part Pamela Anderson--is after the mythical Dagger of Xian. Of course, she's not the only one, so you'll have to contend with more diabolical villains and a bevy of new weapons, death-defying levels, and perilous traps. To help you make it through alive, Tomb Raider II: The Official Strategy Guide delivers an excellent overview of the game and its secrets. In addition to puzzle clues, descriptions of the baddies Lara encounters, and complete walk-throughs of each level of Tomb Raider II, there are plenty of screen shots and, naturally, pictures of Lara, who has been enhanced considerably for the sequel--in pixels and polygons that is. This guide covers PC and PlayStation versions of the game.

Book Description

Last year's most wanted digital chick is back, and she's packing serious heat. Follow the sexy and powerful Lara Croft through new tomb and outdoor environments. But don't stay up too late racking your brain to solve the new, more challenging puzzles. Get Tomb Raider II Official Game Secrets and cruise your way through Lara's world.Inside you'll get:
Complete game walkthoughs Locations of ALL keys and puzzle pieces Movement parameters Weapon Upgrades A complete monster list All secret places revealed!If you liked Tomb Raider, you'll love Tomb Raider II--and you'll need Tomb Raider II Official Game Secrets to make it though!
About the Author

Kip Ward is the co-author of Rebel Moon Rising: The Official Strategy Guide, King's Field: Unauthorized Game Secrets, 9: The Official Strategy Guide, Quake Strategy Guide: Unauthorized, and other Prima game books.

Customer Reviews:

Kim Wards official strategy guide(Tomb Raider 2).......2001-04-16

Very good, assuming the reader is already familiar with the jargon and general feel for the game.Not deserving critiscism however as people tend to expect too much from such guides.After all,a "guide" is just that.The old grey matter needs some exercise for games such as the Tomb Raider series.Thanks to Kim, a lot of people will still get that rush of achievment,a hell of a lot faster.

LONG LIVE LARA CROFT!!!.......1999-04-04

If you like Tomb Raider II you'll love this strategy guide. It has solutions for all the puzzles,bosses,traps,how to find every one of the keys,not to mention sure-fire ways to defeat every level,and tons of pictures of Lara and all the levels.

ghdh.......1999-02-23

ccbvxcbvxbv

This Calendar is gimee tomb raider product........1999-02-20

No Tomb Raider Fan would want to miss this product!!!!!! Buy it toda

Croft. Lara Croft........1999-02-15

Tomb Raider II is one of the best games on earth, and this guide is the key to beating the game. Lots of pictures and tips for getting the most out of the game from a guy who knows what he's talking about. Worth every penny for Lara's coolest adventure!

Tomb Raider II Gold: Prima's Official Strategy Guide

Average customer rating:

the best cause its the only one!
Tomb Raider II Gold: Prima's Official Strategy Guide
Good Walkthru

Tomb Raider II Gold: Prima's Official Strategy Guide
Kip Ward
Manufacturer: Prima Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0761522719
Release Date: 1999-06-23

Book Description

Complete walkthrough for Tomb Raider II
Plus: Walkthroughs for all new Gold levels
Every secret uncovered
All hidden weapons revealed
Solutions for every puzzle

Customer Reviews:

the best cause its the only one!.......2001-10-01

no really its got great walk throughs for the gold levels but i wouldnt use this guide on the regular levels of TR II.

Tomb Raider II Gold: Prima's Official Strategy Guide.......2000-02-29

If you are playing Tomb Raider, you almost *have* to use a guide...this one is very good. It's not perfect--there are a couple of places where the recommended action doesn't work (you just have to experiment). Also there are some pick-ups that they forgot to mention, but those were relatively easy to find. This guide is exactly the same as Tomb Raider II: Prima's Official Stategy Guide, but with the addition of the gold levels (of course). Eventhough each walk-through comment includes a color screen shot, sometimes it's hard to recognize exactly where it is--it may depend on exactly how you're facing. I didn't find that to be a major problem. I liked the extra tips and comments outside of the actual walk-through. There are no comments in the book about the training level (Lara's home). That "level" has a couple of spots that could have used a comment or two. Despite the minor shortcomings, if you have Tomb Raider II Gold, you'd be hard pressed to find a better guide.

Good Walkthru.......1999-09-06

This book will help you through the rough spots of the game, if you ever get stuck. It is not to be used to finish the game without playing it through at least once. If you did, it would not be any fun.

Tomb Raider II & III Flip Book (Prima's Official Strategy Guide)

Average customer rating:

Tomb Raider II & III Flip Book (Prima's Official Strategy Guide)
Kip Ward
Manufacturer: Prima Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 076152858X
Release Date: 2000-04-24

Book Description

All the secrets, puzzle solutions, hidden weapons, and strategies for Tomb Raider II and Tomb Raider III in one guide!

TOMB RAIDER II - THE OFFICIAL STRATEGY GUIDE

Average customer rating:

TOMB RAIDER II - THE OFFICIAL STRATEGY GUIDE
Unknown
Manufacturer: PRIMA PUBLISHING
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000RXTJIO

Book Description

Whether you're a professional musician or a mere novice, Apple's GarageBand software has everything you need to produce commercial-quality recordings entirely on your own. Just imagine how many thousands of singers and instrumentalists remain undiscovered because they lack the capability to produce viable demos. Well, no more.

Now there's no need to assemble a backup band or book time at a professional studio--GarageBand has it covered. And GarageBand 2: The Missing Manual gives you the know-how you need to make it all happen. It's an authoritative, witty guide to constructing digital recordings with GarageBand.

Written by the master of the Missing Manual series, and a musician himself, David Pogue, this top-selling book shows you how to maximize the program's entire set of tools. Pre-recorded loops, sampled sounds, live recordings--they're all explained in easy-to-understand language. It also shows you how to apply professional-sounding effects like reverb or chorusing, and then export the finished product to iTunes, where you can download your work to an iPod, export it as an MP3, or burn it onto CDs.

Now revised to reflect GarageBand's latest features, this book's second edition also addresses how to:

use GarageBand's eight-track capabilities
display music notation in real time
enhance timing and pitch for better quality recordings
change the tempo and key of recorded instruments
tune guitars with GarageBand before recording

So if you're chasing a dream or just having fun, GarageBand 2: The Missing Manual is the only resource you need to make the finest musical recordings possible.

Customer Reviews:

BAND ON THE RUN! BAND ON THE RUN!.......2006-05-06

Would you like to be able to create professional sounding musical recordings? If you would, you're in luck! Author David Pogue, has done an outstanding job of writing a book that will guide you through a long list of enhancements, large and small, that make GarageBand a better musical tool than ever before.

Pogue, begins by introducing you to GarageBand. Then, he discusses Loops. The author continues by showing you how to manipulate regions in general--but these techniques are especially useful for manipulating loops. Next, he explores software instruments (MIDI). Then, the author shows you how to edit the software instrument parts. He continues by showing you how to record and edit live audio. Next, he deals with effects, guitar amps, and instrument modules. The author continues by describing how to wrap up your workflow in GarageBand and present it to a wider audience. Then, he introduces a few of the coolest ways to enhance GarageBand's repertoire, suggests where you might go when you decide it's time to graduate to more powerful (and expensive) music software, and points out some Web sites where you can learn more about GarageBand. Next, he presents the accumulated wisdom of thousands of online GarageBand fans sharing their workarounds, plus Apple's own suggestions. Finally, he shows you how to troubleshoot GarageBand.

Don't let the rumors fool you. This most excellent book may be simple, but it isn't simplistic.

Great for anyone working with GarageBand.......2006-03-20

GarageBand is not aimed at professional musicians. Instead it is intended to help amateurs produce music easily. The application comes with 1,000 pre-recorded sampled loops, plus 50 sampled or synthesized instruments which can be played using a MIDI keyboard connected to the computer, or using an on-screen keyboard. This is a complex piece of software, thus enters David Pogue and his "Missing Manual" series to explain it all.
The book has three parts. Part 1 deals with how to construct and edit a song or composition in GarageBand. Pogue explains how to use GarageBand loops (repeated musical patterns) and how to create original material. The most helpful feature in this section is the tutorial that takes the reader through the construction of a composition using loops. Pogue offers a couple of ideas about constructing music for those new to the process.
The pluses and minuses of using the onscreen digital piano, the Mac keyboard as a piano, and using a MIDI keyboard are discussed. Pogue supplies information needed about additional equipment and software to enhance GarageBand. Websites are listed where equipment and software additions can be purchased and downloaded. Pogue lists prices and states what can be expected from each purchase. He also lists many sites where information, tutorials and software are available free.
Part 2 tells you how to mix tracks and export music to post it on a website, how to export it to iTunes, how to burn it to a CD, or how to use it as background music in iMovie, iPhoto, or iDVD. The problem with GarageBand is overcoming the amount of memory and power it requires, so there is troubleshooting information as well as recommendations about shareware add-ons and Web sites to visit for additional help.
The Appendices round out the book with invaluable information about all of the menus, keyboard shortcuts, and a section on musical concepts for the non-musician.
Pogue is an entertaining writer who is very capable at explaining difficult concepts to novices without boring veterans. GarageBand was designed to enable the writing of music with little or no musical training, and Pogue writes so that the music theory involved in the program can be grasped by the inexperienced. I'm a person whose limited knowledge of music and music theory is self-taught, and I found this book very accessible and enjoyable. I guess the best judge of this book's quality is how much my stepson, who is a musician, has been enjoying it and GarageBand. He's never been one for the books, but he's practically joined at the hip with this one.
I notice Amazon does not show the table of contents, so I do that here for the purpose of completeness:
PART 1: BUILDING A HIT
1. Setting Up the Garage
Equipment Requirements; Installing GarageBand; Opening GarageBand; Playback; Cycling; Navigating the Music; Two Kinds of Music; Tracks; Muting and Soloing Tracks
2. Loops
Starting a New GarageBand Project; The Loop Browser; Placing a Loop; More Loops
3. Regions
Selecting Regions; Renaming Regions; Dragging Regions; The Grid; Looping Regions; Shortening Regions I; Shortening Regions II; Lengthening Regions; Splitting Regions; Joining Regions; Copy and Paste; Option Drag; Delete; Tutorial for Non-Musicians
4. Software Instruments (MIDI)
How To Feed a Hungry GarageBand; Your Free On-Screen Digital Piano; The Mac Keyboard as Piano; MIDI Synths and Controllers; Recording a MIDI Track; Retakes; Spot Recording; Cumulative Recording; Mod Wheels and Other MIDI Fun
5. Editing Software Instruments
The Track Editor; Notation Editing; The Encyclopedia of MIDI Editing; Transposing Notes or Regions; Quantizing; Velocity, Pedaling, and Other MIDI Data
6. Recording and Editing Live Audio
The Setup; Recording a Live Audio Track; Editing Real Instrument Regions; Enhance Timing, Enhance Tuning
7. Effects, Guitar Amps, and Instrument Modules
Instrument-Named Presets; Save Instrument, Deleted Instrument; Effect Modules
PART 2: BEYOND THE GARAGE
8. Mixing and Publishing
Mixing Tracks; The Master Track; Publishing the Song; Your Music in iPhoto, iMovie, and iDVD
9. Adding On, Moving Up
Making Your Own Apple Loops; Moving Your Loops to Another Drive;
Importing MIDI Files; Import iTunes Music Store Files (SoundFlower); More Free Software Instruments (SoundFonts); The iSight as Microphone; Save as Archive; The Instrument Tuner; Re-Wire; Build Your Own Instrument Loops (iDrum); Add an E-Z Chords Feature (ReMIDI); Beyond GarageBand; GarageBand Online
10. The Speed Chapter
Set the Stage; Mute Some Tracks; Lock Some Tracks; Temporarily Squelch the Effects; Combine Tracks; Enlarge Your Buffer; Lose Some Software Instrument Voices; Reduce the Track Overhead; Convert Software Instrument Loops; Turn Monitoring Off; Bounce Down Many Tracks into One; Install More Memory
11. Troubleshooting
Trouble with Loops; Recording and Editing Problems; Mixing and Publishing Glitches;
APPENDIXES
A. The GarageBand Music Course
B. GarageBand, Menu by Menu
C. GarageBand 2 Keyboard Shortcuts

Much more than a Manual.......2006-03-18

David Pogue's, "GarageBand 2: The Missing Manual" is much more than a Manual for GarageBand 2. It is a treasure-trove of tips and tricks, a detailed-yet-comprehensible resource, and it is the best non-periodical Computer publication I have had the joy to read.

Whether you are a weekend Musician with little more experience than "chopsticks" on your Aunt's piano, or you are a Conservatory-Educated Musician with a degree in Music Performance, "GarageBand 2: The Missing Manual" has something for you.

David Pogue writes with a level-headed voice, presenting the information slowly while always giving the reader a sense of excitement. I found myself putting down the book for several days, just after reading something new from Mr. Pogue.

My, "I just gotta try that!" excitement is balanced by the "Wow!" factor of learning a keystroke that I did not know existed, or finally learning in plain terms, or most importantly how to double the speed of GarageBand 2.

If you are using GarageBand 2 and looking for "The" Manual to purchase, this is it.

Thank you, David Pogue!

Good Info.......2006-02-24

This is a readable, technically insightful, USABLE guide. Its relaxed tone makes the work of learning easier.

JG

Master Garage Band with this book!.......2005-10-28

In the Introduction, Pogue explains why GarageBand can contribute to the democratization of the music world. You don't have to pay $1000 an hour to rent a recording studio, because of the Internet, you don't have to wait for a record label (and music stores) to agree to carry your music.

Early on, he differentiates between digital audio and MIDI data - the two kinds of music that GarageBand can process. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so he spends time later in the book helping you understand the value and limitations of each and when is the best time to use them.

Do not fret if you never used GarageBand 1, as he explains everything you need to get up to speed and start recording like a pro. How to use the timeline, regions (music loops), and construct a masterpiece. If you want to get your music into iPhoto, iMovie or iDVD, he shows you how (page 164).

He also goes over what's new in GarageBand 2, and tells you how to master all of the features. He covers topics such as multiple-track recording (hurray!), ability to import MIDI files, and how to use the on-screen electronic tuner for tuning your guitar (or other tunable instrument - page 184).

Pogue explains a new Musical Typing feature using your Apple keyboard, if you don't have a music keyboard handy (page 72). And he shows you how you can turn any musical lick into an Apple Loop (page 171 - yes!). If you are working with MIDI instruments, you can now do that in sheet-music view (page 92)!

There is no accompanying CD-ROM, but inside the back cover is the URL where you will find a nice list of shareware that is described in the book for use with GarageBand. It is all there for downloading. By giving you the URL instead of a CD, you save $5.00 off the cover price.

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