Books published by Michael Wiese Productions

Some of todays top television writers and producers share their insight and explain the unique craft of writing a drama series for television and how the industry really works.

The Sound Effects Bible is a complete guide to recording and editing sound effects. The book covers topics such as microphone selection, field recorders, the ABCs of digital audio, understanding Digital Audio Workstations, building your own Foley stage, and more.

"How do you take an idea from inspiration to manifestation? How do you move from telling a story to creating a world? In this richly illustrated book, the first of its kind written specifically for writers, Kerrison lays out the craft of immersive storytelling. She uses case studies to show what works, and highlights the essential role of the writer on a complex creative team. Ready to take the kernel of an idea and turn it into a full-fledged experience? This book gives you the blueprint"--

The Hollywood Standard describes in clear, vivid prose and hundreds of examples how to format every element of a screenplay or television script. A reference for everyone who writes for the screen, from the novice to the veteran, this is the dictionary of script format, with instructions for formatting everything from the simplest master scene heading to the most complex and challenging musical underwater dream sequence. This new edition includes a quick start guide, plus new chapters on avoiding a dozen deadly formatting mistakes, clarifying the difference between a spec script and production script, and mastering the vital art of proofreading. For the first time, readers will find instructions for formatting instant messages, text messages, email exchanges and caller ID.

Screenwriters must understand human behavior to make their stories come alive. This book clearly describes theories of personality and psychoanalysis with simple guidelines, thought provoking exercises, vivid film images and hundreds of examples from classic movies.

Aimed at both the head and the heart, The Defining Moment plumbs the depths of the most memorable characters ever to appear on the screen, the stage or the page. The book focuses on those moments so pivotal in a character's formation that they create a distinct boundary of before and after, moments without which the character couldn't exist and moments through which characters can transform before our eyes. Writers, actors and storytellers of all stripes will discover a powerful new key to unlock any character they seek to develop, write or portray. They may even unlock a deeper understanding of themselves. Features: The first in-depth study of the essential principles that will redefine the way storytellers understand their characters and themselves. Essential insights into the forces that create character Dozens of examples of character-defining moments from film, television, theater and literature An exploration of pivotol moments: birth, death, discovery, decision-making, injury and healing An examination of how writers and actors employ defining moments in their deepest and most unforgettable works Insights into how directors, editors, cinematographers and composers dramatize key moments Practical exercises for defining and redefining character Tips for discovering the moments that matter most Deeply personal stories from the authors' lives to illustrate the variety of moments that define us. For every storyteller, no matter their medium, The Defining Moment will redefine the way they understand their characters and themselves.

A Sense of Dread features three main sections. 1) A detailed examination of the biological, psychological, and cultural bases of fear. What fears do we share with animals? What fears are uniquely human? What fears have we learned from our culture? From our families? From our experiences growing up? And what, exactly, is the difference between fear and dread? 2) A Sense of Dread then combines these ideas to explore the roots of human fear and apply them to storytelling for the screen. The Toolbox of Dread outlines the techniques for creating terror on the page. A wide array of horror subgenres are also explored, including why they exist, and what challenges each presents to the horror screenwriter. 3) Author Neal Marshall Stevens puts Theory into Practice, using examples from his own work to demonstrate how to apply his toolbox and the principles of Dread to put real scares into the pages of a screenplay. Finally, we seek to answer the question many people ask: What are you afraid of?

Becoming a director is not just about making a film, webseries, commercial, or music video. The opportunity to direct for television is not a given because youve successfully completed a project in another medium. Turning your passion into your profession requires the ability to make transitions at the exact moment a pivot is needed, with creativity and confidence. Chatmons book helps directors across all mediums shape their career with targeted anecdotes, worksheets, and other resources, all of which fall into three designated categories: How-To, Self-Help, and Inspiration.

"This book helps film directors make their way through postproduction and explains what to expect from an editor. From thinking about editing during the shoot to hiring an editor to spotting and mixing sound and music, to delineating the purpose and types of VFX to completing a project with final sound, music, visuals, titles, DI, and color grading, the book covers all the practical aspects directors need to know. Along the way it details the history of editing, demystifies how editors approach cutting the footage and coaches the directors on how to best work with an editor to create and perfect the story and their vision of the film"--

Action and suspense films have almost always been made by 'seat of the pants' filmmakers. Crafting their films on gut instinct and intuition their innate talent often leads them to exciting results. Badham examines and explains the elements of action and suspense that are needed to make a great film. Badham also dissects the elements of any good scene from any genre of film and gives valuable tools that the reader can apply in directing and acting for maximum impact.This edition features a brand new section: The Director's Survival Guide to Episodic Television and explores the political danger zones faced in the ever expanding world of Streaming, Cable and Network television. Badham has created a much needed First Aid Kit for all directors and the newly expanded list of "14 Must Ask Questions Before Rehearsal"- an absolute essential in any filmmakers toolbox. Intended for actors, directors, cinematographers, production designers or other creatives, Badham gives you the tools to deconstruct and understand your scenes. Continuing the work begun in Badham's best-selling book "I'll Be In My Trailer" he shares more insights from talented directors on how they work with the difficult actor, rehearsal techniques and getting the best performance from any actor whether novice or pro.

"Éoffers a unique culinary glimpse into how films really get made, sold, and released on a global scale from a veteran screenwriter who knows the secret to a successful film career is in the ingredients, not the meal."--Scott Beck & Bryan Woods, writers, WGA Award Nominees for A Quiet Place. Place.

The team of Diamond and Weissman have been writing movies and mentoring filmmakers for decades. In this practical guide, they take the aspiring writer by the hand and guide them through the logistics and tools of writing an attention-grabbing, audience-pleasing screenplay. Readers will learn the interests and needs of managers, agents, producers, executives, financiers, directors, and actors. Diamond and Weissman attribute their phenomenal success to a career-long focus on the motives and priorities of film sponsors and benefactors.Whether it's a theatrical release or a streaming movie, a major, big-budget tent pole or an intimate, character-driven indie drama, Diamond and Weissman apply their time-tested approach. This fresh way of thinking will resonate with writers, industry professionals, and cinephiles excited to peek under the hood at what makes their favorite films tick.Bulletproof is the rare screenwriting instructional penned by authors with both massive credits and decades of business experience. It is poised to take its place as one of the must-reads of the genre.

Everything you need, from getting the script right, to the edit being tight, is laid out in an informal and easily digestible style. Making Your First Blockbuster covers not only all the major components but delves deep into the nuances that make the big blockbusters really deliver. T

Filmmaking can be a complicated and risky adventure, but Making the Magic Happen shows you why directing a movie is actually simpler than you think. The trick is to properly learn the "e;craft"e; of filmmak-ing first, and then adapt your logistical and creative skills to the "e;art"e; of filmmaking.