20 Best Filmmaking Books

Are you looking for the best filmmaking books? If so, you're not alone. Thousands of people turn to the internet each day to find books that they can purchase and have delivered right to their doorsteps.

The good news is that there are a number of great filmmaking books. The bad news is that with so many options, it can be hard to know where to start.

To help you make the best decision, we've compiled a list of some of the best-selling 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 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. 3
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. 4
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. 5
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. 6
Filmmaking For Dummies
  • Stoller, Bryan Michael (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 448 Pages - 11/26/2019 (Publication Date) - For Dummies (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 7
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. 8
Girls on Film: Lessons from a Life of Watching Women in Movies
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Malone, Alicia (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 199 Pages - 03/15/2022 (Publication Date) - Mango Media (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 9
What Film Schools Don’t Tell You: Your Basic Guide to Making Movies and Finding Good Distribution
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Schwarze, Kelly (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 291 Pages - 03/01/2019 (Publication Date) - Indie Film Factory, LLC (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 10
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. 11
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. 12
Cinematography: Theory and Practice: For Cinematographers and Directors
  • Brown, Blain (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 510 Pages - 09/28/2021 (Publication Date) - Routledge (Publisher)
SaleBestseller No. 13
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. 14
Premiere Pro for Filmmakers (The Digital Filmmaking Handbook Presents)
  • Amazon Kindle Edition
  • Schenk, Sonja (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 342 Pages - 02/20/2020 (Publication Date) - Foreing Films Publishing (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 15
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)
SaleBestseller No. 16
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. 17
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. 18
Filmmaking
  • Tomaric, Jason (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 532 Pages - 01/22/2011 (Publication Date) - Routledge (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 19
Fast, Cheap & Under Control: Lessons Learned from the Greatest Low-Budget Movies of All Time (Fast, Cheap Filmmaking Books)
  • Gaspard, John (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
  • 380 Pages - 03/23/2012 (Publication Date) - CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (Publisher)
Bestseller No. 20
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)

If you love to read, there's nothing better than finding to buy new filmmaking books in your collection. But with so many options available, how do you know which ones are worth your time and money?

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

  1. Check out online reviews. With so many different opinions out there, it can be tough to know which books are actually worth reading. Checking out online reviews from trusted sources can help you narrow down your options.
  2. Consider the price. It's important to find books that fit your budget. Fortunately, there are plenty of great options available at a variety of price points.
  3. Look for deals and discounts. Many online retailers offer discounts on certain filmmaking books, so it's worth checking around to see if you can snag a good deal.
  4. 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.
  5. Go beyond the bestsellers. Bestselling filmmaking books are often popular for a reason, but don't be afraid to explore other titles that may not be as well-known. You might be surprised at what you find!
  6. Make sure you check the shipping policy before you buy anything. Many online retailers offer free shipping, but sometimes it comes with a catch - like a minimum order amount.
  7. If you're not sure about a store's return policy, give them a call or send them an email to ask. Most online stores will allow you to return items within a certain time frame, but some have stricter policies than others.
  8. Be sure to choose a store that accepts the payment method you're most comfortable with. Some stores only accept credit cards, while others accept other forms of payment.
  9. Trust your gut. Ultimately, you should choose the book that feels right for you. If something doesn't feel quite right, don't force yourself to read it. There are plenty of other great books out there!
  10. Take your time. There's no rush when it comes to finding new filmmaking books to read. So, take your time browsing, and don't feel like you need to make a purchase right away.

With these tips in mind, you should be able to find the best filmmaking books. Happy reading!